Tuesday, 22 June 2010 10:20

The organization Animal Defenders International (ADI) is pleased to know that the law prohibiting the use of animals in circuses in Peru is in its final stage. On June 17, 2010, the Board of Spokesmen of the Peruvian Congress issued an agreement stating that the bill should be discussed in Parliament as a priority. The bill prohibits the use of animals in circuses was originally presented by Congressmen and Jose Alejandro Rebaza Urquizo.

After an intense political campaign led by ADI, the project was approved by a majority of members of the Land Commission and the Commission of Andean and Ecology. The bill has been on a waiting list for their final debate in Parliament while the Board of Spokesmen reached an agreement.



The last session of the plenary will take place this week, previoa a break in legislative activity. Congress has a lot of bills to be discussed, why it is expected that if the ban on animal circuses are not discussed in this week, will be sent to the Standing Committee for approval before the end of July.



The launch of the campaign "Stop the Suffering in the Circus" in Peru, which was conducted with the support of other animal protection groups Peruvian revealed a disturbing vision behind the scenes of the circus industry in Peru. ADI researchers covertly worked in circuses, and observed:

- A group of at least four lions whipped and pulled their tails to force them to act. The group lived in small cages in the back of a truck, without access to natural light.

- A coach who violently pushed an ocelot and a capuchin monkey. These animals were confined in small wooden boxes, were kept tied up and exposed directly to the public.

- Three bears living in a space just enough to be able to move in cages in the back of a truck. His only exercise was to leave the show and back.

The Peruvian government was severely impacted by the conditions that these animals have to endure. As a result, National Health Service (SENASA), the Natural Resources Institute (INRENA) and the Board of Park Legends favored the adoption of the draft Law More recently, the Ministry of Agriculture urged Congress to pass this legislation and, temporarily, issued a resolution approving a technical regulation for the care of exotic and wild animals in circuses.

Jan Creamer, ADI's Executive Director took action saying: "We urge the Peruvian Congress in a special way to give the final approval of the bill that prohibits the use of animals in circuses. This project is a definitive example of progressive legislation, and bring the Peruvian Congress as an example to follow in South America, in the same way that the Bolivian Congress did a year ago. We are very pleased to have the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and commend the efforts of Senator Urquizo to bring the project up to this point. "