We are calling on Leighton-Linslade Town Council to commit to no longer booking animal attractions, displays, petting zoos, or similar entertainment involving live animals at council-run or council-supported events.

At the recent canal festival, a bird of prey display involved highly sensitive birds, some of whom were nocturnal and solitary, being tethered to stumps for hours, largely so members of the public could look at them and take photographs. Previously, the council had also booked a mobile petting zoo for the town market, where animals would have stood in pens for hours for similar reasons. Fortunately, this was cancelled due to the weather. And we have also seen live reindeer booked in the past for Christmas events.

These attractions may be presented as educational or family-friendly, but they send the wrong message: that animals exist for our entertainment.

It is important to state that animals are not props. Birds of prey, farmed animals, and other species used in displays have their own needs, preferences, fears, and boundaries. Being transported, handled, confined, tethered, surrounded by crowds, exposed to noise, and placed in unfamiliar environments can be extremely stressful and unnatural for them. Even when basic welfare rules are followed, these events still reduce living beings to attractions, and that is wrong.

There is no meaningful benefit to the animals involved at all. They do not choose to be there, they cannot leave, and they are used purely to draw attention and entertain visitors. This teaches children and the wider public that it is acceptable to use animals as objects, rather than encouraging respect, empathy, and understanding.

We believe public events should reflect compassion and modern values. Leighton-Linslade Town Council has an opportunity to lead by example by choosing animal-free entertainment and education that does not rely on exploitation. There are so many positive alternatives, including wildlife talks without live captive animals, habitat-building activities, conservation stalls, nature crafts, plant-based food vendors, and more. These can all help educate people about the animal kingdom without bringing the animals themselves into the picture.

A fitting analogy is that children love dinosaurs, despite never meeting one. We do not need to put an animal in front of someone to educate them about who they are and why they should be respected.

We urge Leighton-Linslade Town Council to adopt a policy preventing live animal attractions from being booked at future events, including bird of prey displays, mobile petting zoos, pony rides, reptile encounters, and similar activities.

Animals are individuals. They are not here to be used, displayed, handled, or tethered for human amusement. Our community events should celebrate kindness, respect, and coexistence, not the use of animals as entertainment.