In regards to the rights and liberties of animals, there have been many bans set in several countries to eliminate the existence of animal circuses. Unfortunately, not all countries in the world contain a nationwide ban. Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Bolivia are countries in which have a nationwide ban on all animals in circuses, while Austria, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Singapore, Israel and Mexico contain a nationwide ban on the use of wild animals in circuses. Canada, Norway, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Australia only have local bans on the use of animals in circuses, compared to other countries in the world who have nationwide bans (Casamitjana).
Laws regarding circus animals and its restrictions range widely between provinces across Canada. Saskatchewan forbids the action of tying any caged animal and requires the local municipality’s approval and evaluation of the animals before a circus may obtain a license to operate. Manitoba requires inspections of the animals and circus to be made repeatedly. Newfoundland has in place minimum standards regarding enclosures for space such as it’s volume and height, exercise equipment and water (Niedrich).
While laws vary greatly within each province, Nova Scotia contains by far the most advanced and exhaustive set of laws regarding animals in circuses compared to the other provinces in Canada. All traveling animal acts must submit an application to the Director of Wildlife at the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources at least two months prior to arriving in the province. In order for circus trainers and other animal entertainment facilities to understand the level of animal care the province of Nova Scotia requires, lists of all tricks the animals will perform, health certificates, construction materials and the sizes of the contained facilities must be documented (Niedrich).
All animals must be examined by a veterinarian at least six months prior to entering the province. When traveling, the truck must stop every two hours to check the health and well being of the animals, and every 12 out of 24 hours to make sure that the animals may rest properly. To ensure animal welfare, Nova Scotia prohibits trainers and circus personnel from forcing an animal to perform when they are showing signs of unwillingness. Dressing animals in costumes is also prohibited in the interest of the animal’s dignity (Niedrich).
While laws are not the same within each province in Canada, the strict prohibitions that Nova Scotia has set makes Canada the country with the strongest and most comprehensive laws regarding circus animals in the world.