Anti-animal abuse group threatens to picket Centurion circus
"Until such time as SA is on the same level as most countries internationally - which have banned the use of wild animals and/or domesticated animals in circuses - BAT will continue to protest to get the truth to the public."
An animal rights organisation is expected to lead a protest against the McLaren circus when it goes to Centurion on Saturday.
Ban Animal Trading (BAT), along with residents of the area, are against the use of animals in the circus.
“We are against the use of animals to entertain people, which is exactly what animal circuses are about,” BAT’s Dr Smargda Louw said.
She said it was “pathetic” that wild animals were reduced to performing “silly” tricks to entertain people.
ALSO READ: Ban Animal Trading thanks Centurion for support
“Until such time as SA is on the same level as most countries internationally – which have banned the use of wild animals and/or domesticated animals in circuses – BAT will continue to protest to get the truth to the public,” she said.
However, the owner of the circus David McLaren denied the allegations which he was “so used to”.
“Every week their accusations change,” he said.
McLaren added that he found it strange that the organisation was quick to accuse him of wrong-doing but went quiet whenever he challenged them.
“When you want to challenge these people they don’t want to talk to me.”
He said the accusations against him and his circus were a “witch-hunt” as his accusers had no “proof”.
McLaren questioned why no criminal charges were laid against him.
“Who’s laid charges because they’ve accused me of criminal offences?”
ALSO READ: Mclaren Circus is back in town
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