Animals
No Animals
Assistance Dogs and Restricted Access
It is important that everyone understands why allowing animals at Santa Pod events poses a considerable hazard. These hazards relate both to the safety of the public and to the welfare of the dog. The event promoter has a legal duty to acknowledge and eliminate hazards; those that cannot be eliminated must be properly controlled.
Across the events industry, there are annual incidents involving dogs reacting unpredictably in busy or noisy environments. Even dogs with a history of calm behaviour may become anxious or disoriented in conditions involving extreme noise, engine fumes, vibrations, and large crowds, including when located far from the racetrack itself.
Assistance Dogs
Why This Matters for Assistance Dogs:
- Dogs hear higher frequencies than humans and are more sensitive to sound intensity.
- Sudden or continuous exposure above 85–90 dB can already cause distress or long-term damage to a dog’s hearing.
- Even trained assistance dogs are generally not desensitised to extreme or prolonged noise like that at drag racing events.
- Such extreme noise can trigger stress responses, confusion, or flight instincts, and places both the dog, its handler and other visitors at potential risk.
- Unlike humans, dogs cannot cover or protect their ears from sudden or sustained loud noises, making them far more vulnerable to hearing damage and stress in high-decibel environments.
The RSPCA have conducted a campaign to reduce the noise levels of fireworks as it is widely acknowledged that they do cause damage to the hearing of animals. NB: The current unacceptable noise level of fireworks is lower than levels recorded at drag strips in the UK. https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/fireworks
Under the Equality Act, it would be unlawful to refuse access to someone accompanied by an assistance dog, “except in the most exceptional circumstances.” Santa Pod is all about the ‘Exceptional’ – not seen at any other venue. The exceptional nature of our event environment features noisy, high-speed vehicles, and elevated risk factors dictate that certain areas of the site must remain restricted.
Assistance dogs can therefore only be admitted to a designated safe zone within the venue which is away from the racetrack and its amenities. Assistance dogs cannot be left unattended which means that you or a member of your group would be unable to watch the racing or other attractions during this time from this location and a complimentary ticket will be offered in this case. We would strongly recommend that you consider whether this is the right environment for you and your dog.
It may be more appropriate for you to take advantage of our Personal Assistant Complimentary Ticket Scheme to assist you with your visit.
Legitimate ID will be required for owners and their dogs and must be presented on arrival. A designated “toileting” area will be available, but owners/carers are responsible for the clearance and disposal of any waste.
NB: Please contact the Box Office prior to arrival to enable us to plan for ahead for your visit.
Should you need any further advice on the welfare of your assistance dog, please contact your local Assistance Dog service provider.
