BY SEÁN P. FEENY
DONEGAL SPCA and the Animal Rights Action Network have staged a protest outside the well-known Tom Duffy’s Circus currently visiting Letterkenny.
Kathleen Murray, Donegal SPCA, said the protest was staged as part of an ongoing campaign to highlight the issue of cruelty to exotic animals in captivity.
The spokeswoman said it was not a personal attack at the circus, but rather a means of raising awareness of this issue and to put the discussion back on the table.
“Just because an animal is well fed, does not mean that it’s not suffering. We want people to understand that their mental health is equally important.
“Exotic animals can’t exhibit normal behaviour in captivity, whereas animals used in circuses such as dogs and ponies can still enjoy some freedom. It’s simple, wild and exotic animals do not belong in cages,” Ms Murray said.
In a statement the owners expressed disappointment over the protest.
“It is disappointing that the Donegal SPCA, an organisation that relies on donations from the public, at a time when there are so many abandoned animals, horses in particular, starving all over the country are protesting outside our circus, where our animals are well fed, warm and well looked after.”
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)