Reindeer Petting at Covent Garden

I took my kids there today only to find out that the reindeer are not there. I appreciate that after researching I found out that they are only in CV weekly but it really isnt that clear within the information given.

The reindeer petting is part of Covent Garden programme of free Christmas activities for 2010. The safety of the animals and the public is our first priority and we have taken all of the necessary steps to ensure that both the public and the reindeer can enjoy this seasonal activity safely.

The reindeers are trained and accustomed to interacting with members of the public and are accompanied and supervised at all times by professional handlers who take the well being of the animals very seriously.

The reindeer petting is limited to 4 hour time slot once a week in compliance with animal health and safety regulations. All reindeer have constant access to food and water while on site and their pen is in accordance with space guidelines for animals of this size. The pen is monitored constantly by the professional animal handlers who are trained in first aid.

Hot and cold running water, as well as antiseptic hand gel, are provided for people to wash their hands directly after contact with the animals. Lastly, Covent Garden has a 24 hour security presence on site which monitors crowd control via CCTV and a physical presence on the ground, ensuring that numbers are always at an acceptable level.

Covent Garden London

No theyr'e not our toys.. but like most animals they are our sunday roasts, coats and pets, (double standards) we eat or lock i a cage.. they should be free too... I love animals and yes it may be a bit much for them, but something is free.. like farms and zoos .. they are intelligent to move away from the public if they don't want to be petted! I will be taking my son, and wont touch it.. maybe.. but he would love to see one.. and it's free..!

No theyr'e not our toys.. but like most animals they are our sunday roasts, coats and pets, (double standards) we eat or lock i a cage.. they should be free too... I love animals and yes it may be a bit much for them, but something is free.. like farms and zoos .. they are intelligent to move away from the public if they don't want to be petted! I will be taking my son, and wont touch it.. maybe.. but he would love to see one.. and it's free..!

No theyr'e not our toys.. but like most animals they are our sunday roasts, coats and pets, (double standards) we eat or lock i a cage.. they should be free too... I love animals and yes it may be a bit much for them, but something is free.. like farms and zoos .. they are intelligent to move away from the public if they don't want to be petted! I will be taking my son, and wont touch it.. maybe.. but he would love to see one.. and it's free..!

I've just come back from the Reindeer petting experience and the Reindeer smiled at me, proving they are happy and well looked after.

Absolutely horrible, and Time Out is promoting it. Shame.

I cannot see why we need to do this and fence an animal up for hours while humans and children annoy it. Really! When will humans ever learn?

Deer oh deer, please rein it in.

The animals love the attention you fools.

Funny my comment was "deleted" Not happy at this : Poor deer’s in noisy central London on the weekend for hours – having to put up with flash photo’s. Kids do what kids do this annoy animals – deer barges and it’s the deer that will be in trouble! RSPCA alerted.

Poor bloody animals! Flash photo's - in busy, noisy central London. Animal gets stressed and barges child with it's antles - poor deer in trouble.

I don't like it.
Stop treating animals in this way.
They are not our toys.

I don't like it.
Stop treating animals in this way.
They are not our toys.