Protest at circus turns ugly as activist is taken to hospital after assault

A Gqeberha animal activist underwent surgery after allegedly being assaulted during a protest near the circus on Saturday night.

Ralph West, a prominent animal and environmental activist, was reportedly assaulted during a protest at King’s Beach, Gqeberha, on Saturday night against the use of animals by McLaren Circus. He underwent surgery on Sunday.

While animal rights activists insisted that their protest was peaceful, McLaren Circus spokesperson Karl Hildebrandt said on Sunday they were “disturbed” by the events.

West said on Friday that he had informed circus owner David McLaren (whom he described as “the chief dick” in a Facebook post) that he was not welcome in Nelson Mandela Bay.

Hildebrandt said there was no “peace” in the protest by Planty, Bru! and Beauty without Cruelty.