Each year Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN adds “extreme” races to its usual lineup of horse racing, proclaiming “It’s a real zoo! Camel, Ostrich, and Zebra races!” Join the Animal Rights Coalition in protest of this event by signing this petition and sending a personal message to the racetrack that it's extremely unethical to use animals for entertainment.

For prey animals like zebras, ostriches, and camels, being straddled is akin to being pounced on by a predator. This causes fear, coupled with the stress of unfamiliar surroundings and crowds of people, prompting a frantic and unpredictable flight response that’s difficult to control. It’s dangerous not just to the animals but also to the riders, the handlers, and the public. Being ridden and raced stresses bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons, which can cause injuries such as sprains, dislocations, joint disease, breaks, and ultimately, deaths.

There is growing pushback against cruel animal displays and the public recognizes that these novelty ‘extreme’ races are heading in the wrong direction. Kind people don’t view animals as objects to be mocked or forced into submission. Businesses that fail to recognize that attitudes have changed are likely to lose customers. Concern about the cruelty in horse racing continues to mount, and tawdry, gimmicky sideshows just add to the public’s indignation. Tell Canterbury to stop racing wild, exotic, and domesticated animals.  

2024 Call to Action:

1. Sign the Petition.
2. Share the Petition on social media platforms
3. Tell Canterbury that racing exotic animals is extremely unethical:

Randall Sampson
CEO and President
Canterbury Park
cbypark@canterburypark.com
https://twitter.com/canterburypark
(952) 445-7223      

4. Join local Minnesotans at the protests:
Volunteer app - Animal Rights Coalition (volunteershift.com)