THE OWNER of a controversial circus which has a variety of animals currently living in a field off the Kington bypass has asked residents to ignore boycott calls.

Peter Jolly’s Circus will be housed on the A44 near the market town until Sunday, complete with a camel, a fox, zebras and a parrot.

The circus is one of two in the country to have been licensed by the Secretary of State to use wild animals and is inspected three times a year.

Animal Defenders International (ADI) has called for people to boycott the circus, stating that the animals’ welfare is being compromised.

“ADI has repeatedly documented the suffering and abuse of wild animals in circuses," said President Jan Creamer.

"Circuses simply cannot meet the needs of wild animals in small, mobile accommodation. The government has promised a ban, but we’re asking people to vote with their feet – don’t go to a circus with animals.

"The suffering endured by animals in circuses is well documented and scientifically established. Given the constant travel and their temporary nature, circuses cannot provide animals with adequate facilities to keep them physically or psychologically healthy. Welfare is always compromised."

However, Peter Jolly argued that people should see the animals themselves before forming an opinion.

He said: "Why should national businesses like ADI tell the people of Kington what they can and can't do?

"We do everything above board and if the inspections say we are doing nothing wrong then we aren't.

"People need to see for themselves to make their own judgement and not believe what they hear.

"We have three inspections a year, of which two are unannounced which is more than any zoo. People have the right not to like the circus but they should let other people decide for themselves.

"Just to have a parrot we have to fill out three sheets of paper four times a day with information which includes its environment, its toys and the weather."

Some of the animals on show at the circus include Cashmere the camel, Sam the fox, Reg the raccoon, Frosty the reindeer and Zulu the baby zebra, who is four months old.

Also on display are llamas and performing cats.

"The animals are used to the travelling like a racing horse is used to travelling between races," added Mr Jolly.

"The traditional meaning of the word circus means horses running around so those with no animals shouldn't be called a circus."

The circus will remain in Kington until Sunday, after which it will be moving to Hay-on-Wye where it will be open from next Wednesday until Sunday.