Since October 2009, Portugal's circuses have not legally been able to acquire new animals.
After five years of struggle, circus owners have pointed the finger at the lobbyists who 'attacked circuses' in the 2009 law which did not legislate against bullfighting and performances with dolphins.
For Michael Chen, the head of the Circus Chen, trying to fight this anomaly is like going to a war with a water pistol,
"At first, it was the mistreatment of animals. During the 34 years that I have had animals, no one ever proved that I mistreated an animal. The 2009 law was approved because circuses are the weakest links in these situations, the powerful stick with the powerful," said Michael Chen in an interview with the Lusa news agency.
The circus owner pointed the finger at bullfighting and other animal shows, "As for the question of bullfighting? We are pro bullfighting, but we should have been treated as bullfights are treated."
In addition to the law on circus animals, Circus Chen has had problems "working in certain municipalities" which demand €225 to register a request to perform in the council area, and then refuse the request.
"Business is difficult for everyone, because the crisis affects everyone and the circus gets people’s last pennies. There is no other option for us, circus people were born in the circus and almost all will die in the circus," added Chen.
Circus Chen had almost 50 animals at one time, including a rhinoceros and a bison, but after the 2009 law authorising the use only of animals that were already in the circus, Chan is down to seven tigers, some camels and a few horses.
In a show that lasts over two hours, the animals perform for just seven minutes each.
"It is a pity, because many people like to see animals in the ring," concluded Chen.
Reviewing the Circus Chen website and Facebook pages, Micheal Chen successfully has introduced many non-animal performaces in his show which, for youngsters new to the circus, are every bit as exciting as performing animals and will become the norm as the 2009 law gradually decreases the numbers of animals available to circus owners.
See: http://www.circochen.net/
https://www.facebook.com/CircoChen
