Lion Trainer
Martin Lacey is a lion trainer and ring master with over 40 years experience keeping, training and breeding exotic and domesticated animals. Martin is a Government Registered Wild Animal Trainer.
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I didn't catch all of the item on circuses but what I did was god to hear.
I've tried to get into "new" circus and to get used to traditional circus without the animals but neither really works. There's nothing like an animal circus and anyone can tell the animals are well looked after - no workman ruins his tools on purpose and animals are much more than that.
We usually try & see a circus (with animals) on our holidays in France. We'd love to go to one in the UK, but where are they?
Complain about this postWhat a hyprocrite Martin Lacey is. Does he really think that taking a wild animal, degrading them, using brute force to make them do stupid acts totally alien to their nature in order to make him a healthy profit is a way to stop their demise. The sooner people like him and their tawdry way of earning a living are banned, the better. Don't give me that rubbish about how, kind and caring you are. The only think you care about is you're bank balance all at the expense of exploiting the animal kingdom.
Complain about this postFascinating to hear what Martin Lacey's family is doing with tigers and lions around the world; must give him considerable PRIDE ...
Complain about this postNo, Mr Lacey, there are 12 year old lions "running about in Africa". And please don't underestimate the intelligence of the listeners by saying that lions would rather live in a cage, be trained to do tricks, perform under command in a circus ring,and travel round the country in beast wagons than live in the wild as nature intended. Yes, the wild is harsh and dangerous but they are wild animals and it is extraordinary to claim that what the circus offers is a kind and caring alternative.
Complain about this postThe Born Free Foundation has just rescued 3 lions from a circus in France No circus should have wild animals, and the majority of the public feel the same.
The idea that people can get anything from an animal so removed from it's natural environment and behaviour is ludicrous.
The fact that this existence is prolonged for longer than it would be in the wild is just more depressing.
Complain about this postfor Martin Lacey-I am not a pekinese loving old lady,I am however one of the majority of thinking people who believe wild animals belong in the wild,not in the environment of a money making circus.Join the modern world Martin,wild animals may not live as long in the wild but they are happy doing what they are meant to do.
Complain about this postWould it be possible to visit Mr Lacey and see him training his big cats ?
Until I see for myself I think it unfair to judge.
Thank you
Complain about this postMs. McKenna, please don't underestimate MY intelligence by ascribing to Martin Lacey remarks he did not make. He did not say "lions would rather live in a cage" etc. etc. - after all, no animal has the mental capacity to think like that ! However most animals live longer and healthier lives in captivity than in the wild - that is a scientifically proven fact. Nearly all animals are threatened in their natural habitats - that is also a fact. Mr. Lacey was making the point that the key to survival of many species is the development of gene banks from captive populations, which realistically can only be maintained by financial support from the public. Performances and displays are merely an enhancement of the exhibition of animals - and invariably prove popular when they take place in zoological gardens and elsewhere - including circuses. There is no evidence to the contrary. As I am sure you are aware Ms. McKenna, the only INDEPENDENT scientific study of the subject concluded that there is no inherent cruelty in training animals - in fact they benefit from it. I am sure Martin Lacey would be pleased to introduce Victoria Oldham to his animals and watch him training, as I have, and she would then see that the circus IS a kind and caring environment.
Complain about this postI too agree with the sentiments of not underestimating the intelligence of the listeners. Yes, undoubtedly Mr Lacey is one of MANY people who use animals for commercial purposes. If we are to really believe that this is exploitation, or is morally wrong; then I feel that we also need to examine man's use of animals in pet shows, advertising, television, films, gymkhanas, galas, dog shows, equestrian events etc. Surely, we need to question all people who use animals for their own financial gain, and not just the practices of circus animal trainers?
I believe that it is inevitable, that in some of the various situations that use performing animals; standards of animal care and welfare have not been, or are not, appropriate.
As a result, I cannot simply support the general use of animals in circuses or in any other similar events.
I believe that the entire crux of the matter; relates to the standards of animal welfare displayed by each individual or company that uses animals in this way, rather than questioning the general use of animals in the 鈥渃ircus.鈥 I would say that Mr Lacey (and many other animal trainers) demonstrate and promote excellent standards of animal respect, care and welfare. As long as this is the case, I feel that such activities should be allowed to continue.
Please let鈥檚 not also underestimate the memory of the listeners. Let's remind ourselves, that Virginia McKenna - one of the founders of the Born Free Federation gained notoriety by working with such wild animals in the film industry - no doubt also making substantial, personal financial gain. Or is this another example of double standards? I personally don't see the difference.
Complain about this postOne of the most fascinating aspects of an animal circus is seeing the close bond between animals and humans. I have been in a position to witness this on many occasions.This also includes the intelligence of animals particularly chimpanzees.
Most animals in circuses are well looked after.I get very upset when I read of animal cruelty committed by farmers, yobos and so called animal lovers who keep up to 100 dogs,cats etc.The unfortunate elephants in Thailand that have no work due to the exploits of man also upset me. As does the plight of polar bears due to climate change. Circus and zoo animals should count themselves fortunate that they have carers who are financially able to keep them.
