Scenes from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, showing TV stars riding donkeys up steep hills in Santorini(credit: Bravo TV/NBC Universal).
Charity Urges Compassionate Treatment Of Donkeys After Santorini Reality TV Scenes
2 weeks ago 
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Recent scenes from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City showing donkey rides in Greece have sparked fresh debate from animal welfare experts on animals used in tourism.
Working animal charity Brooke is calling for recognition of working animals as sentient beings with intrinsic value, not props for entertainment - after a Real Housewives episode showed reality stars riding donkeys up steep hills in Santorini.
Globally, millions of communities rely on donkeys, horses and mules for transport and livelihoods, including tourism. Brooke believes that with responsibility and compassion, this industry can support both people and the animals they depend on.
Brooke has reached out to Real Housewives’ production company Bravo to condone this behaviour and emphasises the poor welfare implications donkey rides can have.
Dr Laura Skippen, Global Head of Animal Health and Welfare at Brooke, said: “Tourism can coexist with compassion when animals are treated with dignity.
“Good welfare should ensure that animals are cared for, respected and not pushed beyond their needs.
“Leisure use that is unnecessary or purely for spectacle should never come at the expense of an animal’s wellbeing, particularly when alternatives exist.
“We ask that producers and TV stars refrain from using donkey rides for entertainment and follow a strict internal protocol for filming.”
Horses and donkeys working in tourism can travel long distances, often in harsh climates, with limited access to water and shade, and over challenging terrain.
As they pull carts or carry people and heavy luggage, their welfare can often be overlooked – leading to injury, dehydration and exhaustion.
Brooke asks people to consider: Is the animal happy and healthy? Can the animal carry or pull my weight? What alternatives are there to using animals?
The charity hopes that owners, tourists, media and authorities alike continue to raise standards and support practices that put animal welfare first.
Tourists are encouraged to reach out to their tour operator, local police or authority if they witness an animal being exploited.
Read Brooke's guide to responsible use of animals in tourism.
Contact [email protected] for spokespeople and interview opportunities.
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