SHARE
COPY LINK

ANIMALS

Animal rights activists blast Paris’ Moulin Rouge over snake act

Animal rights activists have launched a campaign against Paris institution the Moulin Rouge, complaining that the storied cabaret is immersing non-aquatic snakes in water on stage.

Animal rights activists blast Paris' Moulin Rouge over snake act
The Moulin Rouge logo during the celebration of the 130th anniversary of the French oldest cabaret, in Paris. (Photo by GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP)

The daily show at the Moulin Rouge includes a sequence with a dancer playing with large pythons in a pool of water.

“The snakes have no business being there,” said Amandine Sanvisens, co-founder of the PAZ animal rights group, which has launched a petition against the act.

“Throughout the scene, the snake is trying to keep its head out of the water. This isn’t the right environment for reptiles,” added Sanvisens, who demonstrated outside the Moulin Rouge in late December.

The cabaret founded in 1889 told the Parisien newspaper last month: “We have never mistreated and will never mistreat animals.” It claimed it used “a species of aquatic python, equally at home in the water as on land” in the show.

But Alice Georges, a keeper at exotic pet shop Ferme Tropicale de Paris, said she had spotted reticulated pythons and Indian pythons in videos of the act posted online. 

“These aren’t aquatic snakes. What they’re being forced to endure is horrible,” she said.

Paris city hall told AFP the show does not fall under its jurisdiction.

Meanwhile the Moulin Rouge appears to sit in a loophole in a 2021 law that forbids using wild animals in nightclubs or on TV from this year and bans owning them from 2028.

Hailed by President Emmanuel Macron’s camp at the time as an animal rights coup, the law has both sparked a backlash from circus owners and been criticised by animal rights groups for not going far enough on issues like hunting, industrial farming or bull-fighting.

“The law hasn’t managed to cover every case and will have to be improved,” said Loic Dombreval, an MP who co-wrote the original text.

“We’re waiting to see what comes next, whether or not a criminal complaint will be filed,” a Moulin Rouge spokeswoman told AFP.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
For members

ANIMALS

Reader question: Is pet insurance compulsory in France?

Owning a pet can be expensive enough, but there are some breeds of animal for which additional insurance is compulsory.

Reader question: Is pet insurance compulsory in France?

Having pet insurance is merely optional – and a pretty good idea – for most pet owners.

It is, however, a legal requirement for anyone who owns certain breeds of dogs.

What dogs must have pet insurance?

Officially, the only people who must have pet insurance against material damage or bodily harm it may cause are the owners of dangerous dogs, or guard dogs, known as 1re or 2e catégorie dogs.

Owners of these animals are obliged to have insurance guaranteeing civil liability. You can take out specific insurance, called private life civil liability.

If you have comprehensive home insurance, civil liability coverage may be included in your home insurance contract – check your level of cover to be sure.

READ ALSO What is the law on dangerous dogs in France?

Dogs for which pet insurance is required include American Staffordshire terriers, rottweilers, mastiffs, and Tosas – and dogs that are crossed with these animals.

Purebred dogs should be registered in the livre généalogique, known as livre des origines françaises (Lof) which is held and maintained by the société centrale canine, or in a similar register from another country that is recognised by society.

Not having the correct insurance for these animals leaves owners liable to a fine of up to €450.

In case of doubt, it is up to a veterinarian to determine the breed of a dog, so owners may want to obtain a veterinary certificate confirming the breed of their pet in case of a police check.

READ ALSO What you need to know about microchipping your pet in France

There are strict additional rules on keeping so-called dangerous dogs, which you can read here

What about everyone else?

If you own a different breed or dog, or another type of pet, insurance is not required.

It may, however, be a good idea – the owner of any pet is responsible for any damage that their pet may cause – whether it is in their care or has strayed – so some form of insurance may be a good idea, anyway.

READ ALSO EXPLAINED: The ways you can adopt a pet in France

Comprehensive home insurance includes civil liability coverage which may cover damage that may be caused by your animal – check your policy to be sure.

The reason that most people have insurance is to cover vet bills, which can easily run into hundreds of euro if your pet has an accident or gets ill.

If you can’t afford insurance or vet fees, there are charities that can help including the SPA and Fondation Assistance aux Animaux – more details here.

SHOW COMMENTS