ANIMAL welfare watchdogs are threatening legal action against a circus which they claim is displaying highly defamatory hoardings.

The RSPCA has been outraged by the posters used by Circus King and is demanding their immediate removal.

The posters, which allege that the charity "gave the police three dogs to kick and torture", have appeared at Yorkshire venues where the circus has appeared, including Scarborough.

Police in South Yorkshire have already verbally cautioned the circus for displaying the poster in Barnsley. But the circus has continued to display the signs outside its winter quarters, near Grantham, Lincolnshire.

The RSPCA's regional manager for the North-East, Alan Wolinski, said: "These allegations are outrageous and utterly defamatory and the latest in efforts from this circus to undermine our campaign against performing animals.

"It is disgraceful that anyone should suggest that the RSPCA would be responsible for causing suffering when our fundamental aims and objectives are to prevent cruelty and promote kindness.

"We are demanding the removal of this highly offensive material and will consider legal action."

The charity recently complained to the Advertising Standards Authority after Circus King and others implied they were endorsed by the RSPCA.

The circuses were forced to remove such statements after the authority ruled that they implied endorsement where none existed.

The RSPCA believes the latest posters refer to a case two years ago when a police dog trainer was prosecuted for cruelty.

The circus could not be contacted for comment last night.