Animal lovers are speaking out against a circus that has been booked for two performances at Penticton‘s South Okanagan Events Centre on Aug. 1, one day after its show in Vernon. Jill Beaven, owner of Dragon‘s Den art shop, is one of many Pentictonites who oppose the upcoming Jordan World Circus. "We took down all the signs (for the circus) we could find," she said. Beaven‘s daughter, Jeanette, feels just as strongly as her mother. They prefer people-only circus acts. "There was a Mexican circus that came a few years ago, and it was just a bunch of people doing silly people tricks," said Jeanette, adding that she loved it. Several residents have written to the Penticton Herald and city council, protesting the upcoming performance at the SOEC. According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the Las Vegas-based Jordan World Circus has failed to meet standards set in the Animal Welfare Act several times between 1993 and 2007. Some of the offences include keeping animals in cages that were too small for long periods and using animals deemed unfit to perform. PETA also says Jordan World Circus has since lost its exhibitor‘s licence, meaning it has to lease animals for its shows. Most of the information from circus critics comes from websites like PETA‘s, and from hidden-camera videos on the Internet that show trainers mistreating animals. The B.C. SPCA is firmly opposed to the circus and, in a severe enough case, has the authority to stop it. B.C.‘s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act gives "an authorized agent" - in this case, the SPCA - permission to inspect the circus before its show goes on. "The SPCA is opposed to the capture, acclimatization, training and use of animals, particularly exotic animals," said Tracy Westmoreland, Okanagan-Similkameen SPCA branch manager. She‘s not sure when the circus will be arriving in Penticton, and the list of animals coming hasn‘t been confirmed, but she will be there to greet them. "We will be inspecting," Westmoreland said. She and her colleagues will examine the physical condition of the animals, their living space, whether they have room to exercise and their food supply. If they find any evidence in violation of these conditions, the circus can be put at a standstill until further investigation, said Westmoreland, who is urging city council to adopt a bylaw placing restrictions on exotic and wild animal performances and exhibitions. Several B.C. municipalities already have such bylaws. They include Salmon Arm, where Jordan World will perform two days before coming to Penticton. That show will not feature animal acts. Ernie Blumke, marketing manager at the SOEC, said people‘s opposition to the circus is understandable, but that Jordan World rented the venue and the event is set to move ahead. Jordan World Circus declined to comment by phone on the issue. In an email response, a representative stated people should go see the circus for themselves and "make (their) own assumption about the way the animals are treated." Top of Page
