Issue - meetings

The use of performing animals within circuses is becoming more controversial and there is increasing public concern about the welfare of animals in circuses.  This report to members proposes that the Council adopts a policy regarding animals at events in  Council owned parks and open spaces. 

that approval be given the adoption of a policy regarding use of animals at events across the  boroughs in parks and open spaces which:

(a)       Does not permit animals that come under the Schedule ‘Kinds of Dangerous Wild Animals’ in the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (Modification) (No.2) Order 2007, to be allowed to be part of any event including circuses and funfairs on the  Council’s parks and open spaces.

(b)       Does not permit the provision of live creatures as prizes at any event including circuses and funfairs on the  Council’s parks and open spaces.

(c)        Does permit animals that do not come under the Schedule ‘Kinds of Dangerous Wild Animals’ in the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (Modification) (No.2) Order 2007 to be part of an event including circuses and funfairs on the Councils parks and open spaces. This would therefore allow for example dog shows, performing horses and falconry displays to take place. 

The Lead Member (Environment and Neighbourhoods) advised that the need for the Council to agree a policy regarding the use of performing animals at events in council owned parks and open spaces was highlighted when a request was received for tigers to perform within the borough and given increasing public concern about the welfare of animals in circuses.  He drew attention to the definition of wild animals as set out in legislation and also that the policy would prohibit live animals being given away as prizes. The Council had previously also endorsed the principles of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

RESOLVED:

that approval be given to the adoption of a policy regarding use of animals at events across the Council’s parks and open spaces which:

(a)       does not permit animals that come under the Schedule ‘Kinds of Dangerous Wild Animals’ in the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (Modification) (No.2) Order 2007, to be allowed to be part of any event including circuses and funfairs on the Council’s parks and open spaces;

(b)       does not permit the provision of live creatures as prizes at any event including circuses and funfairs on the Council’s parks and open spaces;

(c)        does permit animals that do not come under the Schedule ‘Kinds of Dangerous Wild Animals’ in the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (Modification) (No.2) Order 2007 to be part of an event including circuses and funfairs on the Council’s parks and open spaces. (This would therefore allow for example dog shows, performing horses and falconry displays to take place).