SIR,

As an artist who works with wild animal sanctuaries around the world, I have protested wild animal circuses for some time. I have to say in all the time I have done this I never for a moment thought a town as progressive as Monmouth would even entertain the idea of hosting one of the UK's most outdated forms of entertainment, something it did over Easter when it played host to Circus Mondao on the Monmouth Showground.

A ban on wild animals in circuses has been called for by the RSPCA and The British Veterinary Society, the Born Free Foundation and the Captive Animals Protection Society.

It doesn't matter how much fun it is to see a camel, zebra, elephant or tiger in your town. It doesn't matter that you may never get to see them in any other way, it matters that the wild animal is being forced to live in a way that is entirely unnatural for them.

The circus and supporters will argue that they are well looked after and I'm sure in their minds they are. But in reality we only need common sense, not a zoology degree, to understand that constant travelling in confined spaces in beast wagons, being put in small pens in strange places week after week, and then being made to 'perform' in circus venues, is no life for an animal destined for the wild.

In the piece that appeared in the Beacon last week Petra Jackson, the circus ringmaster, likened the use of wild animals in circuses to that of dogs in agility shows and ponies at home. These just cannot be compared in any way.

A dog can live a totally full and happy life at home with their owner and then have fun in a weekend activity, which is well within their ability and natural.

Likewise, a well-looked after pony at home does not share much in common with its circus-performing counterpart, certainly not the unnatural degree of life on the road, confinement and stress.

I believe Monmouthshire County Council should take a leaf from the book of many other councils around the UK, which are refusing to grant a license to circuses using wild animals.

Also, the Monmouth Showground should show more responsibility in the events it chooses to hold on its ground, I have spoken to members of the Monmouth Show committee who were most upset that the showground was being used for this type of event.

A small peaceful protest took place at Monmouth Showground on Good Friday and huge thanks go out to those who attended, the much wider community who gave us their support and especially to Monmouth Police who I had called beforehand and who were very supportive and kind in making sure we were safe on the day.

There is no doubt that a ban on wild animals in circuses will come into place, it has been promised before the next election.

Until then I urge all the people that made this display possible this year to think again next time they get a similar request.

Let's not let Monmouth be the town that goes down in the history books as being one of the last to play host to this sad and outdated practice, that is not good for our town or its residents.

Sally-Anne Ryan

(Monmouth)