I AM a regular reader of the BEN and have also been involved in a number of articles and letters concerning animal welfare issues. (As have other animal lovers).

Therefore, I was very disappointed to see our local paper supporting animal cruelty, in your Clowning Around article.

There are not many circuses around any more, that use animal acts, as they are outdated and considered cruel by the majority of the public and animal charities, such as the RSPCA. The Bolton Council have banned performing animals on any of their land because of public outcry. Yet it is being glamorised by someone who clearly doesn't care about animal welfare.

Your article stated that the Bobby Roberts Circus has won awards, and you give all the features of the show a good write-up. Therefore I'm sure the circus could do just as well without causing distress to wild animals.

Elephants and the other animals that are used in circuses, are beautiful and intelligent creatures. They should be in the wild of their own country, not parading around a ring and being forced to perform stupid tricks. This is both degrading and unnatural. And when the animals have finished in the ring, they go back to the small confinements in which they are kept until the next performance.

Your reporter Angelina Aspinall says that meeting 'Janey' -- an Indian elephant was "the experience of a lifetime", yet she made the elephant look ridiculous posing for silly photos.

Seeing animals in these situations do nothing for the public and certainly don't educate children. How can children respect animals if they are taught to laugh at them? If you want to show your children these amazing animals, then show them a nature video, because the circus shows a total disrespect for animals. z

You speak highly of Bobby Roberts Circus, yet I wonder if you would have had the same warm welcome and response if you were reporting anti-circus issues.

I really don't think that this kind of entertainment should be promoted. And I urge others who care about animals to boycott this and any other animal using circus.

Nicola Powell

Lever Edge Lane

Gt Lever, Bolton

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