More than 40,000 people had signed a petition calling for donkey rides to be banned on Coney Beach.

Donkey rides will no longer be allowed on Porthcawl’s Coney Beach, one of the most popular beaches in Wales.

The ban – which initially applied to dogs – has now been extended by Bridgend council to all animals, and will be effective from May 1 to September 30.

Originating in Victorian times, donkey rides have been a long-standing staple of British beach holidays. However, amid increasing awareness of animal rights, they are now seen by many as cruel and outdated.

Among those welcoming the news was Jacqui Howe, founder of Springwood Sanctuary, a horse and donkey sanctuary in Carmarthen.

“Circuses have been outlawed, and greyhound racing is going to be banned,” she told BBC News. “People are becoming more aware that animals should be able to have a free life.”

In 2019, more than 40,000 people signed a petition calling for donkey rides to be banned on Coney Beach.

Megan Pilliner felt compelled to start the petition after witnessing donkeys “left all day with minimal shelter and water on the hot sand,” as temperatures exceeded 30 degrees.

According to The Donkey Sanctuary – who discourage the use of donkeys in tourism – “donkeys naturally avoid showing distress. This leaves them vulnerable to being overworked and overloaded, and for their basic needs to be overlooked.”

In Aberdyfi, Louise Peeters decided to shut down her donkey riding business in 2019, after seeing how children with educational needs interacted with the donkeys. She was inspired to set up Dyfi Donkeys, in Machynlleth, where visitors can enjoy non-riding sessions with the donkeys.

The interactions are heavily sensory and therapeutic, says Peeters, and can have a profound effect on those with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing differences.

As such, schools, families, and individuals with disabilities have all visited Dyfi Donkeys, while most recently, students from Aberystwyth University arrived to de-stress from exams and revision.

The ban on Coney Beach may spell the end for donkey rides across Wales, with the number of donkey ride operators already at an all-time low. So far this year, Ceredigion and Gwynedd councils have issued just one licence respectively to donkey ride operators, while Denbighshire council has issued none.

The phasing-out of donkey rides follows the closure of Coney Beach Amusement Park, which shut down last October, after more than 100 years. A new waterfront lido is set to take its place.

This comes as part of Bridgend council’s long-term ambitions to regenerate Portcawl, with plans for over 1,000 new homes, shops and restaurants, a hotel, and a new seafront.

After enjoying a heyday in the 1960s and ’70s, the Welsh tourism industry has suffered badly since the proliferation of affordable flights abroad.

Species Unite News is a weekly round-up of the most important animal stories happening around the world. Join over 200,000 others who start their week with the latest animal stories delivered straight to their inbox.

We Have A Favor To Ask…

Species Unite amplifies well-researched solutions to some of the most abusive animal industries operating today.

At this crucial moment, with worldwide momentum for change building, it’s vital we share these animal-free solutions with the world - and we need your help.

We’re a nonprofit, and so to keep sharing these solutions, we’re relying on you - with your support, we can continue our essential work in growing a powerful community of animal advocates this year.