Conditional approval granted for Hadi Shrine Circus animal exhibition permit

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Officials say on November 15, the Evansville Animal Control and Education Commission granted a conditional approval by a vote of 4-1 on the animal exhibition permit for the Hadi Shrine Circus.

According to officials with Evansville Animal Advocacy (EvAA), this vote was based on ongoing animal welfare concerns and public complaints from last year about camels and buffaloes being whipped to perform, in violation of the Evansville Municipal Code 6.05 Animal Control, Section 6.05.040 Prohibited Acts (A) (17), which states: "No animal may be induced or encouraged to perform through the use of chemical, mechanical, electrical or manual devices in a manner which will cause or is likely to cause physical injury or suffering to the animal." The CEO of the Vanderburgh Humane Society (VHS), Kendall Paul, cast the "nay" vote for the second consecutive year, which emphasizes the concern around the treatment of circus animals.

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EvAA says this year, the animal acts covered under the permit are camels, zebras, horses, ponies, dogs and house cats. The permit was approved contingent upon the following key conditions being satisfied:

Pre-show inspection of the animals by Evansville Animal Control Officers to ensure they are meeting animal welfare standards, and to train designated members of the Hadi Shrine Circus on how to identify violations of the City Codes during the circus performances.

Random spot checks to be done by the circus organizers during the animal performances, under obligation to report any suspected violations to Evansville Animal Control and to cooperate for any subsequent investigations.

Officials say in light of these concerns, the public was also encouraged to report any suspected animal abuse or usage of illegal devices such as whips or any City Code violations to the Evansville Animal Control Officers.