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# Animal rights group calls for boycott of controversial Lichfield circus
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/animal-rights-group-calls-for-boycott-of-controversial-lichfield-circus/
- Published: 2009-08-10T13:20:29.000Z
- Updated: 2009-08-10T13:20:29.000Z
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 21:52, News

![Peter Jolly's Travelling Circus setting up in Lichfield](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/jollyscircus.jpg "jollyscircus")

Peter Jolly's Travelling Circus setting up in Lichfield

**EXCLUSIVE**:An animal rights group has called for people to boycott a controversial circus in Lichfield.

The traditional Peter Jolly’s Travelling Circus comes to Walsall Road, Lichfield from August 12-16.

But the travelling big top has been targeted by protesters in the past due to the use of animals in the show.

The circus’ website says:

> “Peter Jolly’s is a traditional circus as it should be with over 20 different animals including llamas, camel, horses, ponies, geese, zebra, dogs, cats and even an Ankole bull!”

The show also features jugglers, clowns and low wire acts, but it is the use of animals which has proved controversial in the past.

In 2008 the circus’ appearance in Burntwood led to [protests](http://www.chasepost.net/news-in-cannock/cannock-burntwood-news/burntwood-news/2008/09/04/animal-rights-protesters-target-travelling-circus-93633-21828782/?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk) from animal rights protesters.

The Captive Animals Protection Society (CAPS), who were involved in the Burntwood protest, told The Lichfield Blog they would be calling on people to boycott the circus.

![Some of the circus animals grazing in Lichfield](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/animalscircus.jpg "animalscircus")

Some of the circus animals grazing in Lichfield

CAPS campaign officer Paul Thomas said:

> “People can enjoy circuses without animals being forced to perform. Most circuses now feature an all-human cast, removing the need to keep animals confined for long periods, transport them around the country and use hidden training methods to make them perform in the ring.  
>  
> “We would encourage people to avoid all animal circuses and wait until one of the many amazing all-human shows arrives in town.”

Peter Jolly’s Travelling Circus had previously been the subject of criticism from campaign groups for being the last UK circus to have a bear as part of the show – something which ended following the [bear’s death in 2007](http://www.captiveanimals.org/news/2007/ming.html?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk).

No-one from the circus was availble for comment.