Mr Lacey is one of the few animal presenters still working in the UK. One has to go aboad to see acts that would have at one time been available to the British public in Christmas shows such as the now long defunct Bertram Mills Circus at Olympia.
I am in agreement with the Born Free Foundation regarding the rescue of animals that are being ill treated but please leave circus animals alone as the majority are being well cared for.
The Lacey family are an inspiration in animal well being.
Complain about this postys i would agree with above.if we are going to look at circuses then lets look at a wider picture.animals are used for a much wider range of things remember(working animals)
what these animal rights people dont do,is go into the big top,if they did they would see the animals are not being made to perform terrible tricks but simply only things they do in the wild.
as for watching Martin with train these animals,i would think he would only welcome you.he has spent many years trying to educate the public on this matter.
animal rights also in my experience stand outside circuses giving out leaflets of cruelty ,involving shows abroad,and not in england
Lets get something straight.in 150 years of animal inspections at british circuses,there has only ever been 5 prosecutions.when you consider the problems daily ,with people and there pets,this is a record to be Proud of,the industry should be shouting this from the roof tops.
Complain about this postNext year the goverment are to bring in very strict guidelines to protect circus animals.even though these animals will then live in the finest conditions,and there will be no doubt that these animals are well cared for,the animal rights people will still protest. i wonder how many of these people keep dogs locked up bored in there houses/flats all day every day
Talk about stuck in the dark ages! Wild animals have never belonged in circuses, in the year 2007 it is incredible that anyone could think otherwise. Sad too that the 成人快手 wasn't minded to involve more advanced, up to date views on this subject. It is very much a minority view that wild animals should be subjected to such inhuman confinement and treatment for simple human entertainment and no amount of whining self interest from the likes of Martin Lacey will change this. Human society has evolved.
Complain about this postSir/Madam
The idea that only 5 prosecutions in 150 years, is proof of adequate welfare conditions in animal circuses, beggars belief (Lee 31st Dec). What it is proof of, is the almost total lack of legislation that supposedly protects these animals. Firstly, (and quite amazingly!) circuses are not subject to the conditions of either the Dangerous Wild Animals Act or the Zoo Licensing Act, which any other facility which houses such animals has to comply with. Even the 1925 regulations that refer to performing animals do not consider their welfare conditions. Animals in circuses are at the mercy of individuals, that at best, know precious little about the animals in their care. These animals are subjected to harsh training regimes (no, Mr Lacey, you cannot train a tiger the same as a domestic dog!). Undercover footage has shown the inherent cruelty in circuses that use animals. Yes, let's support circuses - but not those that use and abuse animals!
Complain about this postThe ongoing popularity of non-animal circuses demonstrates that the majority of the public rightly think that it is demeaning, humiliating and cruel for animals to be forced to "entertain" us. There is no comparison between wild animals living in the wild and those forced to do tricks in captivity and to be carted around the country in cages on trailers. No-one is allowed to see how the animals are trained in private and forced to do tricks, so the public only sees the results in the ring after the animals' spirit has been broken. There is so much entertainment available, no animal - wild or domestic - should be used, and animal circuses should be totally banned.
Complain about this postUnfortunately I missed the broadcast about Martin Lacey but I have had dealings with this man in the past. I have demonstrated outside his circuses several times and I have been shocked by the level of violence and abuse that has been dished out to demonstrators. Whilst I can accept that if you turn up to protest you can expect a little hassle what worries me is whether the same abuse is handed out to the innocent animals. It is not that long ago that the famous and supposedly well respected Chipperfield Circus was exposed for animal cruelty during training. Are we to believe that animals at Matin Lacey's circus do the pathetic tricks for love? The aggression shown by circus workers not just at this circus but others has cemented my view that these people should be nowhere near any animal.
Complain about this postAnimal circuses are a relic of the past and have no place in our more enlightened times. A number of all-human circuses have successfully toured the uk in recent years.
I hope 2007 will be the year when the animal circus finally ceases to exist.
Complain about this postA circus is no place for lions or other animals, according to an RSPCA report on animals in circuses; big cats are kept in wagons a whopping 90% of the time. It is important to note that circuses have been documented to use electric shocking devices and sticks with spikes in them.
Animals in circuses cannot live a natural life, kept in cramped cages with little access to exercise. Animals should not be assumed to be better off in a cage, denied much of what is natural to them and
forced cruelly to perform tricks, a life that I鈥檓 sure we wouldn鈥檛 want for ourselves or a companion dog or cat.
If the cruelty was not bad enough, circuses do not have educational value as they show animals doing things that are completely unnatural to them and teach children not to respect animals as individuals with their own lives.
Complain about this postAnd if listeners believe anything that circus people tell them, they'll believe anything!
What a waste of a programme.
