Somerset Reindeer Ranch has spoken out following a licensing dispute with Somerset Council that threatens the future of their beloved reindeer herd. Sarah Sutton, 51, the reindeer herder and owner, revealed that the council’s decision to require a costly zoo licence may force her to cull some of the animals, placing the family-run business in a devastating position just before Christmas.
For over ten years, the ranch has operated legally under an Animal Activities Licence granted by Somerset Council. However, recent guidance from Defra suggests reindeer should now be classified as wild animals for zoo licensing purposes—a recommendation, not a legislative change, according to Sutton. She emphasized that all reindeer on the farm are native-born, currently in their fifth generation, and have been cared for on a typical agricultural mixed farm alongside cows, pigs, horses, donkeys, alpacas, ducks, and chickens.
Despite this, the council insists the operation must obtain a full Zoo Licence, a process typically designed for large zoological parks, not small farms. Sutton described the decision as “unacceptable and illogical,” noting the conflicting classification where reindeer are domestic livestock for purposes such as breeding and movement, yet considered wild animals for licensing to justify imposing steep fees—£2,748 in Sutton’s case. She expressed frustration that this aggressive enforcement followed only a single public enquiry, with no complaints or investigations from authorities.
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The council has acknowledged that acquiring a zoo licence is complex and time-consuming. They stated their commitment to supporting the ranch throughout the application process.
The licensing conflict emerges shortly after the ranch faced criticism from animal rights activists. Animal Aid condemned the use of live reindeer at a Christmas lights event in Wincanton, arguing that removing young, sensitive reindeer from their herds for display causes unnecessary distress. Sutton refuted these claims, assuring that the reindeer are well-acclimated to public interaction, travel calmly, and showed no signs of stress during the event.
As the dispute intensifies, the fate of Somerset Reindeer Ranch’s cherished herd remains uncertain, highlighting tensions between small agricultural enterprises and regulatory authorities.