A member of the public complained and the farm may now have to closeNeil Shaw Assistant Editor (Money and Lifestyle)
09:46, 09 Dec 2025
Sarah is fearful she will have to close and ‘cull’ her animals
A farmer may be forced to cull her reindeer after a council ruled they are “dangerous wild animals”. Sarah Sutton, 51, keeps 10 reindeer on her farm and hosts a ‘meet and greet’ experience for visitors.
But now she fears Christmas is ‘ruined’ – after being told by the local council they require a zoo license to continue their business – as reindeers are classified as “dangerous and wild.” She has described the notion as “absurd” because they had “the temperament of a dog crossed with a pony”.
Sarah, who has run the Somerset Reindeer Ranch for 14 years, is saying the cost of the licence will mean their business will be forced to finish. She said: “I’m trying to run a business that makes people happy and spreads Christmas cheer. We should be happy and playing Christmas music and dancing, but each morning I’m waking up shaking. They have ruined Christmas.”
Sarah Sutton and Annie Price from the Somerset Reindeer Ranch
If Somerset Council does not go back on its decision, Sarah said she might have to euthanise her herd – whose names are: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Harry, Camilla, Aurora, Blitzen, Arthur, Snowflake and Comet.
A zoo licence, which are usually issued to sites that keep dangerous animals, require strict safety measures, which include having firearms in case of an escapes. In Somerset, applying for such a licence costs £2,747 and roughly £2,697 to renew it after four years.
The farm would also have to store ammunition and tranquilliser darts – due to Arthur the reindeer’s height being classed among the highest risk animals by DEFRA. Sarah, a former Iraq veteran, previously ran the 10-acre farm in Yeovil alongside her husband, David, 53, under an animal activity licence – where they would conduct their ‘meet and greet’ experiences.
The reindeer at Sarah Sutton’s Somerset Reindeer Ranch
They have previously opened up their farm to schools, colleges and disability groups, and also take the reindeer off-site for events such as Christmas lights switch-ons. But in October Sarah and David were informed by the council that it had had a complaint about the public events.
The council said it had carried out a “review of the law and guidance”, and that reindeer were classed as “wild animals” under the Zoo Licensing Act. The firm has been allowed to continue as normal over the festive period, however, their future in 2026 remains uncertain.
Somerset Council said: “We understand that obtaining a zoo licence is a lengthy process, and we have been mindful of the practicalities involved both leading up to and throughout the application. We will continue to provide advice and support, and assist in any way we can.”