A CIRCUS boss has claimed there is ‘prejudice’ against the use of performing animals after the Government hinted it was set to ban them.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has said she is “minded” to outlaw the use of elephants, tigers, lions and other exotic creatures in travelling shows under a policy that has the support of the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

Pressure has been mounting after an elderly circus elephant with arthritis was filmed by an animal rights group being abused by her groom.

The moves comes after a Government consultation last year saw 95.5% of those responding say they did not think there was any species of wild animal that could acceptably be used in circuses.

But as Circus Mondao, one of the few remaining circuses to use animals, pitches up in Mirfield to run between tomorrow and Sunday, spokeswoman Petra Jackson said there was a “blinkered” attitude to their show.

The circus uses horses, zebras, camels and dogs and Ms Jackson said they could be hit by the ban.

She said: “Unfortunately it could affect us as our zebras and camels are classed as wild animals even though they’re not likely to eat you.

“They’re stabled, they’re not kept in cages or chained up like an elephant would be.

“Our animals are part of our family, they’ve been with us for a very long time and it would be very upsetting if we had to re-home them.

“People are very blinkered about the circus; animal campaign groups have all the money in the world to campaign against the circus.