Europa-Park Removes Dog Act After Abuse Allegations in Circus Videos

Secretly recorded videos from the backstage area of the winter circus "Monte Carlo Circus Festival meets Europa-Park" in Rust have seriously implicated a dog trainer. The footage shows the trainer striking and intimidating dogs with a rope. The Veterinary Office of the Ortenau District filed charges with the Public Prosecutor's Office in Offenburg after reviewing the material. Europa-Park immediately removed the act from its program.

The dog show was part of "Monte Carlo Circus Festival meets Europa-Park," which runs at the park until January 18 and welcomed Princess Stéphanie of Monaco as a guest at its November opening. The trainer involved has previously appeared with his dogs in numerous television shows.

Three videos, anonymously provided to the animal rights organization PETA, document a trainer striking a dog with a rope while the animals display severe signs of fear, cowering and yelping. PETA's animal psychologist, Jana Hoger, identified clear physical violence in the footage and stated that the dogs' reactions indicate repeated mistreatment. The anonymous report received by PETA also spoke of ongoing animal cruelty.

The Veterinary Office of the Ortenau District took the allegations seriously. At Europa-Park's initiative, an on-site inspection took place on December 16, initially finding no violations. After receiving the videos on December 17, authorities revised their assessment. Martin Straube from the Veterinary Office described the handling shown as clearly based on coercion and punishment, calling it no longer acceptable. The office then filed charges. Circus operations are subject to the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act (Section 11) and require official permission. The responsible veterinary office at the animal owner's residence was promptly informed to coordinate further steps.

Europa-Park responded without delay. Park spokesman Florian Kornprobst stated that the treatment of the animals deeply troubled the company and contradicted the park's values. The dog show had already been removed from the program before PETA's official notification. In the future, the winter circus will focus more on acrobatics, dance, and comedy.

PETA is also filing criminal charges with the Public Prosecutor's Office in Freiburg, citing a clear violation of the Animal Welfare Act. The organization demands a ban on the trainer keeping or caring for animals, as well as the immediate removal of the dogs. Jana Hoger stressed that the animals could remain exposed to violence as long as they stay in the trainer's care. PETA has called on the relevant veterinary office for immediate seizure and contacted Europa-Park's management directly. PETA further urged the park to permanently end animal acts.

In 2017, the park discontinued an elephant show following heavy criticism over inappropriate keeping conditions. Regarding its own horse stunt show in the Spanish Arena, spokesman Kornprobst said it meets the criteria of Section 11 of the Animal Welfare Act.

Investigations are ongoing. Whether the dogs will be taken from the trainer will be decided by the responsible veterinary office at the owner's residence.

Video from PETA Germany: facebook.com