The McLaren Circus found itself in hot water after the Cape of Good Hope SPCA uncovered various animal welfare contraventions upon inspection.
Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse and Inspector Jeffrey Mfini approached the Circus on Monday, 28 March 2022 following reports by IOL regarding a group of protesters who gathered in Muizenberg over the weekend with placards that read “the circus is NOT fun for animals”.
Even though the circus management granted access, they reportedly denied the Cape of Good Hope SPCA the right to take photographs of the cages and concerns found.
The animal welfare organisation then issued a warning after the inspection yielded at least six contraventions of the Animal Protection Act, some of which needed to be addressed within 48 hours and others within 7 days.
The contraventions listed includes no access to drinking water for a lioness, who was found confined to the front compartment of the trailer housing/transporting the big cats, the dental state of three French Poodles and whether these dogs are fit for performance purposes, as well as no environmental enrichment for the big cats. “The wooden log currently being provided to the big cats in each exercise area is insufficient,” the Cape of Good Hope SPCA reports.
In addition to this, the animal enclosures/cages of the animals were found to be unhygienic, and an evident fly problem was brought into light, which needed to be addressed urgently.
“The warning was issued in terms of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 169 of 1993. Failure to comply with this warning may render McLaren Circus liable for prosecution under the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 and / or Performing Animals Protection Act 24 of 1935,” the animal welfare organisation adds.
Meanwhile, the McLaren Circus announced the postponement of their shows on Facebook after receiving a notice from The City of Cape Town that the event has been withdrawn until the Cape of Good Hope SPCA provides written confirmation that their requirements are met.
“Most of the points listed on the warnings were minor concerns and were attended to within a matter of minutes before the end of the day,” the Circus said.
While some people called this postponement “the best news ever” via Facebook comments, loyal supporters said that their children are disappointed, encouraging the McLaren Circus to keep its head high and continue to persevere.
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