By NOEL MURPHY
SURF Coast Shire has banned circuses with caged exotic animals despite operators’ pleas to prove their welfare credentials.
The decision will frustrate the circus industry, which has argued against confusing “animal rights extremism” with animal welfare. The industry has also questioned the role of Mayor Margot Smith, an RSPCA director, in spearheading the ban.
The RSPCA helped draft the circus federation’s code of conduct. Cr Smith cited the RSPCA earlier this year in a notice of motion seeking the ban.
Cr Smith told the Independent she “was not involved in the vote or discussion” when council banned the circuses this week.
An officer report to council said the ban sought to “make a statement about improving the environment for wild/exotic animals used in circuses and events”.
“The policy aims to implement the council decision to not support circuses with caged wild animals reflecting broader social concerns in relation to the appropriate treatment of animals.”
The council ban was predicated on concerns raised about a tethered elephant at Torquay some years ago.
The council did not undertake community consultation prior to the ban or respond to Eroni’s Circus’s request to perform locally as a case study.
“It’s important to note that this position isn’t about marginalising circuses at all – there are fantastic circuses that perform around Australia without the need to cage wild or exotic animals for their performances,” Cr Smith said.
“Attitudes and community perceptions have moved on and we’re responding to that.”
