An animal welfare charity has written to the director of an Esher garden centre and farm shop calling on him to end the “unethical and abusive” use of live reindeer in a festive Christmas display.
Garson’s, in Winterdown Road, is currently putting up two reindeer in a specially-built enclosure with stables.
Storm and Arctic the reindeer will be at the centre throughout the festive period up until Christmas Eve, when they will return home to their farm in Twyford, in Berkshire.
Beatrice Dewar aged 5 from West Byfleet meets a reindeer at Garsons of Esher
But People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals UK (Peta), have sent Garson’s director Alan Richardson a letter requesting the animals be removed from the event and the centre “adopt a policy against having live animals at future festivities”.
@SurreyComet I went to see them yesterday! They are so well looked after and in a massive pen away from the shop and noise!
— Erica Agombar (@eagombar) December 10, 2015
The letter, written by campaigns co-ordinator Kirsty Henderson, said the animals were like “holiday props”, being used “to make a few fast pounds at Christmas” and “denied the opportunity to engage in natural behaviour or roam freely over vast open ranges as they would in their natural circumpolar habitat”.
The letter added: “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, and we should not be encouraging such an unethical and abusive trend.”
Handlers take the reindeer out for a walk behind the garden centre
A statement released by Garson’s in response to the letter said the reindeer were saved from culls in Norway and Sweden by an English farmer and were exercised at least twice a day in the fields behind the Esher garden centre, and had their small dedicated team of trained Garson’s staff.
The statement added: “The reindeer stay with Garsons was undertaken after a thorough understanding of what was involved and a commitment to providing care throughout.
“Reindeer are protected and regulated by the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs, which insists on high standards of care and attention.”
Ben Thompson from Garsons said: “It is a privilege to have these gorgeous creatures with us.
“Our reindeer handlers are keen to share their knowledge of the reindeer with visitors, and it is wonderful to see the pleasure they give visitors of all ages, especially children.
“We are pleased to play our part in educating children, some of whom have never seen reindeer before.”
The festive enclosure has been set up to encourage donations to the centre’s chosen charities.
Got a story? Call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6313 or email rachel.dickerson@london.newsquest.co.uk
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