In reply to the prefecture of the Eure, following the seizure of the lion Jon

Following the distribution of the images of the rescue of the lion Jon, the prefecture of the Eure has published a press release.  However it seems that its services are not in possession of the full facts even though our first complaint against the Cirque de Paris was submitted in 2018 – in the department of the Eure!

The association One Voice points out that on 8 October 2018 it submitted a complaint to the Public Prosecutor of Evreux relating to acts of cruelty, ill-treatment, conditions likely to cause suffering and illegal exploitation while the Cirque de Paris was in Saint-Marcel.  This complaint is still current and One Voice has of course therefore made an additional complaint in the light of the state of health of the lion that has been entrusted to it. 

The association is not authorized to talk about the current inquiry. In October 2018, in addition to the animals it usually keeps, the circus was exhibiting Dumba.  For decades her ‘owners’ have been hiring her out to circuses all over the world and to film companies. This elephant too was in a pitiful state and we had also submitted a complaint in her name.

In March 2020, a few days before the lockdown, the association found out that the circus had ‘replaced’ Dumba with Baby, who is also hired out by her trainer for events such as a special offer in a supermarket, a wedding or an advertising stunt. Like Dumba before her she performed in the big top under the gaze of the audience, who were unaware of her unhappiness and of the danger:  in fact many of them took selfies with her during the interval or followed her to the trailer after the performance, also in violation of the legislation.

The association One Voice is shocked to discover that an inspection was carried out on 27 April 2020, i.e. a month and a half ago, by the veterinary inspectors of the prefecture of the Eure, who did not notice the deplorable condition of the animals and in particular of the lion, and, even worse, concluded that they were in “apparent good health“, even though the prefecture is the only authority responsible for the welfare of these animals and consequently required to inspect these establishments regularly, paying particular attention to animal-protection issues.

The Prefect declares that the purpose of these inspections is not to check on the welfare of the animals but merely on their appearance.  And that is precisely what the problem is.  That must change.  These inspections must include protection of the animals, as provided for in law. 

In any event, who can seriously think that Jon was enjoying apparent good health a month and a half ago?!