LION TAMER’S BIG CAT BAN
BRITAIN’S last lion tamer could soon be forced to hang up his bullwhip after being refused a licence to use big cats in a travelling circus.
Thomas Chipperfield, 28, was hoping to show off his two lions and Bengal tiger on a grand tour of the UK.
But the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is aiming for an outright ban on wild animals in travelling circuses.
And though circuses are currently subject to regulations which expire in 2020, Defra bosses said they felt existing “licensing conditions” around animals could not be met by Mr Chipperfield on the road.
The tamer, who started working with circus animals aged 15, was appealing against Defra’s decision.
But he was left fuming when it was upheld at North Staffordshire Magistrates’ Court.
Thomas, whose ancestor James Chipperfield first displayed animals in 1684, has promised to lodge a second appeal against the decision.
He said: “I have consistently acted in good faith with my team on the advice given by the circus licensing panel and their inspectors. This advice was often conflicting.”
A Government consultation previously found 94.5% of the public in favour of banning wild animals in circuses, as happens in more than 40 other countries.
A Defra spokesman said: “We remain absolute in our commitment to banning wild animals in circuses and intend to introduce the ban prior to the regulations expiring in January 2020.
“Until we are able to achieve this, we will impose the strictest possible standards to ensure the welfare needs of these animals are met.”
One joker responded on social media with the post: “Poor man. It’ll be difficult to find another job when you only have lion tamer on your CV.”