Protest Against Arts Council Funding of Animal Circuses
Arts Council protest
The Alliance for Animal Rights held another protest outside the Arts Council office in Dublin on 27th March 2007 to oppose the Council’s funding of animal circuses.
This year, the Arts Council gave €160,000 to three animal circuses - Duffy's, Fossett's and Circus Gerbola - an increase of €65,000 over the previous years funding.
Working with CAPS and the newly-formed Circus Watch Ireland, AFAR has been calling on the Arts Council to fund only all-human circuses.
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The protest was covered by the media and the previous day the Irish Independent carried a story about the campaign, quoting Nuala Donlon of Circus Watch Ireland: "Circus animals are the forgotten animals. Current legislation has no provision specifically relating to the use of animals in circuses - so while a dog has to be licensed, hippos, rhinos, tigers and elephants can be dragged around the country and no licence is required."
For more details on how to support the campaign to persuade the Arts Council to stop funding animal circuses click here.