Gervais and Fry Call for Ban on Animal Attractions
- Ricky Gervais and Stephen Fry have urged the Labour Party to ban cruel animal attractions following reports of poor conditions for animals, such as polar bears and chained monkeys.
- The Tories had previously failed to address these issues, leading to public outcry.
- Activists and celebrities are now pressing for legislative changes to improve animal welfare.
Ricky Gervais and Stephen Fry have called for stronger enforcement of the Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act, which was enacted by the Conservative government in September. This legislation aims to prohibit British travel companies from promoting or selling tickets to animal attractions that do not meet specific welfare standards. Gervais expressed concern that the law, now in effect during the summer holiday season, is failing to prevent animal suffering at tourist attractions. Gervais criticized the law as ineffective, stating, “What a waste and what terrible cruelty to animals all over the world.” He emphasized the urgent need for the government to take action to ensure that animals are not subjected to cruel conditions for entertainment purposes. Fry echoed these sentiments, referencing a survey by Animals Asia that revealed over 75% of the public would avoid travel agents that sell tickets to mistreated animals. Campaigners highlight that approximately one in three UK holidaymakers—around 17.3 million people—have witnessed animal cruelty while traveling abroad, including at zoos, sanctuaries, and circuses. One individual recounted a heartbreaking experience of seeing a majestic animal in distress, lamenting their previous ignorance about the suffering they inadvertently supported. Both Gervais and Fry are advocating for the government to take immediate steps to ensure the law is effective in protecting animals from cruelty in tourist attractions, emphasizing the need for a robust framework to uphold animal welfare standards.