BREAKING NEWS: Owners of Anne the elephant charged over attacks
The owners of a circus elephant called Anne have been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to the animal.
The Crown Prosecution Service said it had taken over the prosecution of Bobby and Moira Roberts from Animal Defenders International “given the public concern over the case”.
The pair will appear before Corby Magistrates’ Court, in Northamptonshire, on November 16 charged with causing the elephant unnecessary suffering, failing to take reasonable steps to prevent an employee from causing unnecessary suffering, and failing to ensure the elephant’s needs were met.
The pair are accused of keeping Anne, a 58-year-old elephant brought from Sri Lanka to The Bobby Roberts Super Circus in Polebrook, Northamptonshire in the 1950s, chained to the ground at all times.
They are also accused of failing to prevent an employee from repeatedly beating Anne.
A CPS spokesman said: “Given the public concern over the case, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, has now agreed that the CPS take over and continue the legal proceedings against the Roberts.”
They were originally the focus of a private prosecution by Animal Defenders International (ADI), a worldwide animal welfare organisation, following its undercover investigation between January 21 and February 15 this year.
But ADI’s legal representatives contacted the CPS earlier this month, asking them to take over the prosecution.
Arthritic Anne is now living at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire to see out her days in a 13-acre paddock, with her owners’ consent.
Jan Creamer, ADI’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted that the CPS are taking on this prosecution and will assist them as necessary.”
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There are 4 comments to this article
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marjorie
Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 08:19 PMThats good news, justice shall be done. Its a shame the evil man (who was from Hampshire) last week in the news who hunted and skinned beautifull elephants and other animals in the wild could be presecuted as well.
TeddyMcnabb
Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 06:35 PMI strongly welcome criminal charges being brought, it is right and proper, NOW when will the "culture of impunity" on criminal charges cease in respect of vulnerable people being abused, lets bring and end to this haunting sick of "disciplinary bodies" deciding , criminal charges first then the "disciplinary bodies" second. The recent case of the mental nurse molesting vulnerable people is a pointer. I intend to email Margot James M.P [con] as it is now the 1st anniversary of her cross party debate in whitehall on sheltered housing, which began with revelations of vulnerable residents being bullied and leaned on, be interesting to see what her response if any. as to charges being brought on the culprits.
seedee
Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 05:22 PMI am not a bearded animal rights type, but when I say the poor old girl being beaten like that I felt really angry. She is an old lady who has not got much time left, but what time she does have should be good.
jessbow
Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 04:00 PMGood, no animal should suffer at the hands of a human
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