petting

An animal farm that was heavily criticised earlier this year has come under scrutiny again as the local council places strict restrictions on petting on the premises. Staff and customers alike are unhappy at the severity of the new regime that has been forced on them.

"It's bloody ridiculous" said one mother who wished to remain anonymous. "I was holding my son's hand while we were looking at the pigs and some bloke in hi-vis came over and told me that if I didn't let go we would be thrown out. I called him a pervert for looking at my son and he should sling his hook. So he threw us out. I won't be going back."

Staff also have attracted the wrath of the inspectors. The strict no petting policy has caused a great deal of unhappiness after one of the farm's managers was observed kissing his wife goodbye as she dropped him off at work. He was instantly suspended pending further investigations.

Trainee vet Samantha Jodhpurs agreed to meet us in a local pub, well away from the watchful eyes of the inspectors, to discuss the change of conditions at the farm. "It's got to the point where you can't even brush hands with a colleague when you pass them animal feed" she said. "Two employees cannot be alone together, there must always be three of us as a minimum at any one time. The inspectors are everywhere, even in the staff toilets. The only reason we stay is loyalty to the farm owners."