Dog and Pony Rescued From New Momota Circus & Jadu, Following PETA India Complaint

A dog and a pony who were rescued from New Momota Circus & Jadu, which was camped at Digboi, Assam until last week by Assam’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, have reached their new sanctuary home. The animals were rescued following a complaint by PETA India to Dr Jayanta Kumar Goswami, who is Member Secretary of the State Animal Welfare Board and Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department. The circus was using animals for stage performances without the mandatory Performing Animals Registration Certificate (PARC) as required under the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001 (PARR, 2001). The dog was forced to leap from a height of 25-30 feet into a net, while the pony was struck and had his mouth forcefully pried open to display his teeth to the audience.

Several AWBI inspections and numerous investigations by PETA India prove that animal circuses are cruel. Even in circuses with valid PARCs, animals have been found chained or confined to small, barren cages when not being used for performances. Animals in circuses are deprived of adequate veterinary care, food, water, and shelter, and are forced to perform tricks through punishment. Many animals in circuses display stereotypic, repetitive behaviour indicative of extreme stress.