Ponies banned from charity effort

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/leicestershire/8221118.stm

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Collectors for a children's charity who take to the streets with miniature ponies have been banned from Leicester.

Phoenix Children's Foundation, based in Coalville, organises the ponies to provide fun and therapy for local disabled and terminally ill children.

But volunteers were asked to leave the city centre after officials said they did not have permission to bring the animals with them.

The council said the charity was welcome to collect but without ponies.

Permit rules

A charity spokesman insisted they had applied for licences some time ago.

"We were of the understanding that Leicester City Council were aware that we always bring the ponies to Leicester city centre.

"We have done it several times - we have had the ponies in Beaumont Leys, we have had them in Uppingham Road and they have been fine. But Leicester city centre itself appears to a bit of an issue."

The city council responded in a statement: "Permits for any street collectors like this state clearly that they are not allowed to use animals, for a number of reasons including safety and animal welfare.

"In this case the collectors were using six muzzled Shetland ponies, one of which appeared to be getting quite agitated.

"We did not stop them from collecting, but made it clear they were not allowed to do so with the ponies."