Outrage erupts over Aussie shopping centre’s ‘cruel’ Christmas display: ‘It’s 2025, they should do better’

Visitors to a busy local shopping centre were horrified to see two large reindeer kept in a small gated area.

Christmas festivities at Jesmond Central, in west Newcastle, were called into question on Wednesday with dozens of customers appalled by what they said was the poor treatment of the animals.

One shopper described the pen the animals were kept in as a six-metre-by-eight-metre fenced area in the shopping centre’s walkway, with no food or water, and a patch of plastic grass.

‘I had to pay an unfortunate visit to Jesmond shopping centre today and I was so heartbroken to see these poor reindeer in an 8×6 pen in the middle of the shopping centre,’ she wrote online.

‘No food, no water and no supervisor.

‘They are literally being used as a photo prop so people can get photos with them in their fu***ing Christmas outfits. 

‘Also these ‘Reindeer rules’ aren’t going to stop Methanie from trying to mount one and take it for a ride around Jesmond Central.’

A disheartening photo showed one of the reindeer folded on the ground while another peered over the short fence. Both were dressed in festive saddles and fur-lined muzzles with bells around their feet.

The shopping centre posted an advertisement on Monday which stated the reindeer would be in-store on Tuesday and Wednesday.

‘If your kids have ever asked to meet a real-life reindeer, you don’t need to book flights to the North Pole,’ it wrote.

‘Just pop in tomorrow, Santa’s gorgeous reindeer are visiting!

‘Come and join us for this FREE event and take a photo with the reindeer crew!’ 

The reindeer were available for photos between 11am to 12.30pm and 3.30pm to 5pm.

They will return for another four sessions in December.

Dozens of commenters under Jesmond Central’s post called for the events to be cancelled.

‘How is this okay?’ one wrote.

‘This is awful – I can’t believe you are all okay with keeping these animals inside!’ another said.

‘Doesn’t look very cheerful to me,’ another wrote.

‘Animal cruelty is not okay. It’s 2025. We know better, let’s do better!’ another said.

‘Reindeer are wild animals, not Christmas props. Dragging them into a noisy, crowded shopping centre for photos is incredibly stressful and completely unnecessary,’ another wrote. 

However, other commenters were excited to see the beloved Christmas animals in-person.

‘I am super keen to see a real reindeer,’ one wrote. 

Another said: ‘I went down there yesterday. The two reindeer looked very relaxed and calm, they did not look scared or stressed in any way. 

‘The owner was right there with them, letting kids stand beside them for photos. They weren’t allowed to touch their antlers, feet or legs and also had to be very calm in the pen. 

‘It was a very special experience for my son.’

The Daily Mail has contacted Haben, the owner of Jesmond Central, for comment.