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Animal Defenders International

Peruvian Congress to ban the use of animals in circuses

Posted: 22 June 2010. Updated: 20 July 2010

Animal Defenders International (ADI) is thrilled that a law banning the use of animals in circuses is within reach in Peru.

On 17th June 2010, the Board of Spokespersons of the Peruvian Congress issued an agreement stating that the bill should be discussed in the Plenary as a priority.

The bill banning the use of animals in circuses was tabled by Congressmen Alejandro Rebaza and Jose Urquizo (pictured). Following an intensive political campaign led by ADI, the bills were approved by majority in the Agrarian Commission and in the Andean Peoples and Ecology Commission. The bill has been on a long waiting list, pending the agreement of the Board of Spokespersons, for its final debate in the Plenary.

The last session of the Plenary will take place this week, before it goes into recess. There is a substantial number of bills to be discussed; however, it is expected that if the bill banning animal circuses is not discussed it will then be sent to the Permanent Commission and approved before the end of July.

The launch of ADI´s Stop Circus Suffering campaign in Peru, along with the support of local Peruvian groups, uncovered a disturbing insight behind the scenes of Peru’s circus industry. ADI’s field officers worked undercover in the circuses and observed:

• A group of at least 4 lions being punched and pulled by their tails and hit to force them to perform. The group was living in small cages in the back of a truck, without access to natural light.
• A trainer violently pushing and pulling an ocelot and a capuchin monkey. These animals lived confined in wooden cages, kept tied up and exposed to the public.
• Three bears barely able to move in their cages at the back of a truck. Their only exercise was to go in and out of the ring to perform.

The Peruvian Government was outraged to see the conditions that these animals had to endure. As a result, the National Health Service (SENASA), the National Institute of Natural Resources (INRENA) and the Board of Directors of Las Leyendas Park, spoke in favour of the bill. Most recently, the Ministry of Agriculture urged the Congress to pass legislation and as a temporary measure, issued a resolution on the care of wild and exotic animals in circuses.

Jan Creamer, Chief Executive of ADI said: “We urge the Plenary of the Peruvian Congress to give its final approval to the bill banning the use of animals in circuses. This bill is a definitive example of progressive legislation and will set the Peruvian Congress as an example in South America, just as the Bolivian Congress did a year ago. We are delighted to have the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and praise the efforts of Congressman Urquizo for driving the bill to this stage.”

ADI has a new site providing background information for Peruvian members of Congress. View it here.

Read more:
The amendment to Peru’s Animal Protection Law number 27265 to ban animal circuses was initiated by Congressman Mr. José Antonio Urquizo Maggia of the Nationalist Party and Congressman Mr. Alejandro Arturo Rebaza Martell of the Peruvian APRISTA Party - Read more...

Find out more about the Stop Circus Suffering campaign in Peru - Click here

Scientific evidence against animals in circuses - Click here

Special thanks to the following groups: Unidos por los Animales (UPA), Amazon Shelter, Perú Antitaurino, Amar, Conciencia Animal and Orca.

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