Photo via Good Free Photos
A petition drawn up to protest against the culling of nine roe deer in Salford has nearly 12,000 signatures and expects a boost to mark today’s International Animal Rights Day.
The petition signed by angry animal lovers demands accountability from the Royal Horticultural Society which sanctioned the death of the deer at its new multi-million pound Bridgewater site.
Salford City Council, which has invested heavily in the development, said the RHS had agreed to discuss any future management of the deer with the community and council first.
Salford City Council, RHS, RSPCA, : Stop the RHS Bridgewater from further culling of roe deer at their site – Sign the Petition! https://t.co/Jpj1TiQGaZ via @UKChange for cull read Murder
— Richie (@richjamie200) November 29, 2020
A statement by City Mayor Paul Dennett and Councillor Lewis Nelson after a meeting about the events said:
“The RHS recognises mistakes have been made in the decision-making and communications around that decision.
“There are no active plans from the RHS to cull any more of the roe deer population in Salford.”
The RHS brought up discussions of a new community engagement process, looking at how it plans to move the rest of the roe deer in Salford.
“In future, should there be questions as to future of the herd, those discussions will be discussed transparently at the local community committee in advance of any actions being taken – working with residents and councillors.
“Whilst the council recognises that herd management may sometimes be necessary, we do not believe the decisions taken recently reflect an adequate or transparent process and in future safeguards will be in place to prevent decisions being taken in this manner again.”
An estimated 350,000 deer are culled annually, however, the RHS had promised to move deer humanely. Plans changed as a result of regulations surrounding Covid-19 which the RHS says prevented rehoming of the deer.
Resources: The British deer society and Salford City Council
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