Lancaster Reindeer Day organisers defend event against petition to exclude live animals

Lancaster BID (Business Improvement District) is running its annual Reindeer Day on Sunday 1st December at St Nic’s Arcade whilst being faced with a petition to ban the event.

The reindeer are set to be displayed between 12pm to 3pm with Santa, as well as including free face painting and fairground rides.

A petition has been set up by Lancaster Animal Protection called “Stop Lancaster BID’s Reindeer Day”, and already has around 1,400 signatures.

In the petition, Lancaster Animal Protection explains that the animals travel from Scotland for the event from their home in a National Park and are placed on a concrete floor in the shopping centre, meaning they are unable to exhibit their normal behaviours and can cause the animals unnecessary stress.

Lancaster BID hit back and said: “We are aware of the petition against this event and would like to reassure the public that we care deeply about the welfare of the animals and ensure they are always well cared for.”

A spokesman from Lancaster BID said: “Whilst we respect that individuals may have their own beliefs, the data being used by Lancaster Animal Protection is misleading and is largely not applicable to the reindeer we bring to the city.”

“Lancaster BID have only ever booked reindeer from the Cairngorm Reindeer herd which roam freely in the Cairngorm mountains throughout the year, other than travelling to festive events for a maximum of two weeks.”

Most Read

Exposed: The six MAFS UK 2024 cast members who already have new partners since the show

Another MAFS UK 2024 groom has posted a new girlfriend since the show and I can’t keep up

The Love Is Blind cast members who have turned to OnlyFans after failing in the pods

Lancaster BID is a company which represents private businesses in the city centre, it spends money collected from a levy paid by businesses, in order to run events and make improvements to the city.

The Reindeer Day is just one of many events that Lancaster BID runs which include the Lancaster Christmas Light Switch On, Lancaster’s Winter Wonderland, Lancaster Music Festival and a Christmas Character Day.

The petition can be found here.

Featured image via @lancasteranimalprotection on Instagram