Last year, little Jessica began raising Cedar the baby goat for a "livestock project" through her local 4-H chapter. But Jessica learned to love Cedar as a pet and family member, so she begged to withdraw from the project and save Cedar from the slaughter he was being raised for.
But the Shasta District Fair had zero mercy or compassion.
They ripped Cedar away from Jessica, slaughtered him, and fed him to a barbecue party full of people.Sign to demand an apology from Shasta District Fair officials for these despicable actions, as well as a vow to do better!The night before Cedar was set to be auctioned off for slaughter, Jessica and her mother decided to ask for mercy. Jessica's mom even offered to pay the money that the fair would lose from not auctioning off Cedar, a truly insignificant amount. Jessica and her family had legal standing to do all this, and their case is being fought right now; but more importantly, the fair organization had a moral obligation to see reason and choose empathy.
But fair officials, obsessed with arbitrary rules based on the cruelty of the agricultural industry, wouldn't hear their pleas.
So they sent police officers hundreds of miles (using taxpayer dollars) to kidnap Jessica's beloved Cedar so he could be killed as the institution intended.Cedar was just 7 months old, still a baby. The Shasta District Fair CEO and Board of Directors must issue an apology to the Long family, acknowledging the horrific emotional trauma caused by their actions.
But an apology is just the beginning -- this state agency must commit to real, compassionate change. The Shasta District Fair needs to implement new policies that promote animal welfare and compassion, ending the practice of auctioning animals raised by literal children for slaughter at the fair and creating alternative activities that celebrate the bond between humans and animals.
We cannot remain silent until justice is served for Cedar and Jessica, a life cut short and a heart shattered by the callous actions of this state agency aided by law enforcement. We cannot be silent until Shasta District Fair CEO Melanie Silva and the Board of Directors promises to never let this happen again.
Sign the petition for justice for Cedar and Jessica!