An animal rights group are urging the boycott of a circus in Polesworth this weekend. Manchester-based organisation, The Captive Animals' Protection Society, are encouraging locals to avoid Peter Jolly's Circus which is in town from Friday, August 22 to Monday, August 25. CAPS campaigns for the Government to ban animal circuses. Paul Thomas, CAPS' Campaigns Assistant, said: "It's time to end the outdated practice of forcing animals to perform for our amusement, particularly when there are lots of high-quality circuses that rely entirely on human skills. "In the 21st century there can be no excuse for continuing to allow the treatment of animals in this way." A CAPS statement claims Jolly's Circus is one of seven still using animals, amid increasing calls for such performances to be banned. It has over 20 different animals including zebras, camels, horses, ponies, geese, llamas, dogs, cats and an Ankole bull. "With so many excellent animal-free circuses now touring, the days of transporting animals from town to town is becoming a thing of the past," CAPS said. "Opinion polls consistently reveal that the public overwhelmingly oppose the confinement, transportation and training methods used by animal circuses and support a ban." Peter Jolly Junior, whose father started the business 37 years ago, said: "There are two points I'd like to make. Firstly, they've got nobody qualified to talk about animal welfare. "Secondly, I would ask people to look at the DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) website, which explains a lot, in detail. "We care for our animals. They're grazing in the field at the moment. "What right have they (CAPS) to tell people what they should or should not see? "The public will vote with their feet. If they want to see animals in a circus they will. "Anyone can come down and see how our animals are treated. We're a good old fashioned traditional circus - we also have clowns, trapeze artists, wire-walkers and so on. "Our animals are looked after exceptionally well." Peter Jolly Sr and Jr worked with DEFRA on the Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses report, published in October 2007, which recommended reforming standards in the industry. To book tickets for Peter Jolly's Circus call 07850 687 503. | 
