Reindeer kept in ‘horrific conditions’ at UK farms ahead of Christmas

This shocking footage shows the ‘horrific’ conditions reindeer are being kept in at UK farms ahead of Christmas.

Some reindeer were allegedly found with raw, exposed skin, diarrhoea and skeletal abnormalities, while others had broken antlers.

The undercover footage was taken by Animal Aid at three farms in Kent, Staffordshire and Cheshire in 2017 and 2018.

At Kent Reindeer Centre, a worker was filmed apparently kicking a reindeer twice, as well as shouting abuse at the animals in May 2018.

Pictures taken at Blithbury Reindeer Lodge in Rugeley, Staffordshire, in Spring 2018 show reindeer with patchy fur, bowed legs and broken antlers.

Animal Aid claim that one at that centre was in such poor health that it had to be put down.

Meanwhile, photos they claim were taken at the Cheshire Reindeer Lodge show reindeer being forced to live in an empty yard.

Several animals across three centres also had visible ribs while several were kept in ‘desolate’ and ‘unnatural’ conditions, the charity claims.

Tor Bailey, campaign manager at Animal Aid, said: ‘Our investigations have revealed the shocking suffering of these gentle animals.

‘Reindeer are sensitive wild animals, not props to be paraded around and used for human entertainment. I would urge the general public not to support events which feature live captive animals and find other more animal-friendly ways to enjoy the festive period.’

The footage and photos come after government figures show that between 2014 to 2017, 571 reindeer were imported from Sweden, Finland and Norway.

Animal Aid claim that once they are brought to the UK – usually to be used in festive grotto and reindeer parades – they are susceptible to a variety of diseases and pathogens.

A charity spokesperson said they had reported their findings to each area’s Trading Standards department, DEFRA and the RSPCA.

Dr. John Fletcher, founder of the Veterinary Reindeer Society said he was ‘disturbed’ by the footage and findings.

He said: ‘Reindeer have adapted to live in the Arctic. They are not well able to cope with the stress of captivity, and most of the diseases we see here in reindeer are stress-related.

‘DEFRA need to stop the export of reindeer into the UK.’

Trading Standards at Kent County Council said it had been told about concerns at the centre, and attended but ‘found no particular concerns at times’/

They said one animal was thin due to age and they didn’t take any extra action.

Stephen Swinnerton, owner of Blithbury Reindeer Lodge dismissed the allegations against his farm and said all of his animals were happy and healthy.

He said: ‘The video was footage was taken without our knowledge and if the person concerned had addressed their issues to us at the time, in person, we would have been in a position to alleviate their concerns there and then.

‘The reindeer in question was a retired animal named Forest who I had raised from a calf and who had reached the ripe old age of 17 (very elderly by reindeer standards who barely live beyond 10 years on the tundra).

‘Due to the complaints we had no choice but to have him euthanised, which caused me and my staff much distress.

‘With respect to ‘extensive fur loss’ – reindeer have an extremely thick winter coat which they shed every year in the spring from March onwards – in order that by summer they will be sporting their much shorter (and often darker) summer coat.

‘Whilst they are shedding this very thick winter coat – they shed this in chunks and look very untidy (very unlike how they look at Christmas).

‘This is totally natural and every reindeer does this every year. They are often mistaken as having some “terrible skin condition” but this is totally normal for every reindeer.

‘With respect to reindeer not being suited to being kept in Britain due to the mild climate – we travel regularly to Scandinavia to visit Sami reindeer herders – on our last visit to Arctic Circle to bring back reindeer moss to feed our reindeer with in July, the temperature there was 33 degrees centigrade.

‘Our reindeer are well fed with totally organic pasture, a specialist reindeer pellet diet with extra selenium, plenty of salt licks readily available and are kept safe from predators – they have no reason to roam.

‘All our paddock fencing here is only 4ft high – any self- respecting reindeer could jump this without breaking their stride but none have ever done so as they feel safe, are well fed and contented with their company.

‘I am a founder member of the British Reindeer Herders Association, hold a full zoo licence and am a licensed by the local authority who conduct regular inspections.’

Trading Standards at Staffordshire County Council said they have had no reports in relation to the farm and haven’t taken any action.

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) spokesperson said: ‘We are taking strong action to tackle animal cruelty, increasing prison sentences for animal abusers ten-fold.

‘Reindeer are protected by both the 2006 Animal Welfare Act and the 2018 Animal Welfare Regulations, meaning it is a criminal offence to cause them unnecessary suffering.

‘Anyone found guilty of these crimes can be given an unlimited fine or sent to prison.

‘The Animal and Plant Health Agency investigates all allegations of breaches to these strict rules and we urge anyone with concerns about the welfare of animals to report them.’

An RSPCA spokesperson said: ‘It is never acceptable to kick an animal as seen in this footage and when we were alerted to it we sent an officer to the scene.

‘Reindeer are semi-wild animals that are highly adapted to the arctic environment. They have very different needs to deer that are native to the UK and it is much more difficult to meet their needs, particularly when kept by non-specialists in small groups for use at festive events.

‘This means having them in a busy environment, surrounded by crowds, noise and lights during a festive event makes it even more difficult.

‘They get stressed easily and are very susceptible to many health and welfare problems when kept in permanent captivity in the UK, particularly in southern areas.

‘We are really concerned that every year, reindeer are used across the country at festive events and exposed to a busy environment, surrounded by crowds, noise and lights, and this can cause these semi-wild animals a great deal of stress.

‘Anyone with further concerns for the reindeer, or any other reindeer, can call us on 0300 1234 999.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted Kent Reindeer Centre and Cheshire Reindeer Lodge for comment.