The live animal crib outside Dublin’s Mansion House has been attacked as “just inappropriate” by animal rights activists.
The annual display of farm animals is organised by the Irish Farmers’ Association and gives children an insight into what the stable where Jesus was born might have been like. This year, there are two sheep and two donkeys.
While it may be popular with families with young children, animal rights activists believe the tradition is cruel to the livestock on display.
On Newstalk Breakfast, National Animal Rights Association spokesperson Laura Broxson said there are alternatives to a live crib.
“These animals are transported back and forth to the farms every day,” she explained.
“It’s not their natural environment, they might have food, water and bedding but they’re not going to be used to the noise, the lights, people banging on the perspex.
“They can’t perform their natural behavioural needs.
"They could have animatronic displays instead; if they want to make the nativity, they can do it in a multitude of different ways - leave the animals alone.”
The Live Animal Crib. Picture by: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie.Also on the programme, IFA President Francie Gorman defended the crib as “one of the most enjoyable” things he does in his job every year.
“It’s a great collaboration between ourselves and the Lord Mayor’s Office in Dublin,” he said.
“I think people vote with their feet in the way that thousands of people visit us between now and Christmas Eve.
“Just to see the expressions on young people’s faces when they come in, it gives you an uplift.”
The Live Animal Crib. Picture by: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie.However, Ms Broxson argued that there is a difference between popularity and morality.
“Just because something is entertaining doesn’t mean it should happen,” she said.
“He didn’t really answer the question, is it normal for animals that are used to being in farms to be kept in these enclosures where people are looking at them all the day?
“That’s not normal.”
Mr Gorman added that Ireland has the “highest animal welfare standards in the world”.
The Live Animal Crib opens today and runs until Christmas Eve.
Main image: The Live Animal Crib. Picture by: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie.
