If circuses with exotic performing lions are banned from council land in Wodonga it would “likely set a precedent” that could affect petting zoos, a council report found.
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But Cr Libby Hall, who seconded Kat Bennett’s motion in July to commission the report, believes there was a significant difference between lions and lambs.
“People think it will leak over into petting zoos but I see them as rather different,” she said.
“A reason not to support is it could impact petting zoos, rodeos even horse riding, but I think it’s different, the fact they are exotic animals, it’s different.
“I still believe [exotic animals performing] is something that tends not to be palatable to the public these days.”
Of 70 Victorian councils who responded to a Wodonga Council survey, 16 had a ban in place.
As a landlord council can place controls on the use of its land, notwithstanding national competition fair trading policies.
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The nine-page report offered no recommendation to the council, but highlighted circuses could simply move to private land if they were banned from council land, resulting in a loss of income for the council.
Hiring the council’s circus site at Gateway Village costs $325 a day plus $40 for utilities, with $6825 generated from a 21-day booking.
The report also commented that if circuses with exotic animals moved to private land, the public “would potentially remain unaware of the council ban, therefore removing the benefit being sought for the council taking that position”.
Despite not offering a recommendation the report concluded “the welfare of a circus animal is obviously important to the viability of a circus and thus is likely to be well managed”.
“The placement of unwanted exotic animals into circus life or travelling animal shows can be considered to be a viable alternative to their destruction…. Attendance numbers to a circus or animal education show, will dictate their relevance in this current era.”
Despite calling circuses with exotic animals “outdated” when seconding Cr Bennett’s motion in July, Cr Hall was on Sunday not sure if she would support or oppose a motion to ban exotic animals from council land.
Cr Hall said animal welfare, whether in homes, farms or circuses, was at the forefront of society’s mind and there were strong views on both side of the debate.
“It’s a difficult decision because I can see both sides, both positions,” she said.
“There are real concerns, I don’t want to take away anyone's income but I believe that wouldn’t be the case, circuses are not just about lions anymore, many do very well without any animals.
“It’s not a decision I take lightly.”