IT is with shock and disappointment I learn City of York Council has granted a licence (The Press, November 12) for an event to be held next summer on Knavesmire, which includes galloping horses’ acrobatics, as well as other attractions including falconry, donkey rides and a petting zoo.
It is surprising it has been considered at all as a suitable spectacle for a family event.
City of York Council has long maintained a ban on allowing animal circuses within its administrative boundary.
The last time a similar event was sanctioned using horses was when the Spirit of the Horse circus visited over a decade ago.
At the time, this attracted significant controversy and they never returned, such was the depth of feeling against it from residents within the city.
Allowing this show to be booked, it seems our local politicians have forgotten this lesson.
York Animal Action objects to this booking and has started a petition requesting Cllr Ayre and Visit York reconsider it, and demand the organisers fully uphold the ban on animal circuses within the city.
https://www.change.org/p/cllr-nigel-ayre-uphold-the-ban-on-animal-circuses-in-york
Baz Buchanan, Secretary, York Animal Action UK, Teal Drive, York
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