Medical experts have warned young children are at risk from the E. coli bacteria when petting animals at farms and zoos. Some animal centres have been closed down while others are coming under increased pressure to ensure very young children are protected. Dr Ron Cutler from the SBCS explained that more should be done to protect children at the petting farms, including improved hygiene controls. He said: “The trouble today is often they don't get to touch live animals and when they do, maybe the actual conditions in which they touch them aren't as good as they ought to be.”Dr Cutler’s comments have been widely reported in the media over the weekend including The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, Metro, Sky News, BBC News online, and various local newspapers.