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Animals to be banned from Welsh circuses
45 countries across the globe have introduced bans on animals in circuses.
Move brings UK-wide ban one step closer

The Welsh government is to introduce a ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the government said: “The way animals are treated is an important reflection of society and over the next 12 months, a bill will be introduced to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses on welfare grounds”.

Jan Creamer of Animal Defenders International (ADI), which has documented suffering and use in UK circuses for many years, welcomed the move.

“We congratulate the Welsh Government for taking a stand to stop circus suffering in Wales and bringing a UK-wide ban one step closer,” she said. “Knowing that only a ban can protect them, we are delighted an end to the use of wild animals in circuses in Wales is finally within sight.”

The Bill has taken a long time to come to fruition, given that the Welsh government first committed to a ban on wild animals in circuses in 2013. In February this year, the UK government pledged to introduce a UK-wide ban by January 2020.

To date, 45 countries across the globe have introduced bans on animals in circuses, including Scotland and Ireland. Currently, there are only two circuses in England that carry wild animals and are licensed to tour in Wales - Circus Mondao and Peter Jolly’s Circus.

A third circus with big cats, owned by Thomas Chipperfield, also performed in Wales when it was unable to obtain a license in England. Since then it has remained off the road, but ADI has revealed the miserable lives suffered by its cats, which live in restricted cages and have limited outside access.

ADI also found evidence of overcrowding, fighting between animals and a worker tormenting a camel. 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.