Pamela Anderson begs Irish prime minister to ban animal in circuses
Pamela Anderson has asked the Prime Minister of Ireland to ban the use of wild animals in circuses – and if he does so she’ll take him out for a pint of Guinness.
The ‘Baywatch’ babe – who has been a committed animal rights campaigner for years – has promised Taoiseach Enda Kenny that she’ll treat him to a glass of his country’s famous stout if he supports the crucial bill that will stop entertainers exploiting innocent creatures for financial gain.
Writing in a letter to Kenny, which was published on the PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) website, she said: "Animals in circuses never benefit from ‘the luck of the Irish’. Instead, they’re denied everything that is natural and important to them. Today, most decent people see animal circuses for what they are: cruelty.
"I truly hope Ireland seizes this opportunity to implement a national ban and joins the ever-growing list of countries that have banished this archaic form of so-called entertainment. I would love nothing more than to raise a glass of Guinness (I hear it’s vegan now!) with you when that day arrives."
At time of publish, Arklow, Dublin, Galway, Kildare Town, Monaghan and Waterford had already banned the use of animals in circuses but the Prohibition of Wild Animals in Circuses Bill 2017, which was moved by Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, seeks to introduce a ban on the use of wild animals in performances and to make it an offence to train these species – such as elephants and tigers – for exhibition across the entire country.
Revealing why he believes the ban is important, Murphy said: "The evidence shows animals in circuses suffer from long-term psychological and physical problems as a result of being held in such conditions.
"They are often kept in caged wagons and small enclosures. They are regularly forced to perform unnatural and bizarre acts and are denied the space, climate and social interactions that wild animals need."
Pamela, 49, was named PETA’s Person of the Year in 2016 after her efforts trying to encourage vegan eating were recognized and for calling for a ban on foie gras.
