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Santa's crew: Should reindeer be used in Christmas displays? Santa's crew: Should reindeer be used in Christmas displays?
(about 5 hours later)
Rudolph's relatives are a common sight at Christmas displays across the country but how ethical is it to use them in the lead up to the festive season?Rudolph's relatives are a common sight at Christmas displays across the country but how ethical is it to use them in the lead up to the festive season?
There are thought to be about 1,500 reindeer in the UK, with hundreds imported in recent years, mainly from Scandinavia.There are thought to be about 1,500 reindeer in the UK, with hundreds imported in recent years, mainly from Scandinavia.
However, experts say they are unclear how many are actually used in Christmas displays.However, experts say they are unclear how many are actually used in Christmas displays.
Animal charity, the RSPCA, says it is "very concerned" about Reindeer being used for entertainment purposes as it is difficult to "achieve good welfare in a performance environment". Animal charity, the RSPCA, says it is "very concerned" about reindeer being used for entertainment purposes as it is difficult to "achieve good welfare in a performance environment".
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) believes busy shopping centres "filled with noisy shoppers, bright lights and excited children, are entirely unsuitable environments for reindeer or any other animals".The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) believes busy shopping centres "filled with noisy shoppers, bright lights and excited children, are entirely unsuitable environments for reindeer or any other animals".
Ben Williamson, from Peta, said: "The whole phenomenon of taking reindeer out on the road, putting them in pens and treating them as if they were just Christmas decorations is unacceptable.Ben Williamson, from Peta, said: "The whole phenomenon of taking reindeer out on the road, putting them in pens and treating them as if they were just Christmas decorations is unacceptable.
"We should not be encouraging such an unethical and abusive trend.""We should not be encouraging such an unethical and abusive trend."
The species is "notoriously difficult" to look after and can suffer from a number of health problems.The species is "notoriously difficult" to look after and can suffer from a number of health problems.
Keeping reindeerKeeping reindeer
Source: RSPCASource: RSPCA
But Dr Mark Dagleish, president of the Veterinary Deer Society, said: "As long as the reindeer are trained and habituated to humans, the main problems arise during the months outside the Christmas period."But Dr Mark Dagleish, president of the Veterinary Deer Society, said: "As long as the reindeer are trained and habituated to humans, the main problems arise during the months outside the Christmas period."
He said the species required a very large territory, was easily stressed and suffered from fatal parasitic infections.He said the species required a very large territory, was easily stressed and suffered from fatal parasitic infections.
"We've had lots of queries from people who are having trouble keeping reindeer and the first thing we tell them is that reindeer shouldn't be kept, unless you have a very large area such as a mountain range.""We've had lots of queries from people who are having trouble keeping reindeer and the first thing we tell them is that reindeer shouldn't be kept, unless you have a very large area such as a mountain range."
Dr Dagleish said the queries were from new owners, rather than experienced handlers.Dr Dagleish said the queries were from new owners, rather than experienced handlers.
He added a number of vets also contacted the society as they were not used to dealing with the species.He added a number of vets also contacted the society as they were not used to dealing with the species.
Reindeer in numbersReindeer in numbers
Source: Animal and Plant Health AgencySource: Animal and Plant Health Agency
Tilly Smith, director of conservation at The Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, said there was a problem with the welfare of captive animals as people were "dabbling in reindeer".Tilly Smith, director of conservation at The Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, said there was a problem with the welfare of captive animals as people were "dabbling in reindeer".
"The only people that have really benefitted in this trade are the animal dealers who import the reindeer and sell them on, often to people who are hoodwinked into keeping them and misinformed by the seller as to how easy they are to keep.""The only people that have really benefitted in this trade are the animal dealers who import the reindeer and sell them on, often to people who are hoodwinked into keeping them and misinformed by the seller as to how easy they are to keep."
Ms Smith, who has about 150 reindeer which live in the Cairngorms and surrounding foothills for most of the year, said she understood animals were imported to supply demand from garden centres, smallholders and private individuals.Ms Smith, who has about 150 reindeer which live in the Cairngorms and surrounding foothills for most of the year, said she understood animals were imported to supply demand from garden centres, smallholders and private individuals.
"Reindeer were domesticated in their natural environment which is why our herd in the Cairngorms is successful.""Reindeer were domesticated in their natural environment which is why our herd in the Cairngorms is successful."
Ms Smith said she believed it was ethical to use reindeer in Christmas displays if they were kept appropriately and the owners were transparent in how they kept them for the rest of the year.Ms Smith said she believed it was ethical to use reindeer in Christmas displays if they were kept appropriately and the owners were transparent in how they kept them for the rest of the year.
She said that leading up to Christmas her teams were away for a maximum of 18 days.She said that leading up to Christmas her teams were away for a maximum of 18 days.
"Throughout the UK, we have temporary bases where a team can stop off as they 'hopscotch' down the country."Throughout the UK, we have temporary bases where a team can stop off as they 'hopscotch' down the country.
"We only do this type of work in the run up to Christmas and for the rest of the year, these trained reindeer are out on the mountains with the rest of the herd.""We only do this type of work in the run up to Christmas and for the rest of the year, these trained reindeer are out on the mountains with the rest of the herd."
Reindeer are protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which makes it an offence to cause them unnecessary suffering or to fail to ensure their welfare needs are met.Reindeer are protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which makes it an offence to cause them unnecessary suffering or to fail to ensure their welfare needs are met.
In 2013, the Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC) which advises the government, recommended the welfare of reindeer should be considered further as the species was "likely to be kept by inexperienced owners for commercial purposes", a recommendation the RSPCA said it supported.In 2013, the Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC) which advises the government, recommended the welfare of reindeer should be considered further as the species was "likely to be kept by inexperienced owners for commercial purposes", a recommendation the RSPCA said it supported.
In response, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: "We take all FAWC recommendations seriously and consider the committee's advice when developing policy and guidance. In response, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said: "We take all FAWC recommendations seriously and consider the committee's advice when developing policy and guidance.
"We are very clear that reindeer are protected by animal welfare laws and require a high-level of specialist care.""We are very clear that reindeer are protected by animal welfare laws and require a high-level of specialist care."
A spokesman from the government's Animal and Plant Health Agency said it did not have any figures to show how many imported animals had died or had become ill after arriving in the UK.A spokesman from the government's Animal and Plant Health Agency said it did not have any figures to show how many imported animals had died or had become ill after arriving in the UK.
It said it was not aware of any prosecutions relating to reindeer welfare in the past few years, but added the relevant local authority would enforce any action.It said it was not aware of any prosecutions relating to reindeer welfare in the past few years, but added the relevant local authority would enforce any action.