Animal welfare charities and campaigners, including the RSPCA, are urging councils to stop using reindeer in their Christmas events.

More than 20 organisations, also including Animal Aid and Freedom for Animals, have signed an open letter urging local authorities and other organisers of festive events to ‘cease using live reindeer in their entertainment’.

The lack of control animals have at the events ‘are likely to lead to psychological distress and a state of poor welfare’, they warn.

This is part of wider concerns campaigners have involving the treatment of reindeer in captivity in the UK.

‘Poor body weight, weight loss, muscle atrophy and general malaise are commonly reported problems in captive reindeer,’ they warn.

‘Veterinarians have consistently voiced concerns that reindeer are hard to keep in captivity, and that problems are often seen in reindeer kept in private ownership for entertainment use.’

The campaigners add that regular long distance travel the reindeers face, physical labour of pulling sleighs and ‘unpredictable interactions with the public’ are taking a toll on the animals’ physical and mental health.

While the use of reindeer is prohibited in the 2019 Wild Animals in Circuses Act, this ban only applies specifically to circuses not Christmas events.

Councils are being urged to apply the principles of this circus legislation when organising events ‘and choose not to expose animals to stress and risk of illness and injury’.

‘Whilst the reindeer events planned across the country may be legal due to the circumstance of not taking place under a circus big top, the same risks and ethical issues apply,’ states the charities’ letter.

Footage of events involving reindeer has been sent by campaigners to animal welfare expert Dr Tayla Hammond, who said three in four animals involved ‘displayed stress indicators, such as trembling or avoidance’.