ANIMAL rights activists have demanded council bosses scrap plans to have reindeer in George Square.

This year, Santa will have a workshop during Glasgow on Ice and there will be a chance to meet Rudolf and his chums, pet them and pose for pictures.

But animal welfare group Peta UK insists the animals will become stressed and afraid and campaign co-ordinator Kirsty Henderson has written to council leader Gordon Matheson calling for the reindeer event to be cancelled.

She says: "A busy commercial centre such as George Square, filled with thousands of noisy shoppers, bright lights and excited children is an entirely unsuitable environment for reindeer or any other animals.

"They can become disorientated and be seriously injured or even killed."

Ms Henderson claims reindeer can transmit numerous diseases to humans, including anthrax, rabies and ringworm, and that their enclosure can be teeming with bacteria.

Her letter continues: "There are many other ways Glaswegians could celebrate Christmas that would not compromise the well-being of animals or the public."

Glasgow Life, which organises Glasgow on Ice, has defended the decision to include live reindeer and says the animals will only be in the square on December 14, 22 and 23, from noon until 4pm.

A spokeswoman said: "Only one family will be allowed into the area at a time, with a maximum of two people being allowed to pet the reindeer at any time and always under the supervision of staff who have worked with the animals since 2007.

"We will have four reindeer on site for a maximum of four hours and only one reindeer will be petted at a time.

"We have been working with a local, family-run farm where the animals are raised around children.

"The farm owners always prioritise their animals' welfare over profit."

The animals will be in a quiet corner of the Square and hand washing facilities will be available for the public."

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk