An undercover investigation into a circus in Italy has revealed the horrific reality behind the “entertaining” visuals: animal abuse and exploitation of workers

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Images from animal circuses in Italy reveal bleak reality

An undercover investigation into a circus in Italy has revealed the sad reality behind the “entertaining” visuals: animal abuse and exploitation of workers.

Eurogroup for Animals’ member, LAV, in collaboration with Franz Weber Foundation, has just launched the investigation “Il sistema circhi”, a project that highlights the same systemic issues in circuses across 19  different locations.

The two organisations received images recorded at Circo Medini in the first month of 2026, revealing poor conditions including:

• Physical abuse of animals.
• Violation of labour conditions: workers without appropriate contracts, with no safety standards in the workplace and subjected to verbal abuse.
• Unhygienic conditions and illegal dumping of manure.
   

For the first time, a person has managed to infiltrate a circus in Europe. For four months, he recorded footage both during the shows and, above all, behind the scenes, bringing to light a picture of violence and humiliation. Faced with these images, no one will be able to say that the circus is a cultural spectacle

LAV

Image

LAV | Franz Weber Foundation

The two organisations wanted to highlight, however, that this is not a one-off case, but rather a systematic status quo existing in circuses making use of animals. Touring in nine regions across 19 circuses, undercover investigations revealed the horrific situations animals face in such places, including being trapped for hours or days on end, facing beatings, kicks and blows. The findings of these videos have been reported to the relevant authorities.

Twenty-three of the EU's 27 Member States have introduced restrictions on the use of animals in circuses, or have banned the use of wild animals altogether. However, animals are still permitted to perform in circuses in several large EU countries, as decisions on circus animal legislation ultimately stand at national, and not EU level.

LAV calls on the relevant authorities in Italy to finally ban the use of animals in circuses, bringing Italy into line with the growing number of European countries that have already adopted similar measures.

Concerned citizens are encouraged to join the call here.