Animals - LHE

Animals are not allowed within the LHE unless the show client has specifically agreed that they are permitted. This is especially applicable to shows for corporate clients such as English Heritage, or local authorities, who generally have animal policies in force.

Animals must not be brought into the LHE unless the show broadsheet or information specifically permits their presence, or else individual specific permission had been agreed before the show. Anyone turning up at a show with an animal and without prior approval may be refused entry by the LHE Co-ordinator or other Society Officers without recourse.

In general, reference to animals means pets, usually dogs, as no-one tends to bring any other type of animal (although ferrets have turned up before !!).

Where animals are allowed :-

Animals are the responsibility of their owners at all times (whoever brought them to the show is deemed to be their ‘owner’), whether the public are present or not.

Animals must not be brought to shows if the owners will not have enough time to properly look after them. They are to be properly fed and watered whilst present at a show and given appropriate exercise. Animals must not be allowed to foul the LHE or the show site in general, and owners are expected to clean up after them, disposing of droppings and the like in appropriate waste facilities. Generally animals must not cause a nuisance to the public, other re-enactors or other animals. During sleeping hours animals must be kept quiet or else should be removed from the campsite.

Animals must be kept secured on appropriate leads throughout the show and must not be allowed to roam free unless there is suitable open ground away from the campsite. All facilities used to secure animals within the LHE must be suitably authentic. All feed and water dishes must be similarly authentic.

The Society is not responsible for any action by an animal. Any damage caused by an animal is the responsibility of the owner who will be liable to pay for any such damage.

Any animal that persistently behaves in a manner which gives cause for concern may be banned from the LHE by the society LHE Co-ordinator or a society High Council Officer. Appeal is allowed to the Konungr but any ban will remain in force until such time as the appeal is heard. Any animal that injures a member of the public or a member of the society will be automatically banned for life from the LHE without recourse.

Specific additional guidance and rules are required for any animal that is not purely a pet. For example a horse or other working animal. These may also be pets, but essentially if you wouldn’t have the animal in your house as a pet then special rules may apply. This includes any animal that needs to be kept in a cage, or tank or anywhere ‘special’ and is not allowed to roam free throughout the house.

Considering the diverse number of species that this may cover anyone wishing to bring animals other than the average dog (or cat) to a show is required to seek special permission from the LHE co-ordinator before the show.

Horses perhaps require a further mention. The riding or leading of horses through the LHE is specifically banned unless it is part of a scripted acting session. Any horse so allowed to pass through the LHE is required to have someone follow the horse to collect any droppings or the like which would otherwise compromise the living conditions of the LHE inhabitants.