Are Farm Animal Attractions and Petting Zoos too dangerous for young children?

Monday, February 15, 2010 Are Farm Animal Attractions and Petting Zoos too dangerous for young children? Following a serious outbreak of E.coli 0157 in the UK, during the latter part of 2009 which saw a number of children hospitalised and several farm attractions closed, Professor Hugh Pennington, Emeritus professor of bacteriology at Aberdeen University, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that parents should "think hard" before letting children, particularly those under the age of 5, touch animals at petting farms.

By Stefan Puttnam, Managing Director, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Leisure. He added that in his view, for children under 5 the risk is not worth taking. I do not believe that any operator of a farm attraction wants to consider the economical effects of banning younger children, but as a result of the outbreak many such operators - particularly across the south of England – did see a drop in visitor numbers, some claiming by as much as 50%. It is worth considering whether this was an exaggerated response to what was ultimately a fairly isolated situation, or an indication that more should be done by operators to improve health and safety at their premises. Following the outbreak in the UK, the reaction was to close the affected sites as well as several others within the vicinity as a precautionary measure. Should another outbreak occur this summer, more sites will close and more operators will suffer. Considering the economic consequences of either a second outbreak or an enforced ban on younger children, the industry should take the opportunity to examine whether both can be prevented through greater health and safety regulation. As this type of event is not restricted to the UK, looking at how other countries would deal with the situation may be useful. Related: Theme parks & resorts : Pondering safety and legal liability Paulton's Park pickle underscores the importance of prior planning approval for new rides or attractions Waterparks: Chemicals and Safety
Posted By Stefan Puttnam -- At 1:34 PM \| Comments (3) \| Trackbacks (0)
Add Comment
Categories Amusement Parks, Attractions Business, FECs, Legal/safety, Zoos & Aquaria Tags animals, insurance, jardine, petting, safety, zoo
	(What are these?)	Recommend to a Friend

Trackbacks :
http://www.blooloop.com/blog/track.aspx?id=155

Comments :

Very interesting article. I never knew petting zoos could be a danger.

Comment By Natalie At 2/15/2010 10:00 PM

Seems like an extreme reaction. I think the rewards out weigh the risks. What children can experience and learn by interacting with animals is immense. Do we all live in too much fear these days?

Comment By Betty At 2/16/2010 10:54 PM

Most farm animals carry some form of E Coli in its various strains, the answer to the problems of children catching the virus when attending a farm is simple to manage. Hand Wash facilities, children must wash their hands if they have touched an animal, and this I am sure at most attractions is a function that all visitors are asked to do, this plus the fact of banning the comsumtion of food within the petting area, the hand to mouth is a most discouraged action. Operators keep an eye on small children and parents encourage their children to wash hands and for the parents themselves to be vigilant of what their children are doing. The Farm/Petting Zoo attraction is a fantastic learning facility for younger children, many of whom are brought up in the city and have not come face to face with the likes of Goats,sheep,Lambs and Calves before let alone some of the more unusual animals that attractions put in. The Joy that children get far outways the risk of visiting such an attraction if simple rules are adhered to. Wash your hands, operators are obliged to provide the facilities so use them.

Comment By Richard At 6/15/2010 5:23 PM