Ron Mildren was the only councillor to vote on Monday night against a motion to have council officers report on options for the use of council-owned land by circuses and carnivals with exotic animals.

He argued circuses and petting zoos were the same when it came to the treatment of their animals.

“In some of the circuit petting zoos there is no difference at all,” Cr Mildren said.

“The animals, ranging from calves to goats to alpacas to rabbits to all sorts of things, get taken from place to place to place to place.

“To isolate out circuses I think is unfair and inappropriate.

“What we’re doing here is a little bit narrowly focused and perhaps based more on emotion than facts and reality.” 

Councillor Kat Bennett, who put the motion, adjusted its original wording seeking a “report investigating a future ban on circuses and carnivals” to a “report that provides policy options for the use of council-owned land”.

Her action follows her receiving 50 to 60 Facebook messages of concern and 20 calls or texts following Lennon Bros Circus, who have performing lions, setting up on Gateway Island for school holiday shows.

“The No.1 question I got from people is ‘I actually thought this is illegal, how is this going on?’,” Cr Bennett said.

“That is what has prompted this motion.”

Cr Bennett also pointed to an online petition, which has attracted more than 1400 signatures, calling on Wodonga Council to boycott circuses with exotic animals.

She has not targeted petting zoos or horse racing because she has not been approached by ratepayers concerned at the treatment of animals in those domains.

Councillor Libby Hall seconded Cr Bennett’s motion.

“Exotic animals in circuses is an outdated practice,” Cr Hall said.

“Most people would prefer to see these beautiful creatures in large well constructed and well-designed zoos or free-range parks where they have expert care and room to move.” 

Mayor Anna Speedie said she did not have enough information to support or oppose circuses with exotic animals.

She wants to know what other councils are doing before taking a view.

Councillors Danny Lowe and John Watson also said they would not declare themselves in favour or against exotic animal circuses on municipal land before the council report was done.

“You can make debates for both sides of the story, but without actually having all the facts I’d like to think I won’t shoot from the hip and I’ll get it all in front of me,” Cr Lowe said.

Cr Watson said: “I’m still a bit cagey, sorry for the pun, on which way I’m going to vote.”

However, he lauded Cr Bennett for pursuing an issue.

“I commend our young councillor in having a real dip at something she’s passionate about,” Cr Watson said.

“I don’t think that happens enough in local government….so well done Cr Bennett on that.” 

Councillor Tim Quilty was absent from Monday night’s meeting on holiday.

Cr Bennett suspects the report will be available to discuss at a council meeting by September or October.