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The Latitude festival has been accused of cruelty for dyeing sheep pink as a 'stunt'.

Animal rights charity Peta accused Latitude of being 'thoughtless' after the animals were released on the first day of the festival in Henham Park, Suffolk.

The sheep were dip-dyed bright pink. This is a process which involves the animals, generally regarded as timid creatures, being partially submerged in liquid.

Director of Peta, Mimi Bekhechi, said: "Their heads likely held down with a crook so that the dye would cover their entire body.

(Image: EMPICS Entertainment)

(Image: Photoshot. All rights reserved.)

"And the abuse didn't stop there.

"These gentle prey animals are easily stressed and would have been terrified of the loud music and rowdy, drunk festival goers.

"In 2019, only ignorant or cruel people still use animals as living toys, props, and photo ops.

"We've learned enough about animals to know to respect and admire them for their ability to live in a world we're fast destroying.

"The Health and Safety Executive advises that sheep should never be dyed for cosmetic purposes.

"Latitude needs to listen to the outrage on social media and stick to willing, human entertainers."

(Image: EMPICS Entertainment)

(Image: EMPICS Entertainment)

But Latitude say that dip-dyeing is a normal process for sheep.

A statement from the organisers said: "The sheep are dip dyed using natural, water-based dye.

"They are used to dip dyeing as part of their normal farm life."

The festival is set around a lake at Henham Park near Southwold in Suffolk.

East Suffolk Council commented on behalf of Latitude. "In our animal welfare capacity, East Suffolk Council has no concerns about the sheep this year or in the 14 years that this activity has taken place.

(Image: EMPICS Entertainment)

"We are entirely happy that the water-based dye is completely safe and that the festival organisers have taken all appropriate steps to ensure the animals are content, safe and well-looked after.

"As part of our wide-ranging licensing and environmental health responsibilities, the Council takes the welfare of all animals very seriously and if we had encountered any issues or felt that the sheep were suffering distress of any kind we would not permit such an activity."

The festival's twitter post about the sheep has received a significant backlash.

One person responded: "This is disgusting! Animals are not here for us to use how we please.

"They are not toys or objects! They are living beings!"

Abi Ambler-Braid wrote: "This is really quite disgusting, the poor things.

"They’re animals, they’re living creatures. They are NOT props or accessories for a music festival."