Reindeer and camel use in Christmas events 'inhumane' says RSPCA vice president

Peter Egan, who starred in Downton Abbey, says the animals are forced to perform in 'the most terrifying and distressing situations'

The Downton Abbey actor and RSPCA spokesman has criticised the use of reindeer in Christmas shows (Reuters/Sergei Karpukhin)

The use of reindeer and camels in Christmas events as “inhumane”, according to the RSPCA's vice president Peter Egan, who called for the practice to end.

The Downton Abbey actor said the continued use of the animals for festive entertainment showed a “poverty of imagination” which reduced them to performing in “the most terrifying and distressing situations”.

The Hampstead-born actor is a long-time vegetarian and animal rights activist who refused to be filmed with meat on his plate or using a gun while filming the hit ITV period drama, where he played “Shrimpie” MacClare.

He became vegan in January 2016.

“Reindeer and camels deserve compassion and respect”, he told The Sunday Times.

A RSPCA spokesperson said that Mr Egan made his comments in a personal capacity, but the organisation echoed his view.

“We understand that for many people, especially youngsters, seeing a ‘real’ reindeer adds to the magic of Christmas," they said. “But what some people don’t realise is that reindeer require lots of specialist care. They are not easy to look after properly, and they are susceptible to stress and a host of health and welfare problems when kept in permanent captivity in the UK, particularly in more southern areas.

“These 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.”

Reindeer events are planned at various venues across the country in December, including in London and Leeds, where the animals will pull sleighs or forming part of Santa’s grotto.

Animal rights organisation Peta has also called for the use of reindeer as Christmas entertainment to end.

Earlier this year the organisation wrote to the Chamber of Trade in Cowbridge, South Wales, encouraging it to cancel plans to use live reindeer.

“Numerous health and welfare issues occur when reindeer are uprooted and transported in captivity many degrees south of their normal range," it said. "People who hire them out at Christmas often lack even a basic understanding of their needs.

“Using live animals in these sorts of events sends a damaging message to young people that animals are little more than living props.”

A recent study published in the British Veterinary Journal found a poor diet, exposure to the diseases of other animals and the stress of being removed from their natural environment had all contributed to an increase in deaths among young reindeer used in the UK.

Dr John Fletcher, founder of the Veterinary Deer Society, echoed this concern, saying the creatures were "not well able to cope with the stress of captivity, and most of the diseases we see [in the UK] in reindeer are stress-related.”

But the owner of one of the UK’s largest working herds, the Blithbury Reindeer Lodge near Rugely in Staffordshire, took issue with the criticism and insisted the reindeer are simply doing what they are bred to do.

Steve Swinnerton said: “Reindeer have been pulling sleighs for about a thousand years. It’s not cruel. They love it – and they’re used to humans.”