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Petitions aim to end racecourse’s harmful reptile shows

harmful reptile shows

Petitions aim to end racecourse’s harmful reptile shows

Doncaster Racecourse’s reptile shows are under scrutiny this year as different organisations urge people to sign petitions to prevent the alleged animal cruelty that takes place at them.

The racecourse hosts the International Herpetological Society Reptile Show four times a year, with the upcoming show set for Sunday 19 September 2021.

Both Born Free and World Animal Protection have set up petitions to gain the government’s attention and help with regard to animal welfare.

The shows see thousands of wild and captive-bred reptiles on display in cramped, plastic boxes, ready to be sold.

They face stressful and uncomfortable situations that they cannot escape from as they are reportedly left without appropriate lighting, noise, vibrations, temperature, shelter and water for many hours.

This can lead to animals like ball pythons obtaining serious injuries and illnesses.

The stress can result in them shedding and potentially spreading zoonotic pathogens that can infect people.

Not only that, but wildlife markets like these harmful reptile shows also contribute towards the global decline in wildlife and biodiversity.

Unfortunately, it is currently legal to keep a large majority of exotic pets in Britain.

World Animal Protection is recommending that people post their protests on social media during the Cazoo St Leger Festival which is also hosted by Doncaster Racecourse.

The festival began today, Wednesday 8 September, and ends on Saturday 11 September.

These snakes, lizards and tortoises are being sold as part of one of the last surviving wildlife markets in the UK, but they have complex needs that many buyers are not aware of or capable enough to handle.

World Animal Protection has reportedly submitted a petition with 75,000 signatures and sent 15000 emails to Doncaster Racecourse’s Executive Director so far.

You can continue to sign their petition here.

Born Free aims to submit a similar petition.

At 10,000 signatures, the government will have to respond to their petition.

At 100,000 signatures, the petition will be considered for debate in Parliament.

The deadline for this currently sits at Friday 1 October.

(Photos: World Animal Protection UK)

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Lauren joined the Gi Media team in August 2021.