§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) prosecutions and (b) convictions have been recorded for instances of cruelty to animals within circuses for each year since 1980; and if he will make a statement. [29130]
§ Mr. George Howarth[holding answer 12 February 1998]: The main legislation protecting the welfare of circus animals is the Protection of Animals Act 1911. However, court proceedings data do not identify the location of an offence. In 1996, there were 967 prosecutions under this Act of which 764 resulted in a conviction.
The table details prosecutions and convictions under the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925 and the Protection of Animals Act 1934 which relate more specifically to performing animals.
Number of defendants prosecuted and convicted of offences under thePerforming Animals (Regulations) Act 1925 1 and the Protection of Animals Act 1934 2, 1980–1996 England and Wales Performing Animals (Regulations) Act 1925 1 Protection of Animals Act 1934 2 Year Prosecutions Convictions Prosecutions Convictions 1980 — — 4 2 1981 1 1 1 1 1982 1 — 5 4 1983 2 1 7 7 1984 1 1 1 1 1985 — — 5 5 1986 2 2 5 5 1987 3 3 2 2 1988 2 2 4 4 1989 — — 1 1 1990 1 1 1 1 1991 — — 1 1 1992 — — 1 1 1993 1 — 9 8 1994 — — 4 3 1995 — — 2 2 1996 — — 3 2 1 The exhibition and training of performing animals without being registered. 2 The prohibition of certain public contests, performances and exhibitions with animals.