David Jones has confirmed that it will not include any animals, including deer, donkeys and camels, in its Christmas Parade through the Brisbane Central District this year.
The move follows numerous appeals from PETA, and public protests by Animal Liberation Queensland highlighting that live-animal displays are demonstrably cruel and can be dangerous to the public.
PETA liaison Emily Rice praised the department store.
“PETA applauds David Jones’ decision, as there’s nothing merry about using animals as holiday ornaments.
“Any other stores or venues tempted to exhibit deer or other animals in their parades to follow David Jones’ compassionate lead.”
In its correspondence with David Jones, PETA —which has a motto that reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”— pointed out that deer, who naturally shun human contact, endure a perpetual state of discomfort, and stress at such parades.
They’re also often trucked from one event to the next and subjected to a constant barrage of strange noises, human activity, and people trying to touch them.