A TRAVELLING circus which visited Hereford this week has defended itself over its use of performing animals.

Circus Mondao pitched up on the city's racecourse for four days of shows featuring its animals which include a zebra, horses, camels, llamas, reindeer and others.

Members of Hereford Animal Protection League staged a peaceful protest outside the showground on Thursday night and said they thought wild animals should not be used for entertainment.

But Circus Mondao’s ringmistress, Petra Jackson, has defended the circus' treatment of its animals which are 'part of the family' and said that people support dressage events and dog agility competitions when they are not in a circus ring.

She said: "People go to county shows and there will be pig racing or sheep racing for example but put it in a circus and it’s all wrong because animal rights groups have made circus a dirty word.

"Maybe going back 30 to 40 years ago the animal welfare wasn’t as good as it is now but going back 30 to 40 years ago animal welfare in farming, kennels and stables etc wasn’t as good. As time has gone on we have learnt what animals need to have a good life."

The circus’ camels are Bactrian camels which are native to the colder climates of Mongolia and Russia while the circus’ Zebra was born in Ireland and bred in captivity.

But protesters believe using wild animals is outdated and should be banned entirely.

Tim Barclay, a spokesman for Hereford Animal Protection League, said: "We find it is undignified, it's not fair on the animals and we don't feel that using animals for entertainment is something that should be happening in the 21st century."

Mr Barclay said animals are transported from 'show to show' in cages and added he thought that was 'inhumane'.

He added that the league, which also raises funds for animal charities and local causes, is an umbrella organisation and does not agree with animals being used in any way outside their natural environment.

"Our stables are loose boxes and we have paddocks up," said Ms Jackson.

"When we are on a more secure field the camels wander loose. They get out every day on fresh grass and every week we are on a new site with fresh grass like this."

For more information of Hereford Animal Protection League visit facebook.com/HerefordAnimalProtectionLeague

For more information on Circus Mondao visit circusmondao.co.uk