Following in the recent footsteps of New York City and India, Italy have made the move to close 100 circuses, saving 2000 animals in the process.
Over 70% of Italian citizens were in support of the ban, with organisations Animal Defenders International (ADI) and Lega Anti Vivisezione (LAV) working solidly to persuade legislators to seal the deal. Their efforts have paid off, as the Italian 1968 circus and traveling exhibition law that allowed animals to be used for entertainment is now due to be reversed, after unwaveringly remaining in place for nearly 50 years.
Last week, the Italian Assembly of Parliament put the wheels in motion and signed a bill to ban every single traveling show and circus exploiting animals in the country.
Through educating lawmakers on the animal cruelty that takes place in traveling shows and circuses, 30 years of campaigning on the part of LAV has now come to fruition. ADI and LAV worked closely together to convince the Italian Senate by showing them a dramatic documentary that depicted ADI rescuing 25 lions that had been cruelly held captive in circuses in Bolivia.
President of ADI, Jan Creamer, stated ‘Through ADI’s undercover investigations, we have shown the violence and abuse that is used to force these animals to obey and perform tricks. We applaud Italy.’ Creamer then added a plea for more countries to join the Italians in standing up to animal exploitation present in traveling circuses, asking for ‘countries like the UK and the US to follow this example and end this cruelty.’
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