Shropshire circus row: Telford councillor speaks out about animal acts
A Telford councillor has spoken out against circuses that use live animals.
Eric Carter, who represents Newport East on Telford & Wrekin Council, said the days of having animals perform at circuses were over.
One of only two circuses licensed to use wild animals, protestors called for the rugby club to boycott the act.
Councillor Carter said: "If you've got people performing, if you have acrobats or clowns, that's not a problem. But animals? Those days are gone.
"I'm of an age where everybody went to the circus, and there was always live animals. That's what we were brought up with, but things have changed.
"Nobody is forced to go to a circus with live animals and nobody is forced to pay to watch on. It's entirely up to you, but I wouldn't go to one and neither would any of my family.
"That's because we're animal lovers, and I don't know how could possibly balance being an animal lover with supporting these circuses."
Peter Jolly's Circus made its last appearance at Newport Rugby Club on Monday. A new petition has already been signed more than 450 times for its appearance at Hadley Farm in Whitchurch.
