McLaren Circus denies all allegations of animal abuse
Critter Rescue SA (CRSA) have this week been protesting outside the circus, which has set up in Atlasville, specifically in regard to the use of live animals.
McLaren Circus have strongly denied the validity of any allegation against them.
While the CRSA said they were against any industry that uses animals for entertainment, Karl Hildebrandt of McLaren Circus said they did not see CRSA standing outside any horse racecourse or training stables, to air their opinion.
“They have spent donors money to print posters against our business, but have never bothered to contact us to find out how we operate. Have they ever supported an animal free circus in South Africa, where are the receipts?” said Hildebrandt.
Hildebrandt also questioned the allegation that circus animals were kept in cages, and their welfare could not be fully addressed in such circumstances.
“What are these welfare concerns? We have never been approached with legitimate evidence that any our animals are suffering any kind of welfare concerns. How do you include this without substance or evidence?”
Concerning remarks by the SPCA that the training methods circuses use on animals are inhumane, Hildebrandt said the Boksburg SPCA had inspected them in the past.
“We have never used any form of inhumane practices when training our animals. We understand the risks involved in injuring and forcing any animals to do something they are not comfortable with.
“The SPCA is known for hosting dog shows as fund-raisers. What is the difference between a dog performing at a fund-raiser show of the SPCA and the dog performing at the circus?
“We have always played open cards with the media, and always assist media in gaining direct feedback with any requests. We know how important it is to constantly engage.
“Animal welfare organisations, such as the NSPCA, oppose the use of animals in any form of entertainment. The organisation, however, would never vouch for the love and care we put into our animal’s well-being.
“We trust that our supporters and paying community spread their opinions after viewing their good condition.
“The circus is not about fighting the animals right’s activists. We are here to present an enjoyable family show with amazing human talent, and showcasing the interaction between humans and animals, and the animals’ amazing natural abilities.
“Animal rights core purpose is to reject speciesism and also opposes the use and abuse of animals in any way, as food, clothing, entertainment, or research subjects.
“They fight a bigger cause than just circus. They are against supermarkets that sell meat, leather products, horse riding, zoos and animal testing.
“This is also very strange because a vast majority of the protesters standing outside McLaren Circus, picketing volunteer at zoos, ride horse, eat meat or rely on medicines that were tested on animals.”
