A new policy, setting out clear conditions around the inclusion of animals at events and as part of filming in Calderdale, is being considered by the Council’s Cabinet.
Calderdale Council takes the safety and wellbeing of animals incredibly seriously and does all it can to ensure that welfare standards and legal compliance are maintained when considering applications for events or filming in the borough.
As a place with a strong rural community, events involving animals are part of Calderdale’s culture and heritage.
To ensure that high welfare standards are maintained, and guidance is clear for all event organisers or production companies, the Council’s Cabinet is set to consider a new proposed policy governing animal wellbeing at events and in relation to television and film productions on Council land and public highway in Calderdale.
Key parts of the proposed guidance include:
- Protecting animal welfare by ensuring animals are not exposed to undue stress, harm, or unsuitable environments.
- Safeguarding public safety by managing risks associated with animal presence at public events.
- Providing clarity for organisers by outlining clear expectations and procedures for events and productions involving animals.
- Prohibiting dangerous wild animals from being involved in events and/or filming
- Prohibiting animals being offered as prizes
The policy has been developed with the Council’s Events and Film and Animal Welfare office. Policies and guidelines from other local authorities have also informed several aspects of the policy.
Members of Cabinet are being asked to agree that the new policy is presented to full Council for approval.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, Cllr Sarah Courtney, said:
“Since April 2025, the Council has received seventeen event applications involving animals. I’m an avid animal lover, and know that the vast majority of event organisers take the welfare of animals just as seriously as I and the Council do, and that these events are put on in a caring and considerate way.
“However, we want to make sure that there is clear guidance and minimum standards, so when animals feature at local events, both event organisers and our events team can feel reassured that everything is being done to safeguard animal welfare and protect members of the public. We’ve also extended this policy to cover film and tv productions, due to the growing reputation of the borough as a filming destination.
“The policy would complement the extensive work that already takes place across the Council to enforce the many laws covering the health and welfare of animals, ensuring we continue to do all we can to protect animal wellbeing across Calderdale.”
The Protecting Animal Wellbeing Events and Filming Policy report will be considered at the meeting of Calderdale Council’s Cabinet on Monday 16 March at Halifax Town Hall from 4pm. The meeting will also be live streamed online at https://calderdale.public-i.tv/core/portal/home(external link)