Complain about this postI worked for Martin Lacey in the past as well as people such as the animal trainer Mary Chipperfield who, along with her husband and elephant keeper were convicted of animal cruelty). For two years I worked in animal circuses across the UK and lost count on the number of hours of video footage I shot which shows animals in serious distress, forced to live in filthy deprived conditions for the whole of their circus lives and animals being severely beaten, either during training or if the animals misbehaved. If you ever believed for one minute that animals are kindly encouraged to perform tricks and that they are well cared for then watch my hours of film and it will tell of a completely different story.
Complain about this postMy comments below will indicate that I come from a particular point of view on this topic, I am happy to hear such a wide variety of views but dissapointed that some posters have (in my opinion) misrepresented evidence etc:
Terry: I too worked in Animal Circus for some considerable periods of time & never saw the abuses you talk of, perhaps I had an open mind before I started?
Aran: Would that be the same RSPCA report that they commissioned and then didn't want to publish (Animals in Circuses and Zoos: Chiron's World? by Dr Marthe Kiley-Worthington) because it praised the conditions that animals were kept in, praised the relationships between animal & keeper and said that animals were positively affected by their relationship with people & trainers? Read the RSPCE report, it discusses all of your points in great detail. Excercise for example, visit a circus and witness the reality, not the spin, things move on!
Irene: You are correct that a number of Non animal shows have toured the UK for a number of years successfully. There are also now more animal circuses in the UK than there have been for a number of years. This is because people recognise the value of them and demand them.
Susan: There (to the best of my knowledge) has never been a prosecution of 'Chipperfields Circus'. There was however a prosecution of two animal trainers who had worked in that circus prior to its closure some 10 years previously. Is it me or does the truth not sound quite so inflamatory as your original ill informed comment?
Pam: Not quite true either. There are a number of agencies who are entitled to see animals at any time of day or night without appointment, a facility that they regularly take up. Mosr circus proprietors are happy to give members of the public access to their animals in the same way that farmers would, at reasonable times of day etc. Your implied comments about the 'unpopularity of animal circus' are responded to in my comment to Irene above.
Garry: The number of prosecutions is an appropriate statistical indicator, particularly when you consider the number of inspections that most travelling circuses undergo as compared to static zoos or circuses for example. Static Zoos etc are usually only inspected once or twice per year (in an animal health sense) whereas touring circuses are inspected each time they move grounds, considerably more often. It is strange that travelling animal shows of any kind are not bound by the same pieces of legislation as other enterprises (RSPCA research suggested that they meet the standards however, vetinary & industry codes of practice too make the same standards apply). Thankfully some of these issues will be addressed later this year as more legislation hits the book.
Keith: 'Very much a minority view?'. Guess what, well over two million people visited an animal circus in the UK last year, those people voted with their feet, not a massive number but substantial?
Victoria: I applaud your desire to see & experience for yourself what animal training is about before making your own mind up. There are a growing number of animal circuses around to enable you to do this.
Ms Mckenna: I am not quite sure as to the relevance as to your comments about the rescue of animals in France, I thought we were looking at the situation in the UK where such discussions can be of help & value?
This majority thing again, there are some who hold other views about majorities. Some say that the majority is anti-immigration, I can't see it myself. The great thing about living in this Democracy of ours is that minority views count and that it is acceptable for that minority to hold their view and in most cases express it. I shall not criticise you for holding your view but shall formulate my own view based on experience, study and hearing the views of other, your own included. I will also take notice that millions of others (a minority but a large one) hold views similar to my own.
Complain about this postMark: I would be surprised if Martin Laceys Bank Balance is as healthy as you seem to think it is. As I understand it running a circus is not a licence to print money, rather an opportunity to live a life that is hard but one that you love, working with animals & people that you love. A bit like being a hill farmer really, hard, gruelling, poor financial rewards but ultimately rewarding.
Hello, if I heard correctly and your first guest is 80 and he was subjected to the treatment at 17 or 18, the NHS could not have been responsible.
Complain about this postCan somebody please tell me what the signature tune to this show is pleeeease? I have to have it! Thanks.
Complain about this postIts amazing how attitudes change so quickly , its gone from a few fuddy duddys in the 60s and 70s to almost an entire population jumping on the PC bandwagon. WHY - its because media and press only show the worst possible side of this issue in the last ten years , quite simply the public have been brain washed by bias and bigotry.
I find it hard to believe that the majority of people in this country get so upset seeing animals perform in circuses , then when it suits them they are happy to buy lamb chops or have a nice steak on the bbq. ( something I am not condemming by the way )
One question to the so called animal rights brigade - if animal circuses are a thing of the past then how on earth are there still a nuber of decent animal shows still on the road.
Keep the flag flying Mr Lacey. Circus fans are very proud of you
Complain about this postBeing a professional juggler , I am concerned about circus and its future. Moving with the times must happen and in England animal circus will become a thing of the past in.
Martin Lacey does himself no favours by addmiting on radio that he shot 2 bears that he says were surplus to requirment, and also hidding a sick (broken jaw) lioness from an RSPCA inspection.
It seems that most people want to see the back of animal circus as we move with the times and with the likes of the current britsh (non animal) touring circuses and international circus like Cirque Solei I think cirus is turning into a different creature that we all know.
Complain about this post