SHEEP races through a Scots village have been cancelled after licensing chiefs invoked a performing animals law over the "degrading and frightening" event.

Organisers of the Moffat Sheep Races said they had were disappointed by the move and had taken the decision to cancel with "deep regret".

The Herald: Moffat Sheep Race

They said the event was cancelled after Dumfries and Galloway Council had required that the animals be licensed in line with the Performing Animals Act 1925 which they were unwilling to do at short notice.

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The local authority said it had not prevented the event from going ahead and it had been the organisers' decision.

Animals welfare campaigners welcomed the cancellation of the sheep races, expected to have been watched by a crowd of 5,000 people.

An online petition had reached 83,423 signatures against a target of 85,000 by Friday, with organiser Samantha Francis describing that the "naturally timid and quiet sheep will be made to race against each other through the streets of Moffat with teddy bears strapped to their backs".

"This is exploitative, degrading and frightening for the sheep, as crowds will be lining the streets, cheering and shouting.

"Animals are not ours to use for entertainment."

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The race organisers said the races had become "a firm fixture in the town’s calendar over the last five years and was a hugely successful fun day for all of the family", adding: "Furthermore, no objections and certainly no requests to apply this ancient act had been made until very recently.

The Herald:

"Nevertheless, the group will not be deterred, and will always be looking to boost the town."

The spokesperson for the Moffat Sheep Races said: "It is with deep regret that Moffat Promotions Group have to announce that the sheep races will not be taking place on Sunday.

"This is a decision that certainly hasn't been taken lightly and it deeply disappoints all of our members.

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"Dumfries and Galloway Council have required us to comply with the Performing Animals Act, 1925.

"This means that the sheep taking part in Sunday's race would have to be licensed to perform.

"This was a step those involved in the organisation of the event weren't willing to undertake, especially at such short notice."

John Robins, of Animal Concern Advice Line, said; “I am very pleased these races have been cancelled.

"The natural habitat and natural behaviour of sheep does not include being chased down a main street while being cheered on by a crowd of 5,000 people.

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"I’m sure the good people of Moffat will come up with a fun non-animal alternative in time for their 2018 Gala Day.

"I suggest they play pin the tail on the donkey with representatives of the various animal welfare enforcing agencies dressed up in donkey suits.

"This event clearly breached animal welfare laws but no-one with the responsibility to enforce those laws did anything about it.

"I hope that by this time next year a new Scottish law on performing animals will specifically ban events such as this.”

Dumfries and Galloway Council said in a statement it had been working to try to ensure the races would go ahead, adding: "It is widely recognised that this year's event has attracted a lot of negative publicity and attention from animal activists.

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"Our officers have been providing advice and meeting with the organisers for weeks.

"The organisers are required to place the event on a public register for such events and we have been working with the event organisers on this administrative process.

"This is not a council decision. This is the law."