Animal welfare groups urge PM to ban wild animals in circuses

Ten animal welfare organisations have written to the Prime Minister urging him to introduce a ban on wild animals in UK circuses. Dave Cameron is understood to have personally vetoed Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman’s plan to remove tigers and other animals from the big top. The groups, including the RSPCA, World Society for the Protection of Animals, and PETA, say the Government’s stated reason for doing a U-turn on a ban – the threat of legal action – is “a complete red herring.” They write: “The UK’s continued failure to ban the outdated practice of using wild animals in circuses, whilst many other countries have already done so, undermines the UK’s international reputation on animal welfare.” More than 25,000 people have signed The Independent’s petition calling for the Government to introduce a ban. To sign, click here (Independent.co.uk/circusanimals)