Scotland passes law to ban wild animals in circuses
BVA’s Scottish Branch president Melissa Donald welcomed the “progressive” law following a long campaign by vets.
Scottish Parliament has passed a bill to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses, making it the first country in the UK to pass such legislation.
The Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (Scotland) Bill was voted through by MSPs at the final stage three proceedings in Holyrood.
Speaking after the debate, cabinet secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “This is an important Act that will not only prevent travelling circuses ever showing wild animals in Scotland in the future but will demonstrate to the wider world that we are one of the growing number of countries that no longer condones the use of wild animals in this way.”
There are currently no circuses using wild animals in Scotland, but they have visited in the past.
BVA’s Scottish Branch president Melissa Donald welcomed the “progressive” law following a long campaign by vets.
“While this issue may not affect a great number of individual animals, the strength of cross-party support for this ban reflects the fact that the use of wild animals in this way is emblematic of the way we treat all animals,” she added.
“This law, the first of its kind in the UK, really marks Scotland out as a leader in animal welfare.”
The bill is now awaiting royal assent and a date for implementation.
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
