Weston donkey company hits back at criticism as petition calls for ban
A petition online says donkey rides on the beach at Weston Super Mare, should be banned
A company that offers donkey rides on the Weston Super Mare seafront is hitting back at criticism online, as a petition says the practice should be banned.
Donkey rides have been offered on the beach at Weston for more than 100 years, but the petition created at Change.org says the idea is "dated" and does not align, "with progressive attitudes toward the humane treatment of animals".
Since being created on 1st August it has been signed more than 600 times, with Weston Donkeys the company that runs the rides, now passionately defending their action.
"I would just like to say that we care a great deal for our donkeys, their welfare always comes first," a spokesperson for the company told Greatest Hits Radio.
"We are licenced and regularly inspected by vets and the (North Somerset) Council.
"Our donkeys are on the beach for all to come and see, we are happy to answer any questions about them."
On the petition page, the creator writes that donkeys are known to be capable of feeling pain and experiencing emotional distress, alleging they are "often subjected" to long hours of work in high temperatures, with little access to water and shade. They also write that repeatedly carrying weight on their backs can lead to debilitating health conditions, citing the RSPCA.
However, Weston Donkeys are refuting those claims.
"We have 40 donkeys, they don't work every day, there is always hay and water for them and shelter from the wind etc and they don't have to be tied up, they can stand where they like," their spokesperson told us.
"Donkeys are designed to live in hot dry climates, so a sunny day in our country is well within their comfort zone. They don't like rain, so when it's wet, we take them home."
They add many of their donkeys like beyond 30 years old and when they are considered too old to work they are retired, either with them or to specially selected homes, "but never on their own," they say.
You can find out more about Weston Donkeys on their website here.