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Animal rights groups have condemned a Dundee shopping centre for penning a reindeer indoors for a Christmas light night event.

The Wellgate centre has come under fierce criticism for using the animal as part of its festive celebrations on Thursday.

A petition with almost 1,000 signatures from people threatening to boycott the centre is to be handed to bosses.

It demands an outright ban on the use of animals being “exploited” for entertainment.

Children and families lined up on Thursday to pet and feed the single reindeer which was kept inside the centre during the festivities.

Steven Wilson set up the petition and said the shopping centre was a “cruel” environment for a beast which is suited to the cold climes of the North Pole.

He said: “Many customers have been outraged and have left reviews on their Facebook page threatening to boycott the shopping centre.

“A petition has been brought forwards by many of us who are concerned about the live use of animals.

“Reindeer in the wild live in herds in the cold Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of the world.

“The Wellgate shopping centre’s Christmas event saw a reindeer placed in a small pen surrounded by people and noise.

“Not only was the environment for the reindeer unsuitable, but the event was cruel.

“Rudolph would not approve of his fellow reindeer being stressed out in a loud shopping centre.”

The petition follows a similar campaign earlier this year, when animal rights activists threatened to boycott the Overgate centre after plans for a live chick hatching event emerged.

Centre management pulled the plug on their Easter attraction after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said it was “cruel”.

Wellgate centre manager Peter Aitken said: “The reindeer which were in the centre are hand reared locally, and spend their lives with donkeys in an excellent stable yard. They spend about five weeks out of the stable each year.

“The money they generate at this time of year, including the fee we pay for their role in the event, goes towards their high standard of care throughout the year, including their feeding and veterinary care.

“Their welfare throughout the time they spent within the centre is absolutely paramount and all of the animal husbandry certificates required to comply with environmental health legislation are in place, and also registered with Dundee City Council.”

Picture: Mhairi Edwards. Three-year-old Evan Rooney pats the reindeer at the Wellgate event. Shopping centre manager Peter Aitken said the money generated by the animals over the festive season helps to pay for the high standard of care they receive throughout the year.