A new bill has been put before Colombia’s Congress aiming to provide better protection for circus animals, reported W Radio.
One of the congressmen behind the initiative is Senator Camilo Sanchez, who claims that the bill would prevent cruelty to animals, specifically those working in the circus.
Senator Augusto Posada also added his voice to the argument saying that it is vital to regulate the use of animals in these types of situations. He also stated that a new regulation bill would recover the moral values of Colombia’s society.
The proposal would allow all established circuses housing animals two years to meet new regulations while animals currently in danger would be seized, rehabilitated, given medical treatment and returned to the wild.
“There are international cases in which a circus can entertain without removing animals from their natural habitats,” said Sanchez.
If the bill is approved Colombian will become the fifth country in South America to regulate the use of animals in traveling circuses.
So far the bill has received great support from animal rights groups and traveling circuses that already prohibit the use of animals, reports global animal rights charity ADI.
