Animal rights groups take aim at Winter Fair

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This article was published 20/03/2024 (780 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Two events that involve young children and young animals scheduled for this year’s Royal Manitoba Winter Fair are under scrutiny by animal welfare groups that say sheep wrangling — or “mutton busting” — causes the animals needless suffering and may be against the law.

This year’s Winter Fair kicks off Monday, March 25, and runs until March 30 in the barns, convention halls, concourse areas and Westoba arena at the Keystone Centre.

The national animal law organization Animal Justice and the Winnipeg and Brandon humane societies are unanimous in their calls to stop the sheep wrangling and calf scramble, said Kaitlyn Mitchell, director of legal advocacy for Animal Justice.

“The calf scramble and wrangling events involve chasing animals, tackling animals and grabbing on to their bodies,” said Mitchell. “And not only does that put the animals at risk of physical injury, but it can also cause really serious stress, fear and panic.”

Mitchell, who is a lawyer, cited the Animal Care Act, which she said is the provincial statute that prohibits causing distress to animals.

But the Manitoba law is “challenging,” she said. It states that some activities like fairs are exempt, and the standards that are listed that should be followed are “so old, that they don’t actually exist anymore.”

“So, what we’re left with then is a law that says you cannot cause distress to animals unless it’s consistent with generally accepted practices, but any generally accepted practice cannot cause needless suffering,” said Mitchell.

“And our perspective is that this is the very definition of needless suffering — so events where children or young adults are chasing, tackling, grabbing on to animals may very well be unlawful,” she said.

In 2022, a similar protest by the same animal welfare groups put pressure on the RMWF. And four days before opening day, both the piggy and calf scrambles were cancelled by fair organizers.

Sheep wrangling went ahead last year and is scheduled again this year. There is no calf scramble, but a new event called barnyard challenge, said Mark Humphries, general manager with the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba.

“How they are describing the events, to be honest, is not accurate,” Humphries said. “There are no animals that are wrestled to the ground or put in distress or fear. And as far as chasing animals around in a brightly lit, unfamiliar arena, the animals are familiarized with the arena before the show even starts, which obviously these guys aren’t aware of.”

The Provincial Exhibition invited representatives from Manitoba’s chief veterinary office as well as the animal protection office to the fair last year “to be part of our show at every aspect,” said Humphries.

Manitoba’s Chief Veterinary Officer is responsible for enforcing the Animal Care Act.

Protecting the welfare of domesticated and non-domesticated animals in the province is the act’s objective, as well as ensuring acceptable standards are followed, including providing animals with adequate food, water, shelter, exercise and medical attention.

Additionally, animals are to be kept in areas that are uncrowded, sanitary, have adequate lighting and are well ventilated.

The third objective for animal care under the act is to avoid infliction of emotional or physical suffering, injury, harm, anxiety or distress.

“The animal protection office witnessed both events last year,” Humphries said. “We asked them to rigorously observe and report back on their findings. We did not have any wrongful interventions within the Animal Care Act, or with any of our protocols and practices. We asked them to review, and all the reviews came back as good,” he said.

The Sun requested an interview with Manitoba’s Chief Veterinary Officer regarding a visit to this year’s Winter Fair and asked for reaction to the animal welfare groups calling for cancellation of sheep wrangling and the barnyard challenge.

A statement from a government spokesperson was provided that said ongoing communication with the fair organizers and stakeholders is essential in maintaining the well-being of all animals involved.

“The Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) remains committed to attending the Royal Winter Fair and ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare are upheld throughout the event. The CVO takes its responsibilities seriously and is dedicated to promptly addressing any significant welfare issues that may arise,” said the emailed statement.

Day 2 of the Winter Fair, Tuesday at 7 p.m., is when the barnyard challenge is scheduled. Sheep wrangling is slated for Thursday at 7 p.m. Both events have closed for entries, having reached the maximum.

The barnyard challenge is described as an event “featuring calves/sheep wrangling/obstacle course” for teams of one or two within the same age group of 15 to 21 years of age, according to the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba’s website.

Participants must sign a release form that states, “The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba and its sponsors acknowledge that a Barnyard Challenge featuring Calves/Sheep Wrangling/Obstacle Course is a dangerous activity and that participation in a Barnyard Challenge featuring Calves/Sheep Wrangling/Obstacle Course as a competitor exposes the participant to some risk of property damage or personal injury.”

Animal Justice’s Mitchell said while it’s important to observe the Animal Care Act, to “prevent unnecessary animal suffering,” as a parent she finds the events “troubling.”

“It’s not an educational way to teach children about kindness and care and respect for animals. So, you know, it’s concerning to me as both as a lawyer and as a mother,” said Mitchell.

Humphries said he wished the animal welfare groups had requested having a direct conversation with him to discuss their concerns.

“Hands up to the humane society, they do a fantastic job in protecting animals and we’re not wanting to distance ourselves from that. We’re much more open to having a conversation rather than this attack,” Humphries said.

“I would like people to come and see, come look, and take note of the event. We’re full of youngsters that are coming to experience every part of the fair, including the agriculture aspects,” he added.

“We’re bringing world class entertainment and equestrian right to your doorstep in the Keystone Centre, so there’s a lot of positives here. And it’s a great shame that these two items are being looked at as negative, and sometimes these organizations speak without doing proper research and proper in-depth conversations with the people actually involved. I find that very, very sad.”

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

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