Letters
I am sending this letter on behalf of Animal Place to inform Lake County and Lake County News that we are disappointed to see “mutton busting” take place at this weekend's rodeo.
The rodeo's "mutton busting" event is cruel and dangerous for both children and sheep.
In 2019 Alameda County Board of Supervisors banned “mutton busting” because it is a cruel and unnecessary practice.
This event was even dropped from rodeos across New Zealand at the recommendation from the New Zealand Veterinary Association. They deemed sheep “not built to carry this weight”. In addition to the weight on their backs this is an incredibly stressful and terrifying event and environment for the animals.
We condemn rodeos and the act of “mutton busting.” We encourage Lake County to follow Alameda Counties lead and ban the practice.
Please take these steps to make this world, and your county, a more compassionate world for animals and people.
Kelcie Leach is program director for the Animal Place in Grass Valley, California.
The rodeo's "mutton busting" event is cruel and dangerous for both children and sheep.
In 2019 Alameda County Board of Supervisors banned “mutton busting” because it is a cruel and unnecessary practice.
This event was even dropped from rodeos across New Zealand at the recommendation from the New Zealand Veterinary Association. They deemed sheep “not built to carry this weight”. In addition to the weight on their backs this is an incredibly stressful and terrifying event and environment for the animals.
We condemn rodeos and the act of “mutton busting.” We encourage Lake County to follow Alameda Counties lead and ban the practice.
Please take these steps to make this world, and your county, a more compassionate world for animals and people.
Kelcie Leach is program director for the Animal Place in Grass Valley, California.
- Details
- Written by: Kelcie Leach
To the Editor:
Re: "Lake County Rodeo in search of the cutest cowpokes, mutton busters":
Organizers of the Lake County Rodeo should take a hard look at what they are teaching children.
Kind people believe that animals should be treated with respect and compassion, not abused like cheap toys.
Forcing sheep to carry screaming children all over a rodeo arena in “mutton bustin’” events is cruel.
Sheep are personable animals who are emotionally complex and highly intelligent. Intentionally or not, overly excited kids can be rough.
Sheep may be kicked, or have their tails and ears pulled. Children who participate come away with the belief that animals can be harassed for “fun” no matter how frightening it may be for the animal.
This gratuitous spectacle should be put out to pasture.
Jennifer O'Connor is a senior writer for the PETA Foundation, based in Norfolk, Virginia.
Re: "Lake County Rodeo in search of the cutest cowpokes, mutton busters":
Organizers of the Lake County Rodeo should take a hard look at what they are teaching children.
Kind people believe that animals should be treated with respect and compassion, not abused like cheap toys.
Forcing sheep to carry screaming children all over a rodeo arena in “mutton bustin’” events is cruel.
Sheep are personable animals who are emotionally complex and highly intelligent. Intentionally or not, overly excited kids can be rough.
Sheep may be kicked, or have their tails and ears pulled. Children who participate come away with the belief that animals can be harassed for “fun” no matter how frightening it may be for the animal.
This gratuitous spectacle should be put out to pasture.
Jennifer O'Connor is a senior writer for the PETA Foundation, based in Norfolk, Virginia.
- Details
- Written by: Jennifer O'Connor
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