Dunoon Named on ‘Reindeer Shame’ Map

DUNOON has been placed on an interactive map of shame regarding the town’s use of live reindeer during Dunoon Dazzles Christmas lights switch-on ceremony.
Edinburgh-based animal welfare organisation OneKind.org has produced the map and is encouraging people to send an open email to every Christmas event across the country that continues to employ live reindeer as part of their festivities.
It’s understood the reindeer used for Dunoon Dazzles are hired from a company in Ayrshire which also uses animals based just outside Inverness, meaning some of the reindeer face a possible 170-mile journey for events.
OneKind’s campaign is backed by Dr Tayla Hammond, an animal welfare scientist and consultant with the University of Edinburgh. She also heads up Animal Insights, a consultancy which applies rigorous science, behaviour-change theory and strategic insight to promote positive animal welfare.
Dr Tayla is the author of a new report commissioned by OneKind, entitled The Welfare Needs of Captive Reindeer Used for Entertainment Events in the UK, which states that reindeer are harder to keep in captivity than other ruminants.
The campaign encourages people to send an email to organisers of events that use live reindeer, appealing to them to re-think the practice.
A portion of the email reads: “Last year, 218 events that previously used animals made the compassionate choice to hold family-friendly, reindeer-free events instead.
“The welfare concerns are well-documented. Reindeer endure unnatural environments, limited space, constant handling, long-distance travel, and the stress of pulling sleighs. These conditions cause distress, fear, and exhaustion. Transportation and the events themselves can also compromise their immune systems, making them more susceptible to disease and infection.”
Ardentinny resident David McDowell submitted a letter to this newspaper in November last year objecting to the use of reindeer at Dunoon Dazzles in 2024. He also contacted Dunoon Presents manager Colin Moulson to advise him against using the animals for the Christmas lights switch-on.
Mr McDowell explained: “I’m saddened that Dunoon Presents continues to use live reindeer for entertainment. This is the second year I have contacted Colin Moulson requesting that they consider alternatives to the use of live animals. I have never received a reply.
“This year some 35-plus animal welfare groups and veterinary experts have contacted Christmas event organisers throughout the country requesting that the use of live reindeer should cease.”
He added: “These events are very stressful for the animals. Often they are transported great distances; indeed, I understand that the Dunoon reindeer come from the Cairngorms, a 150-mile journey. They have to endure constant handling in unnatural, cramped conditions and loud crowds when they would normally be free to roam vast distances in peaceful surroundings. Indeed, one expert animal welfare researcher who last year reviewed video evidence of Christmas displays stated that some 75 per cent of these reindeer exhibited clear signs of stress.
“There are many creative alternatives Dunoon Presents could explore to replace live reindeer. This exploitation needs to end. No animals should suffer for seasonal entertainment.”
This newspaper contacted Dunoon Presents for comment, but they felt that they did not want to respond.