One of the more traditional staples of this Fair has been the so-called Pig Scramble organized as "Children Entertainment" .
The idea is to have small pigs confined to an enclosure and have small children chase them around, trying to catch one and bag it.
The Canadian Veterinarian Medical Association has made it very clear that animals should not be forced to perform actions resulting in physical or behavioral signs of distress or discomfort.
Dr. Temple Grandine, an expert in livestock handling at Colorado State University says, forcing a pig into a highly novel environment can be very stressful, they can overheat, could get a stroke and die.
After one such Scramble in Petitcodiac, a piglet broke down and could not stand up anymore. It was a little pig which could not deal with the physical exertion and emotional stress.
People including the Fair Board of Directors in Petitcodiac should realize these kind of games, may seem fun for some of our society, are certainly not fun for these animals.
The organizers should find some other and appropriate fun games for children and not something at the cost of animals. This is NOT ACCEPTABLE..
