On 19th March 2026, councillors in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England. banned the use of dangerous wild animals at events held on council‑controlled land, as well as in film and television productions using such locations. By increasing the guarantee of good animal welfare for the domestic animals that will still be allowed to be used in such events, the measure was framed to strengthen animal welfare protections while also safeguarding the public.
The initiative follows the cancellation of the Todmorden Country Fair that had been scheduled for May 2025, after concerns emerged over planned camel races at the event. A report from Calderdale Council concluded that this controversy exposed the need for clearer standards and stricter oversight of any events involving animals. Since April, councillors have received 17 applications for animal‑related activities, including dog shows, donkey rides, and camel racing, which would all fall under the new rules.
Sarah Courtney, Labour cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said to the BBC the following when the proposal was made: “ I’m an avid animal lover, and know that the vast majority of event organisers take the welfare of animals just as seriously as I and the council do, and that these events are put on in a caring and considerate way… However, we want to make sure that there is clear guidance and minimum standards, so when animals feature at local events, both event organisers and our events team can feel reassured that everything is being done to safeguard animal welfare and protect members of the public.”
The rule was widened to cover film and television productions, reflecting the borough’s growing popularity as a filming location. However, the only way to guarantee that nonhuman animals do not suffer when exploited by the entertainment industry would be a ban on their use, regardless of whether they are domestic or wild, which many animal rights organisations have been calling for.
