I’m sure most readers remember Anne, an elderly, arthritic elephant with the Bobby Roberts Circus.
Footage showed Anne being beaten by her groom.
Public outrage meant she was soon rehomed to live out her days away from the constant transportation of circus life.
There are still around 39 wild animals languishing in UK circuses.
These include tigers, lions, snakes, zebras and camels.
Despite public and political support for a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses, the Government has decided not to protect them.
Please write to your MP and urge them to introduce a ban, because it is the only way to truly protect these animals.
Fiona Peacock, Captive Animals’ Protection Society, Salford.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here