Why am I stifling a giggle at this article in the News today - and why on earth is such an article deemed newsworthy anyway - in the great scheme of things? Is it just the wimpy whiney 'PC' trend gone into overdrive again(?)
as in other similar stories:
• Church criticised for using donkeys in Cardiff nativity
• When Christmas trees go wrong - the public has its say
• French court bans Christmas nativity scene
Donkeys have been taken away from a Vale of Glamorgan church nativity show after a child was bitten.
The article says the Church in question has 'apologised'. Apologized for what?! More pc hype.
In fact: "Victorian-style exploitation". ???
as in other similar stories:
• Church criticised for using donkeys in Cardiff nativity
• When Christmas trees go wrong - the public has its say
• French court bans Christmas nativity scene
Donkeys have been taken away from a Vale of Glamorgan church nativity show after a child was bitten.
The animals were part of Barry Christmas Story at St Mary's Church on Holton Road.
The Church in Wales apologised and said it acted swiftly after Thursday's bite.
A spokeswoman added: "As generations of Barry children have learnt from riding donkeys on the local beach they are among the more stubborn and unpredictable of God's creatures."
This comes after the church was criticised for using live donkeys in a Cardiff nativity scene, with animal welfare campaigners calling it "Victorian-style exploitation".
Speaking about the bite, the church spokeswoman said donkeys played "a crucial role in the nativity story and are a very popular addition to other church events throughout the year".
She added: "We would remind children to treat all donkeys with care and respect and ask families to keep a watchful eye on younger children in particular when in the company of these much loved animals."
The article says the Church in question has 'apologised'. Apologized for what?! More pc hype.
In fact: "Victorian-style exploitation". ???
Rev John, minister at the church for 25 years, said the petition was inaccurate and the donkeys were well cared for, warm and had ample space.
"They are never on their own with their carers invariably with them in the enclosure," he said.
"As a church, we support animal rights and would do nothing that might cause distress to any animal in any circumstances."
Donkey keeper Sally Humble-Jackson said: "The donkeys are never left alone - that is our cardinal rule.
"They have a very generous amount of space, about 10ft by 12ft - there is a shelter at the back and a pen at the front so they can move about freely.
"If they want to move away from the public, they can go into the shelter where they can't be accessed by the public.
"But they voluntarily come to the front, they absolutely love the children.
"Donkeys are kind of like dogs, in that they enjoy human company."