AN animal protection organisation has urged Barnsley's residents to boycott a circus.
Animal Defenders International (ADI) is calling on local residents to stay away from Circus Mondao's performances in Thurnscoe from October 16-20.
The circus is one of only two in England that still performs with wild animals.
Jan Creamer, chief executive of Animal Defenders International, said: "Animals with travelling circuses are on the road for almost the entire year. That means they have to endure constant transportation and live in rudimentary, temporary accommodation.
"Worse are the horrific abuses during training that Animal Defenders International has exposed behind the scenes in circuses, not just in the UK, but all over the world.
"We urge people in Thurnscoe to visit circuses with human only acts - those acts have a choice."
The suffering endured by animals in circuses is well documented and scientifically established. Given the constant travel and their temporary nature, circuses cannot provide animals with adequate facilities to keep them physically or psychologically healthy.
A circus animal’s life can also be, and often is, a violent one. Animal Defenders International has exposed circus cruelty at numerous circuses around the world, including the UK.
