28 May 2008

A MESSAGE FROM BOBBY ROBERTS REGARDING ANNE AND ALL THE PERFORMING ANIMALS IN MY CIRCUS

Anne our beloved elephant is now 55 years old and I and members of my family have looked after Anne for the last 51 years (Anne is the oldest surviving Elephant in Europe which proves how well she is looked after and cared for).

Anne has not performed for over seven years, but having worked faithfully for me for over 45 years we will now give her every possible care, attention and love for the remainder of her life. Anne has the best possible veterinary care for the mild arthritis which affects her hind right leg and our vet’s have assured us she is not in any pain or distress.

For Anne to be anywhere other than on the circus, where she is with the humans, her family, who she knows and trusts, together with the circus animals who have become her constant companions, would cause her unnecessary stress and indeed could easily make her lose her life, which would be heartbreaking.

Bobby Roberts and his family have been working closely with DEFRA, together with animal welfare groups over the last two and a half years, where it has been scientifically concluded that animals do not suffer in any way in a circus environment and as the paragraph, printed below, extracted from a letter written by Lord Rooker states that Anne should stay with the circus getting all the care and attention required for her well being, proved by 11 independent veterinary officers, council appointed animal welfare officers together with trading standard inspectors.

Our doors have always been, and always will be, open to RSPCA inspectors who call without notice and have always found our animals to be in good condition, well housed in their stable accommodation, have good transport facilities, and are well fed. I always ensure that our journeys from site to site are relatively short and then only once per week.

We are justifiably proud of our animal husbandry, proud also of our quality of performance, of which the animals play only a very small part, which we give to entertain the public, a show where the whole family can come together to enjoy the performance and not be offended in any way.

My family have been entertaining you, the British public, for nine generations, and with your support, we will continue to do so for many more generations to come.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Yours truly,

Bobby Roberts
Bobby Roberts Super Circus

Awarded best Animal act 2007, 2000, 1994 and 1991.
Awarded best circus 2000, 1997.

Extract from letter written by Lord Rooker to the president of the ECA
“with regard to Anne the elephant belonging to Bobby Roberts, during 2006 Anne was examined, during a tour of Scotland by 11 independent and government veterinary officers who found on each occasion that Anne was in good condition, not suffering any stress, in good stabling, and as so, Anne will remain with the circus.”