A scared animal. A screaming crowd. A tradition that Maine doesn't need.

The Clinton Lions Agricultural Fair is planning a pig scramble event, a practice that torments young pigs for entertainment. Pig and calf scrambles terrify young animals, exposing them to rough handling and significant stress, with a high risk of injury. They teach children that bullying a vulnerable creature – causing them fear and pain for sport – is acceptable. Worse, it desensitizes all of us to the suffering of animals.

In organized chaos, young pigs are released into an arena surrounded by crowds. Children chase them, grab them, and often unintentionally hurt them in the process. The animals are scared, disoriented, and struggling to escape the noise and chaos. They experience fear and trauma, all in the name of tradition. Is this the message we want to send to our children? That exploiting the vulnerable is entertaining?

Evidence from animal behavior studies shows that pigs are intelligent and sensitive creatures. Subjecting them to such distress is inhumane and antiquates entertainment. Furthermore, many communities across the nation have ended this practice, acknowledging its unnecessary cruelty.

The time is now for the Clinton Lions Agricultural Fair to step forward and make a difference. By canceling the pig scramble and committing to never hosting one in the future, they can demonstrate a commitment to compassion and modern values, setting a precedent for other fairs in Maine to follow. It is a chance to educate the community about kindness to animals, promoting activities that do not involve fear and suffering.

We urge the Clinton Lions Agricultural Fair to heed the call and cancel this year’s pig scramble. We also call upon them to pledge never to host such an event in the future. Let us all work together to end this “tradition” statewide. We need your support to make this change possible – for the animals and for our society.

Please sign this petition to stand up against animal cruelty and to promote a fair that reflects the compassionate values of today’s world.