McLaren Circus performances grind to halt

McLAREN Circus performances have been postponed indefinitely at its stop-off venue in Muizenberg after the events permit for the travelling circus was suspended.

On Tuesday evening City Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith confirmed that the permit for the circus was suspended following Cape of Good Hope SPCA concerns related to animal welfare.

Circus spokesperson Karl Hildebrandt did not respond to questions by deadline.

In a social media post, McLaren Circus said: “We are sorry to announce the postponement of our shows.

“We have received a notice from the City of Cape Town that the event has been withdrawn until the Cape of Good Hope SPCA provides written confirmation that their requirements are met.

“These warnings, which we are acknowledging as recommendations, have already been attended to. We await the Cape of Good Hope SPCA to issue a statement in this regard, after the follow-up inspection.

“Most of the points listed on the warnings were minor concerns and were attended to within a matter of minutes before the end of the day (on Monday).”

The circus has offered refunds to patrons who had already booked and paid for tickets.

Earlier this week, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA issued the travelling circus with a warning after Animal Welfare Act contraventions were identified during an inspection.

The contraventions included the dental state of three poodles, caged conditions of the lions and tigers as well as animal enclosures/cages of the animals which were found to be “unhygienic and had a putrid smell”.