Petition · past parliament

Ban the use of wild animals in circuses in the U.K.

Closed 338 signatures

What the petition asks

In 2012 the Government made a commitment to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses before the end of 2015, it is now 2017 and there is still no ban.
With 94.5% of the public wanting to see this practice relegated to the history books, is it not time the U.K. followed suit?

Reasons why a ban is needed :
Wild animals do not jump through rings of fire, balance on balls or stand on their front legs voluntarily.
Circuses travel nearly all year round so the complex needs of wild animals can never be adequately met.
Many undercover investigations have revealed evidence of circuses mistreating their animals.

Timeline

29 Jan 2017 Petition opened for signatures
2 May 2017 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 338
Status Closed
Opened 29 Jan 2017
Closed 2 May 2017

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.