Audincourt, France – A circus set up illegally this Friday on avenue de la Révolution is prompting a swift response from Mayor Martial Bourquin, who vowed to uphold local values and regulations. The unauthorized installation, involving animals, is “contrary to our values,” Bourquin stated in a press release, adding that the city will “denounce and take action” against such occurrences.
Circus Returns to Site of Previous Controversy
The same circus that operated legally in the area last summer is now facing legal challenges for establishing itself without permission.
- Mayor Martial Bourquin is actively opposing the circus’s presence.
- The circus established itself on land owned by Aldi, without authorization.
- A similar circus operated legally at the same location last July, sparking concerns about animal welfare.
- A complaint will be filed regarding the illegal occupation of the land.
Bourquin immediately contacted Aldi management, who confirmed they had not authorized the circus to use their property—land adjacent to the former store on rue Richard-Perlinski. “Always in liaison with the management of the supermarket, we went there with the national and municipal police officers to request the evacuation of the premises,” the mayor continued. When the circus operators refused to leave, a bailiff was called to document the illegal occupation. “A complaint will be filed. The community remains fully mobilized to enforce the law, protect the values it defends and guarantee compliance with the rules on its territory,” Bourquin asserted.
What are the concerns surrounding this circus’s operations? The situation echoes a similar incident from July, when the same circus set up its marquee at the same location. While that earlier installation was permitted, the SPA du Pays de Montbéliard, an animal welfare organization based in Allondans, publicly criticized “the deplorable state of the animals” and “the unacceptable conditions in which they were kept” on their Facebook page.
Mayor Bourquin expressed surprise that permission was granted for the July operation, stating, “We were surprised that a private person gave his approval.” At that time, the circus operator, who has faced similar criticism in other French cities, did not respond to requests for comment.
