NGO Takes Empire Circus and Maharashtra Government to Court
For Immediate Release:
23 November 2002
Contact:
Anuradha Sawhney (O) 98201 22602, Pradeep Rajagopal 98210 36706
Mumbai — Today People for the Ethcial treatment of Animals (PETA) filed a lawsuit against the state of Maharastra and the Empire circus currently in Mumbai. In the suit PETA alleges that the government and police are allowing the Empire Circus at Churchgate to store 20 banned animals. This is in violation of a May 2001 Supreme Court ruling and a government notification dated 14th October 1998.
Moreover, Empire Circus is not registered with the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and Rules thereunder, no animal should be made to perform by a circus without this registration.
The animals include 10 tigers, 9 lions (which includes a “liger”—a mix between a tiger and a lion) and 1 bear who are being forced to live out their lives traveling from city to city in cages hardly bigger than the size of their bodies.
After running from pillar to post, PETA represented by Advocate Mr Pradeep Rajagopal, has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court.
During investigations of Empire Circus, PETA documented many cases of cruelty. Among them were: elephants being shackled by 3 legs, horses tied with small ropes, dogs kept in tiny cages, and cockatoos confined to cages that do not even have a perch, forcing them to hang on the side.
Senior Bombay Veterinary College doctors led by Dr. Bakshi checked the conditions of the animals and amongst other points, found that some of the dogs had corneal ulcers, 2 of the lions had wounds on their legs, one had a hurt jaw, a tiger had dental problems making it difficult for him to eat, and the elephants had wounds on their legs which were not helped by the constant chaining they have to undergo. One lion died only two weeks ago because the circus did not provide him with veterinary care on time.
The circus is also breeding lions and tigers, despite the fact that it is not even supposed to keep them, and implying that it has no intention to stop exhibiting banned animals. These cats are cruelly relegated to small, filthy and rickety cages that pose a threat of escape and of possible attacks on members of the public.
‘Circus trainers use whips, muzzles, electric prods or bullhooks to force animals to perform confusing and often painful acts,’ says Circus Campaigns Coordinator Dharmesh Solanki. ‘Between acts, elephants are kept shackled and chained, and lions, tigers and bears are driven mad by being confined in cages so small, they can barely turn around.’
For more information on PETA, please visit PETAIndia.com. Photos are available upon request.
