NewsBite

Protesters call on Council to “free the deer”

A protester has been arrested, as activists stage a Brisbane CBD vigil over deers being used in council Christmas celebrations.

Protesters in the CBD tonight staged a vigil to highlight welfare concerns for the deer used in the Christmas parade. Photo supplied.
Protesters in the CBD tonight staged a vigil to highlight welfare concerns for the deer used in the Christmas parade. Photo supplied.

ONE protester has been arrested and up to 15 others staged a vigil in King George Square to protest Brisbane City Council’s endorsement of the use of deer in its annual Christmas events.

ANIMAL ACTIVISTS TARGETS CHRISTMAS PARADE

Protesters in King George Square shouted “No Christmas cheer until council frees the Deer” and a 32-year-old Brisbane nurse climbed a nearby bus shelter with a sign that read “Deer Cruelty Shame on Brisbane”.

Grassroots animal rights spokesman Daniel Heggie said the woman was arrested by police but “was released with a notice to appear”.

Mr Heggie said protesters wanted to share with community that Brisbane City Council had refused to “look at a letter from an animal behaviouralist” on the impact of the event on the deer.

He said the vet’s advice had been ignored by council.

Animal rights activists in the CBD tonight to protest the use of deer in the annual Christmas parade. Photo. supplied.
Animal rights activists in the CBD tonight to protest the use of deer in the annual Christmas parade. Photo. supplied.

Dr Karen Dawson, in a letter to council, said bringing the deer into the parade “could be a safety risk” as the deer would be “fighting every instinct in their body to get away from that environment”.

She said the “whole experience would be very aversive for these animals with a significant negative impact on their welfare”.

Letter provided to Council regarding the welfare of the deer. Supplied.
Letter provided to Council regarding the welfare of the deer. Supplied.

Mr Heggie said the protesters wanted people visiting the city for the Christmas parade to think about the impact of the event on the deer.

“I always say to people would you like someone just coming up and touching your face,” Mr Heggie said.

“The facts are the animals tonight looked very hot and very distressed.”

He called for an end to the use of deer in the Christmas events.

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/protesters-call-on-council-to-free-the-deer/news-story/ff721bd37cf8aff1eeef2f1c23f650d6