Respect for Reindeer

Worthing Town Centre BID has organised a “magical reindeer visit” as part of the Love Worthing Christmas celebrations. However, this will not be a magical experience for the reindeer. Reindeer evolved for quiet, open Arctic environments — not busy town centres with heavy footfall, enclosed spaces, loud noise, and children grabbing at them. This event will cause significant distress to these sensitive animals, who will be unable to escape, hide, choose who interacts with them, or engage in natural behaviours. Many people who do not understand animal behaviour assume that if reindeer do not show obvious signs of stress, they must be content. In reality, prey animals often freeze under extreme stress, shutting down due to psychological trauma and learned helplessness. Non-human animals are not props, toys, or resources to be exploited and commodified. This event explicitly places human entertainment above the rights, welfare, and autonomy of sentient beings. There is nothing festive about causing fear, and this display of animal abuse is not in keeping with the spirit of Christmas. Please join us at South Street Square (in front of B&M) tomorrow between 10:00-13:00 to protest this event and challenge the irresponsible message its organisers are sending to children.