The state- and county-fair circuits are rife with exploitative animal displays. Animals suffer tremendously when they are carted from town to town and forced to perform; they live in an almost constant state of discomfort, frustration, depression, and anxiety.
Always on the move, exhibitors rarely take the time to rest and exercise animals, and sick and injured animals often go without veterinary care. Please read the following information about the different types of animal exhibits that are featured at fairs. If you encounter any of these cruel displays and see an animal in distress, please contact local authorities immediately.
Most fairgoers quickly tire of their goldfish, rabbit, or iguana "prize," and the animals are often abandoned and left to die or are simply thrown in the trash.
Booth operators at many state and county fairs breed big cats to draw paying customers. Once they grow too large to be safely handled, older animals are frequently discarded at roadside zoos or sold to exotic-animal dealers.
Three 11-day-old tiger cubs died when exhibitor Craig Perry, operator of Perry's Exotic Animal Petting Zoo, used them in photo sessions. Although Perry knew that the cubs were sick, he did not provide them with veterinary care. Since 1990, more than 200 dangerous incidents involving big cats have been reported.
Life on the road for elephants is in profound contrast to their lives in the wild. Elephants are highly social animals who live in matriarchal herds. They are protective and caring, and they travel together as families. Captivity-induced health problems such as foot diseases and arthritis are common and life-threatening. Camels, too, are free-roaming animals who are confined to transport trailers and small pens, despite their imposing size. Displays featuring camels also put people at risk: Humans can contract brucellosis, ringworm, and tuberculosis from close interaction with camels.
Exploitative events such as "Sea Lion Splash" and dancing-bear shows portray intelligent animals as silly clowns. The acts that these animals are forced to perform are demeaning, and trainers often employ cruel behind-the-scenes training techniques—such as beatings and food deprivation—to force animals to perform tricks that are unnatural, frightening, and even painful.
The young boys and girls who participate in these events often don't know that the animals they raised and love will be slaughtered for monetary gain.
Small rodents—such as mice, rats, and gerbils—are placed on a roulette-style wheel, which is then spun. Dizzy and reeling, the animals eventually drop into a hole on the board. People who placed their bets on the number that the animal drops into "win" a prize.
The animals used in petting zoos are hauled around in tractor-trailers, confined to small pens and cages, and forced to interact with large crowds of people. The animals are rarely allowed to rest when on display, and they often develop health problems from this forced interaction.
Tethered tightly to turnstiles and forced to plod in endless circles, ponies can suffer from hoof ailments, and many suffer from sore, chafed skin caused by ill-fitting equipment. Ponies are not protected by the federal Animal Welfare Act, and when local or state authorities fail to intervene, the outcome can be fatal.
Highly intelligent and sensitive animals, pigs—including some who are young and still developing—endure mishandling, noise from crowds, and blaring music in these contests. Spectators at these events, especially children, often do not know that most of the pigs are sold for slaughter at the end of each season.
Unfortunately, the rodeo—a violent spectator "sport"—is a staple at many state and county fairs in the West and the Midwest. In rodeos, gentle animals such as horses and calves are provoked with spurs, tail-twisting, or electric prods or have straps cinched tightly around their abdomens to make them buck and run wildly around the arena.
If you see cruelty to animals at any state or county fair, don't hesitate to take action. Anyone can file a cruelty-to-animals complaint or ask the local animal control agency to check on an animal.
Visit PETA's Action Center to read about more ways to help animals.
this is all messed up. serieously! i LOVE my horse! and my animal. but i LOVE RODEO!! all you people who think rodeo animals are abused. your stupid! my horse is never FORCED to do something she doesnt like. i take better care of my horse than i do myself! i ASK her to do everything and if she says NO then there is a REASON for it!! She gets massages and chiropractic work and her hooves are always taken care of! shes well groomed and fed PERFECTLY! when i barrel racer her i use my body cues more than i do my hands on the bit. and i have thick protective boots on ALL FOUR of her legs. i used a mild bit when im riding her and i ALWAYS treat her right. DONT JUDGE SOMETHING UNTIL YOU HAVE TRIED IT AND KNOW ALL THE FLIPPING DETAILS BEHIND IT!!!!
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