Why Pig Racing Is Cruel
The state and county fair circuit is rife with exploitative animal displays, including cruel pig racing. During these races, these piglets are surrounded by screaming crowds and blaring loudspeakers with no chance of escape and no understanding of what is happening to them.
Where Pigs Used for Racing Come From
Exhibitors need a constant supply of piglets for these races, so they routinely buy from breeders. Instead of being nurtured by their doting mothers, weeks-old babies are sold and put on the road.
Pigs forced to race are treated like objects. One exhibitor even admitted that though the piglets are named, their names are “interchangeable.” And often the names callously predict the pigs’ fate, like “Pork Chop,” “Ham Solo,” and “Kevin Bacon.”
“Sometimes they don’t want to race. They’ll kind of scoot toward the back of the pen like, ‘I don’t really want to go today.’ Then you have to cajole them (with) treats.” Pig handler for All-Alaskan Racing Pigs
It’s miserable and frightening for these young animals to be hauled from venue to venue, brought out into totally unnatural settings with loud noises and raucous crowds, and subjected to a bizarre and chaotic ordeal.
What Happens After Pigs Are Used for Racing
Pig racing exhibitors typically only use piglets for 2 1/2 – 4 months since they quickly grow too large to be used on the racing circuit. Some are sold to breeders to keep churning out more to enter the cruel cycle. Others are sold for slaughter.
“So that’s the other thing, they are food. And eventually many of them end up there.” Bart Noll, owner, All-Alaskan Pig Races
Personable Pigs
Pigs are highly perceptive and intelligent animals who excel at learning and understanding concepts. These social, playful, and loyal animals enjoy communicating with each other, making nests, relaxing in the sun, and cooling off in the mud.
If your local fair advertises these races, please contact fair management to strongly voice your objections. Ask that they cancel the pig races—there are so many fun activities to do instead of this cruel event! Get friends and family to complain as well. Fair boards have the power and authority to reject animal exhibitors.
