I saw a copy of your paper while staying with my friend in Oxford, and was disappointed to see a picture of a tethered circus camel featured prominently in the 'Events Listings' section.

The photograph carried the caption: 'One hump or two? Circus time near Enstone'.

It is well known that animals suffer terribly in travelling circuses, which can never provide adequate living quarters and conditions.

These unfortunate creatures are carted from location to location in beast wagons, then chained or tethered, their nightly performance often being the only 'exercise' they receive.

Animals are driven by their instincts. They need the right environment, climate, social groupings, interactions with other species, vegetation and the opportunity to live out their lives as nature intended.

Circuses frustrate these instincts, day in, day out. Often the resultant stress is so severe that the animal slowly becomes insane, and most exhibit some form of stereotypic behaviour after years of confinement all in the name of 'entertainment'.

The terrible suffering endured on the back of woefully inadequate transportation and living conditions is further compounded by the barbaric training methods.

Metal hooks, whips, electric goads, winching and hoisting techniques are often employed, and fear is a major motivator for the animal to 'learn'.

Even the Government has started to address the issue. More than 100 MPs recently signed a motion prohibiting the use of performing animals in circuses.

Environment minister Ben Bradshaw has been quoted as saying that performances by wild animals in circuses are "not compatible with their needs".

All the major animal welfare organisations condemn the practice the Captive Animals Protection Society, the RSPCA and Animal Defenders. All are opposed to the use of animals in circuses.

So I urge you and your readers to respond to the plight of animals in circuses. Please don't continue to perpetuate the myth that, somehow, this can be acceptable in a modern society.

We know too much to bury our heads in the sand. We have to oppose this suffering and help to end it once and for all.

Publishing images like a tethered circus camel for entertainment illustrates that pockets of ignorance still exist.

Emma Bailey, Bournemouth