Letter in Irish Independent newspaper: End circus animal acts I applaud the proposed introduction of a bill by the Solidarity party to ban the use of animals in circuses. There is no excuse for compelling wild or domestic animals to perform for the amusement of humans. Many of us recall attending circuses in our childhood and being mesmorised by the tigers, lions and monkeys cavorting about. It was just innocent fun to us, not being aware of what the animals had to endure. We didn't know, or understand, that they were confined for days at a time in cramped cages or crates in the backs of lorries. But we grew up and now we do know what goes on behind the facade of the Big Top. Hopefully, all circuses will soon be required to dispense with the use of animals. But such an innovation should be followed up quickly with a ban on live hare coursing. In this practise, animals are also snatched from the wild, confined in unnatural conditions, and then forced to perform for human amusement. So, once we have freed animals from circuses, let's have a free vote in the Dáil to end the vile circus of animal cruelty that is live hare coursing. John Fitzgerald Callan, Co Kilkenny