RING OF FEAR

Big cats suffer as Brit tamer wields whips & prods, protesters say

- NADA FARHOUD

HE describes them as the perfect killing machines, but that does not stop controversial tamer Martin Jr Lacey from forcing his big cats to perform at Europe's biggest circus.

Three tigers and 22 lions, his "breathtaking predators", are part of his act at Circus Krone in Germany - the last country in the EU not to have introduced plans for a full or partial ban on the use of wild animals.

But experts warn that while the artists perform voluntarily, the animals are trained to do so - by fear.

For them, life in the circus also means years of suffering, say campaigners constantly moving from place to place in exhausting journeys. When they are not performing for entertainment, they endure a miserable life in a cage.

Lacey's use of wild animals, which has also included a hippo, elephants and zebras, has been criticised. A few weeks ago protesters were kicked out of the €60 (£51) show - which also uses camels, horses and dogs.

"The suffering of animals in circuses must end," said Peter Hoffken, of PETA Germany. "Tradition does not justify cruelty to animals."

This newspaper watched while British Lacey, 47, entered the circus ring in Munich for his dangerous performance alongside his 17-year-old son Alexis.

While the band above pumps out Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love, Martin Jr grabs a male lion's tail and pretends to use it as a microphone.