Media Release
8 September 2010
Moscow Circus fish act banned by NSW authorities
A
Great Moscow Circus act was halted by the NSW Department of Industry and Investment
yesterday after Animals Australia received several complaints from the public in Miranda, Sydney.
The circus act, which clearly upset members of the circus' audience, involved a woman swallowing
and regurgitating a live fish.
Executive Director of Animals Australia Glenys Oogjes said:
"Scientific research has shown that fish are capable of suffering and are therefore protected under
the NSW Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The Great Moscow Circus also contravened the
NSW Standards for Exhibiting Circus Animals which does not allow circuses to exhibit fish. We
welcome the quick action of the NSW Department to instruct the Moscow circus management to
withdraw the act".
"Circuses continue to claim that performing animal acts are educational. Far from educational, this
was an inhumane and foolish act which reflected badly on the Moscow Circus."
"Around the world many countries have introduced bans on keeping (exotic) animals in circuses
due to the suffering caused, and we would welcome similar bans here", concluded Ms Oogjes.
Media comment:
Glenys Oogjes 041 4312552
Animals Australia Inc. 37 O’Connell Street, North Melbourne 3051
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