Knowsley councillors have resolved to ban the giving of live animals as prizes at events held on council land.
A Notice of Motion agreed by members at this week’s full council meeting agreed to ban outright the giving of live animals as prizes, in any form, on Knowsley Council land and to write to the Government to urge an outright ban on both public and private land.
Proposed by Cllr Shelley Powell, and seconded by Cllr Del Arnall, the Notice of Motion outlined the council’s previous commitment in 2020 that no Council organised event would include the use of reindeer or donkeys, and that the use of animals would only be supported for educational purposes, in natural settings and where appropriate animal welfare licencing and measures were in place.
Cllr Powell said: “Our previous work has gone a long way towards encouraging high standards of animal welfare. However, we’re aware that there are still a number of cases reported to the RSPCA each year regarding pets given as prizes via fairgrounds, social media, and other channels – and there are likely many more incidents that go unreported. This motion will further support our commitment to safeguard animals and promote animal welfare in the borough.”