Lancaster Animal Protection says ‘UK law is failing reindeer displayed in Lancaster’

Lancaster Animal Protection (LAP), a local organisation dedicated to animal welfare, is raising awareness about the use of live reindeer in festive activities.

The group has set up a petition about banning all live reindeer events, not just exclusively the ones happening in Lancaster.

LAP has compared the live reindeer events to a travelling circus as they are subject to similar conditions and claim that legislation in the UK is not sufficiently protecting their welfare.

The Wild Animals in Circuses Act 2019 prohibits the use of wild animals in performances as part of a travelling circus. However, displaying reindeer in shopping centres is not illegal, although the conditions these animals experience in both scenarios could arguably be considered similar, the group says.

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Isobel McNally, Campaigns Officer, Freedom for Animals, told The Lancaster Tab: “Every year we see more and more festive events from Christmas lights switch-ons to annual parades choose to break with their outdated traditions and move away from displaying live reindeer in favour of hiring talented human performers.

“It seems that Lancaster BID is firmly stuck in the past in their support of animal exploitation for entertainment, and this campaign aims to bring them into the present with the support of local residents and businesses.”

Lancaster Animal Protection’s first demonstration was on Thursday 14th November. The event took place across from Lancaster Town Hall, coinciding with Lancaster BID’s (Business Improvement District) annual awards ceremony. The demonstration was family-friendly and featured a large, cheerful inflatable reindeer animated by a willing volunteer, which delighted children passing by.

Another significant concern is the question of who funds Lancaster BID. Organisations such as Lancaster University, Stagecoach Buses, and Lancashire County Council, among others, sponsor and support BID events. Lancaster Animal Protection has reached out to all sponsors, confident that most of these businesses and organisations would not host live animal events themselves, as such exploitation of animals is inconsistent with their values.

LAP has urged the County Council to sever ties with Lancaster BID until they adopt an animal-free policy. As of this writing, the County Council has justified its £5,200 funding of BID on the grounds that it was specifically allocated for the live music element of BID’s Winter in the City event. However, the council’s response sidesteps the broader issue: Their financial support enables BID, an organisation using live animals for entertainment. LAP is awaiting a response to their follow-up email addressing this point.

Notably, Sarah Kemp, the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Engagement at Lancaster University, is one of the fourteen board members of Lancaster BID.

Rebecca Willmott, from Lancaster Animal Protection said to The Lancaster Tab: “As an advocate for animals, it is obvious to me that reindeer do not deserve to be transported hundreds of miles away from their home to be displayed in a shopping centre. As a mother of young children I find the event incredibly harmful for how children perceive and engage with animals. “Reindeer Day” gives the animals no choice but to be placed in pens as a form of entertainment. It is not educational. Children and animals deserve a better connection.”

Richard Twine, from Lancaster Animal Protection added: “To me this seems like a throwback. It is unnecessary and exploitative. Children would also far more enjoy a fun character in a reindeer costume in my view. It’s high time we moved away from the use of animals as entertainment.”

Bowland College was also set to have a live reindeer event on the 25th November, but Freedom for Animals have helped raise awareness which led to the withdrawal of the live reindeer.

Lancaster Animal Protection sent The Lancaster Tab a statement by Bowland College which said: “Our utmost priority is animal wellbeing, and we always ensure we are satisfied that the companies we use have animal welfare as their priority.

“While we were confident of the animal welfare standards in place by the provider, in this instance, we have listened to student feedback and opted to not include them in this year’s event.”