Speech from Cllr Dan Rose the result was favourable with no votes against the motion.
Firstly I would like to thank those colleagues across party lines who have already let me know of their support for this motion. Animal welfare is an issue that I know is dear to the hearts of all of us across this chamber.
We have long since moved on from cockfighting, bullrings and dancing bears in chains. But in our community today there are still animals suffering for entertainment – needlessly. Today we can put an end to that – and help keep Rudolf safe this Christmas.
Reindeer are animals that are perhaps least well able to cope with being confined in an unnatural environment, like a street, with loud noises and bright lights. You can take my word for it, or you can listen to the words of Dr John Fletcher, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ deer specialist, who argues “The only place in Britain where reindeer are suited to live is the Cairngorms…When confined they don’t seem to thrive. There may be exceptions but I’m not aware of them.”
I am sure that the High Streets of Flintshire are not going to turn out to be the one other place in Britain where reindeer are comfortable.
Whatever arguments are made about how happy any particular reindeer at any particular event in our county is, whatever measures are put in place, the expert evidence remains that this is not healthy, not safe, and fundamentally cruel.
30 councils have already banned the use of animals as entertainment at their events. Another 108 have confirmed they will not be using live animals at events for Christmas 2022. Flintshire stands out for allowing animals to be used at council events in ways that animal charities and vets do not support. This motion is not radical – it is bringing Flintshire in line with national best practice.
One argument some have used to defend keeping reindeer either tied up or fenced in small enclosures with no privacy at Winter events is that children love seeing them. Children love animals – and have a wealth of kindness and compassion for them. No child would choose to put an animal in a stressful situation for entertainment. In turn, it is our job to nurture children’s compassion and understanding of the natural world – and that means keeping animals in their natural habitat.
The alternative is very grim indeed. In the two years to November 2020, 37 reindeer carcasses were sent for post-mortem by the UK government.
Pneumonia. Broken bones. Poor nutrition. Terrible dental conditions.
And of the 37 dead reindeer, ten were less than a year old.
This Christmas, I would ask colleagues across this chamber to do the right thing by Rudolf
Thank you
