Dowty Sports & Social Club to Host Controversial Reptile Market
In a surprising turn of events, the Dowty Sports & Social Club in Gloucester has agreed to host a reptile market on August 10, 2024. This decision comes after the Churchdown Community Centre, Gloucester, cancelled the event following advice from Tewkesbury Council that the market was likely to involve illegal animal selling. The South West Reptile Club (SWRC) market was left homeless and scrambling for a new venue.
The trading of pet animals at market stalls has been outlawed since 1983, as market conditions are not suitable for ensuring even minimal animal welfare standards. In these temporary, makeshift conditions, sensitive exotic animals are boxed up and displayed in small, plastic tubs without access to food, water, or adequate hiding spaces. Scientific research has shown that in these crude conditions, animal suffering is inevitable.
This is not the first time that the Dowty Sports & Social Club has hosted a reptile market. Last December, the SWRC staged a similar event at their premises, which was later found to involve illegal animal selling by animal protection groups. The venue’s Facebook page even featured images of reptiles in small plastic containers, with last year’s event being described as “something a little different!”
Following the cancellation of the event at the Churchdown Community Centre, the Animal Protection Agency (APA) reached out to dozens of venues in the area to warn them about reptile market organisers seeking a new location. The General Manager at the Dowty Sports & Social initially claimed they had not been approached to host such an event, but the APA received a tip-off that the venue is planning to stage another reptile market.
Elaine Toland, Director of the Animal Protection Agency, stated, “The mistreatment of animals at reptile markets inevitably sparks public outcry. Why would any venue knowingly facilitate or wish to be associated with this? There is a strong possibility that animal sellers will be prosecuted if the event proceeds, and the Dowty Sports & Social may be left to deal with the reputational fallout.”
Laura Walton, Campaigns Manager for Freedom for Animals, added, “We are shocked to hear that the Dowty Sports & Social has agreed to host this event, one which has previously been evidenced to involve illegal animal selling. The stress inflicted on animals transported and displayed at these events is precisely why trading pet animals at markets was banned. Many venues have already done the right thing and distanced themselves from such exploitative activities, and so we are calling on the Dowty Sports & Social to follow suit.”
Aside from animal welfare concerns, reptile markets also pose a significant public health risk, as there is a high chance of germs transferring from animals to people and contaminating the venue after the event. This is especially concerning for vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.
The event is being distributed by pressat.co.uk and is set to take place on August 10, 2024, at the Dowty Sports & Social Club located on Down Hatherley Ln, Gloucester GL2 9QH. It remains to be seen if the venue will reconsider their decision to host the controversial reptile market.
