In the House of Commons on Friday, June 3rd, Commander
Kenworthy's Bill to prohibit public performances by trained animals was defeated. It is a subject of regret that the Bill should have lent itself at numerous points to very easy ridicule. It certainly was badly drafted. All the same, the intention of the Bill was excellent, and we have no doubt that before long a better Bill will be introduced and passed. The Plumage Bill, though it was competently drafted, was at first beaten only to rise again and triumph. There is very little training of Animals for public performances without cruelty. Inspection of training is next door to useless because real cruelty is often applied only in the early stages of training. When an animal has acquired a habit it will retain it through life. Many showmen who treat their animals kindly originally taught them the tricks by disgusting cruelty. Fortunately, public opinion about these performances is improving. Few people nowadays are much amused by them. Some of us would regard them as a bore if we did not regard them as intolerable. The subject has been referred to a Select Committee, and the Government have promised to back the decisions of that Committee.
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