The end of circus life for llamas, horses, cows and dromedaries abandoned by Cirque de Paris
After 11 weeks of prolonged abandonment in the Oise department, 8 animals have just been seized by the courts from Cirque de Paris animal tamer Steve Gougeon, for the benefit of One Voice.
Almost three months after abandoning eight animals in a field in the Oise department, come rain or snow, Steve Gougeon and Cirque de Paris have just had them taken away from them today, thanks to the combined efforts of our team, its partners, the police and the local mayor. Here’s the story of a lightning seizure.
Last Monday, he was given an exemplary sentence: a five-year ban on working with animals following the seizure of Jon, Patty, Céleste, Marli and Hannah. He also received a suspended prison sentence and the obligation to reimburse the costs incurred by the association for their accommodation and care, amounting to almost 200,000 euros.
Publication in the media the very next day enabled us to go into action on January 30 to save these eight unfortunate animals left to fend for themselves, following an appeal for help. For more than ten weeks, two horses, two white llamas, two dromedaries, a watusi and a highland had been roaming a field in search of a drop of water, nutrients absent from the muddy grass of the pasture, or from the roadside shrubs, facing every kind of weather, and with only a – dare we say it – shitty truck for shelter. Only the goodwill of farmers and local residents provided them with enough to survive all this time.
In a constitutional state such as ours, associations should not have to compensate for the perpetual mistreatment of animals in circuses. There are laws governing this outdated practice. Why are they so rarely enforced?
In just one week – a fact rare enough to be highlighted – we sent out an investigator, mobilized our lawyers, filed a complaint, found partner shelters with places available and competent, sympathetic animal transporters, and finally obtained the seizure order! Record time. In less than two hours this morning, the animals were out of their hell, and without a hitch. Second record.
Their names are Totem, Orion, Teliah, Jessica, Palermo, Saba, Gaspard and Malkia. You can bring them love, kindness, support and a chance to rebuild their lives by sponsoring them.
The remarkable involvement of Noroy town council, the gendarmerie, transporters, partner shelters, the justice system and our team is to be commended.
Everyone cooperated hand in hand, because the stakes were high: saving the lives of these animals and offering them the best possible future.
