Advocates Are Shunning Animal Attractions at Fairs—Here’s Why

Posted by Calvin on August 16, 2024

State and county fairs are often branded as a fun time for all—but once again, something that could be enjoyable for everyone is ruined by humans’ exploitation of other animals. 😟 People use animals as “attractions” at fairs with little or no regard for their well-being. Here are just some of the types of animal exhibits that are featured at fairs:

4-H

4-H encourages its members to raise animals for “projects” to see who can make the most $$$ off them. After fairs, most of these animals are taken to auctions, where they’re sold, typically to be slaughtered.

Other Animal Agricultural Displays

“Fair animals” are commonly displayed for competition “for having the nicest coats or gaits.” But after everyone’s finished gawking at them, they’re also sold—many of them for slaughter.

Rodeos

A rodeo is a violent spectator “sport” in which gentle animals are abused. Horses and calves are provoked with spurs, tails twisting, or electric prods, and straps are cinched tightly around their abdomens to make them buck and run around an arena. Countless animals, including humans, have died in these events.

Pulling Contests

In pulling contests, dogs, horses, and oxen are forced to drag huge loads. The only actual “test” in these contests is whether the animals will end up with pulled muscles and tendons—or even hernias or heart failure.

Big-Cat Acts

Some circus-style big-cat shows, like those provided by trainers Brunon Blaszak and Felicia Frisco, do fair circuits. Big cats used in these shows are often torn away from their mothers as babies, locked inside cages, taught to fear handlers’ whips and other weapons, and denied everything that’s natural and important to them.

Pig Races

In pig races, highly intelligent and sensitive pigs—including some who are young and still developing—endure mishandling, noise from crowds, and blaring music. Many folks watching these races are unaware that most of the pigs are sold for slaughter at the end of each season.

Pig Scrambles

During cruel pig scrambles, children are goaded into chasing down piglets, pulling their tails and ears, and tackling them. The pigs can get abrasions, dislocations, torn tendons or ligaments, and even broken limbs or backs.

Pig Wrestling

Pig wrestling and greased-pig contests are typically aimed at teens and adults. They’re encouraged to chase, grab, pull, drag, push, scratch, and tackle the animals—who have nowhere to hide and can’t escape.

‘Exotic-Animal’ Shows and Displays

Exploitative events like Sea Lion Splash and the Banana Derby keep animals in an almost constant state of discomfort, frustration, depression, and anxiety. Trainers often use beatings and food deprivation to force animals to perform tricks that are uncomfortable, stressful, and even painful.

Mouse or Rat ‘Roulette’

In this sick game, mice, rats, gerbils, and other small rodents are straight-up spun on a roulette-style wheel. The dizzy animals eventually drop into a numbered hole on the board, and humans who placed their bets on the numbers the animals drop into win prizes.

Animal ‘Freak’ Shows

Fairs market oversized and undersized animals as the “world’s largest/smallest (fill in the blank).” These animals are often confined to cramped, sweltering pits, cages, or tanks. 😢

Pony and Other Animal Rides

Many ponies used for rides suffer from painful hoof ailments and chafed skin caused by shoddy equipment. Camels and other animals used for rides are stuffed into cramped, hot trucks and trailers; transported across the country; and forced to carry humans on their backs while plodding in circles for hours.

Animals Used as ‘Prizes’

Fairgoers who win goldfish, rabbits, hermit crabs, iguanas, and other animals as prizes usually have little or no info on how to care for them. Many of these animals die within weeks.

Petting Zoos

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. Countless humans have gotten sick—and some have died—after contracting diseases from animals in petting zoos.

Some Fairs Are Shaping Up

The Avon Summer Festival in Ohio used to feature a Banana Derby, in which capuchin monkeys were strapped to dogs forced to race at high speeds. But after learning from PETA that the monkeys experience fear and anxiety during these races, the festival’s host, KevaWorks, pledged to no longer book the race at any event it manages in the future.

Speaking up legit works. If you see cruelty to animals at any state or county fair, don’t hesitate to act. Anyone can file a cruelty-to-animals complaint or ask the local animal control agency to check on an animal.

*****

Now you know what to look out for at fairs—but animals may be exploited in similar ways at your school! Learn all about “donkey basketball” fundraisers and why they’re so harmful to the animals involved.