P.E.I. to update circus regulations
Last Updated: Monday, June 2, 2008 10:51 AM AT
The Associated Press
Prince Edward Island's environment minister says he wants to look at updating the regulations for travelling circuses to ensure animals are being treated humanely.
'We want animals to be cared for in a humane way and a safe way.'—George Webster, minister of environment
George Webster said it's been a long time since anyone looked at the rules that govern travelling circuses on the Island.
"Obviously we want animals to be cared for in a humane way and a safe way. And you know maybe now is the time to take a peek at this and make some changes."
Webster says those changes won't be made before Fabuleux Cirque Estival, from Montreal, arrives this Friday on P.E.I.
Last week, the P.E.I. Humane Society released an inspection report conducted last year by a team of four vets and two students who looked at the Fabuleux Cirque Estival.
The vets concluded the animals were in good shape, but there were serious concerns over what measures would be in place if one of the animals escaped, or attacked someone. The vets also found several examples where the circus would not have met Nova Scotia standards.
Nova Scotia does not allow social animals such as lions, elephants, zebras or camels to be exhibited without a partner. The circus did have two lions, but the rest of the animals were by themselves. Nova Scotia doesn't allow the public to ride the elephants. Fabuleux Cirque Estival did.
Norma Guy, president of the P.E.I. Humane Society, said she hopes the province will follow Nova Scotia's lead.
Louis Leonard, the manager of Fabuleux Cirque Estival, said he supports the idea of updating the P.E.I. laws.
"We want to be part of a discussion … but at the same time we want them to be good rules, just not anything to ban circuses, because we believe in circuses."
Leonard said he will meet Webster and other officials from the Environment Department later this week to discuss proposed changes to laws.
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P.E.I. to update circus regulations Last Updated: Monday, June 2, 2008 10:51 AM AT The Associated Press Prince Edward Island's environme...
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