Circuses with wild animals have been banned from land owned by Dublin City Council after a vote by councillors.
The news comes after Rosanna Davison wrote an open letter to the council, calling on councillors to vote to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.
The Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) said, “It is brilliant news and is another step forward to get support off other councils for a similar ban.”
The ban will stop the use of elephants, giraffes, hippos, tigers and other live animals, however it does not affect dogs, cats, horses or other animals not defined as “wild” in legislation.
Animal lover: Rosanna Davison campaigned for the ban | BRIAN MCEVOY
The motion proposing the ban was originally put forward by Sinn Féin Cllr Noeleen Reilly.
“I am delighted my motion was passed. This is a cruel outdated practice that holds no place in modern Ireland. Training and torturing animals to perform tricks for our entertainment in an unnatural environment is inhuman and degrading.
“Not only that but animals are chained or caged for up to 24 hours a day and are only let out to perform. I want to commend all the local Authorities who have passed similar motions to date and now call on the Minister to listen to what the councils are telling him and to ban this practice from the state immediately,” said Noeleen.
Naturally, animal lovers have flocked to Twitter, to express their delight that the ban has now been set in place.
Brilliant news!! RT @brianc1995: @rosanna_davison https://t.co/qNq0DW7nfL
— Rosanna Davison (@rosanna_davison) July 26, 2016
GREAT NEWS! : Use of wild animals in circuses has been banned by Dublin City Council.https://t.co/BFRDYJ1dTb pic.twitter.com/Br8zQ6O19D
— Labour Animal Rights (@LabourAnimalRG) July 26, 2016
Now, this is GREAT news. Dublin City Council bans the use of wild animals in circus acts. BRAVO!!!! Now need more… https://t.co/twmpYwgpfR
— Darren Kennedy (@Darrenken) July 26, 2016
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL BANNED CIRCUSES UNTIL THE ANIMALS USED ARE RELEASED INTO THE WILD, I AM GONNA CRY WITH JOY AHHH
— saira Ⓥ (@saiduck_) July 26, 2016
Brilliant news. I hate seeing animals in circuses. Well done, Dublin City Council! https://t.co/SbV5bOTxab
— Philip Nolan (@philipnolan1) July 25, 2016
The DSPCA are delighted with the news that Dublin City Council yesterday put in place a ban of all wild-animal… https://t.co/gBOstXHco7
— DSPCA (@DublinSPCA) July 26, 2016
Use of wild animals in circuses banned by Dublin City Council. Woohoo https://t.co/5qno95PLS1
— Cllr Noeleen Reilly (@NoeleenReilly) July 26, 2016
Yes! Well done, Dublin City Council ???? https://t.co/d7o0c41oGM
— Michelle Audrey (@Chellebobaggins) July 26, 2016
