For more than a century, teams of donkeys have carried tourists down the beach at Blackpool, one of Britain’s top tourist destinations. But only now are they to get a compulsory lunch break.
As part of a wide-ranging “employment rights” charter for donkeys, announced on Wednesday, Blackpool council inspectors are to carry out spot checks on the beach to ensure the animals get a statutory hour off to munch their hay.
The 200 animals working at the coastal resort in north-west England ferry tourists along the beach throughout the summer.
Under the new rules, donkeys must only work from 10am to 7pm and get Fridays off, as well as the lunch break.
They will also get an annual donkey health check-up, in which officials and veterinarians check each animal’s hooves, ears, teeth and coats are in good condition.
A spokesperson said the council will carry out inspections to ensure the animals, whose distant ancestors were brought to the region to work down mines, are being well treated.
“Some people might think it is quite a hard day on the beach with no break on a busy day,” she said. “It is an important part of our tourism business. We want the donkeys to be happy and healthy.”
Some of the rules already existed, and the council is largely codifying the regulations to make sure they are well known, the spokesperson added.
“The donkey’s Friday off is a by-law that has been in place for, well, donkey’s years,” she said. — AFP