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Animal rights group: circus owner's sentence 'derisory'
– Animal Defenders International Chief Executive, Jan CreamerDespite the considerable suffering caused to Anne the elephant, the sentencing meted out to Mr Roberts is derisory and provides no faith that the Animal Welfare Act can protect animals in circuses.”
“Inspection after inspection fails to identify this abuse. In addition, so many industry witnesses admitted this is acceptable practice; indeed the defence claimed Anne should not be chained all day but for a staggering 13.5 hours a day, more than four times as much as is permitted in zoos. These practices will not stop until the use of wild animals in circuses is prohibited by law.”
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Bobby Roberts sentenced for unnecessary suffering
Circus owner Bobby Roberts is sentenced for causing unnecessary suffering to Europe's oldest elephant
Read the full storyMan sentenced in elephant trial
Circus owner Bobby Roberts was given a three year conditional discharge.
Circus owner guilty of all three elephant charges
Bobby Roberts was found guilty at Northampton Crown Court of allowing Anne to be chained by her front and rear leg at all times, of failing to take steps to prevent his employee mistreating her and of failing to make sure the needs of a protected animal were met.
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