Heavier children banned from beach donkey rides
Here's some good news for the poor, overworked donkeys that have been trudging up and down Britain's coast for decades carrying tourists: they no longer have to offer their services to overweight children.
Until now, kids of all shapes and sizes would be allowed to ride the donkeys, but now an eight stone weight limit has been imposed by new animal cruelty rules drawn up by The Donkey Sanctuary in Devon, and is endorsed by the British Equine Veterinary Association. In Blackpool, the working donkeys already have 'employment rights' which include working no more than six days a week between 10am to 7pm, with one full day of rest, a minimum of an hour's lunch break and a donkey 'MOT' at the start of the summer season to ensure the animals are fit. Let's hope these new rules are adhered to and these gentle animals won't have to endure any more porky children on their backs!
