Further to my second e-mail to LaplandUK last week they responded with the following last Friday:


"Thank you for getting back in touch. 
 
Thank you for amending the text on your petition. As previously confirmed, the huskies are mostly "backstage" which is outdoors, and when are guests are able to see them at allotted times throughout the day (to allow for rest in a comfortable outdoors environment), this area is also outside, and they will not be brought out for guests on demand. As we are based in a natural forest environment, the backstage area is not enclosed, and we would be appreciative if your statement could be amended to reflect more accurately. 
 
We do assure you that your comments have been taken extremely seriously, and the welfare of the reindeer and huskies is paramount to LaplandUK. We will take this into account when planning for the future."


I have responded to this with the following this morning:

"Thank you for your e-mail and the additional information. Please note that I have updated the petition statement accordingly.

However, since LaplandUk are so concerned with accuracy in statements, can you confirm that you will no longer state in written responses that the reindeers are able to "exhibit all the natural behaviour they would do if they were at home" as what they experience at LaplandUk is not what they experience in their natural habitat so this is complete misinformation. If you are referring to where they currently live - i.e. on the farms that sell the reindeer's time for profit - then can you confirm that in future you will state reindeer farms or the conditions they live in at the business which owns them instead of "home"? As I have amended my petition to reflect the huskies' conditions then I feel it is only fair and just that you amend your company statement/responses also to more accurately reflect the truth of the reindeers "home", otherwise it would seem you are deliberately and intentionally misleading concerned members of the public about the reindeer's conditions.

Can you also clarify if the huskies' "backstage" area is somewhere they are free to roam at will or if they are kept on leads at all times? Also, how many times a day are the huskies taken to see guests and at what times? Can you also confirm that your advice to guests about not touching the huskies is actually being monitored and adhered to and that you have had no instances of huskies being distressed by guests, either adult or children, touching them? If this is not the case and guests have actually touched them can you confirm what steps have been taken to avoid reoccurrences and further distress to the huskies?

I would also point out that the petition is now at 27,370 signatures and is growing in momentum every day as more and more people become aware of LaplandUK's exploitation of live animals. Rather than simply "take this into account" when running future events perhaps now is the time to make a commitment to permanently cease using live animals at your events and opt for cruelty free options only going forward instead? With so many other attractions at your event there is certainly no need to exploit animals simply for entertainment and as 27,370 people and growing has shown, people simply do not want nor expect to see this sort of cruelty in the 21st century."

We will await their response!