Circus Rony Roller in Lazio faces animal abuse allegations amid public funding

Animal‑rights groups LAV and the Franz Weber Foundation recorded extensive mistreatment of animals at the Rony Roller circus in Viterbo, Lazio. footage showed animals confined in tiny cages, beaten with whips, deprived of water – the hippopotamus lacked a pool – and exhibiting stress‑related stereotypic behaviors. Undernourished horses and unchecked public interaction with camels and llamas were also documented.

The circus receives public financing from the Ministry of Culture, with €19,789.56 allocated for circus activities in 2025 and an additional €12,345.50 for special projects. LAV’s president Felicetti questioned whether Minister Giuli and Under‑Secretary Cannella “are aware of what they are financing” and urged the ministry to enforce the 2022 delegation law that will expire on 31 December. He added, “Seeing these images makes us wonder whether local administrators truly want to guarantee such treatment for their citizens.”

LAV noted that similar conditions have been observed at other Italian circuses during tours across nine regions, describing a systemic problem they term the “circus system.”