The Winnipeg Humane Society, Brandon Humane Society, and animal law organization Animal Justice, are calling on the organizers of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair to immediately discontinue their scheduled pig and calf scrambles. 

Scramble events provide no agricultural or educational purpose to the fair, and intentionally subject young animals to unnecessary distress, fear and possible injury. Animal scrambles like the ones held at the Fair, see young calves and pigs placed in a brightly lit, enclosed arena where they are rushed upon by children and youth. Attempts to chase, grab, tackle and and pull at the young animals are made part of the spectacle, reinforcing to youth that it is ok subject livestock to stressful situations for human amusement. 

Manitoba’s Animal Care Act prohibits inflicting upon an animal “acute suffering, serious injury or harm, or extreme anxiety or distress that significantly impairs its health or well-being.” An exemption is provided for agricultural practices and fairs so long as the activity conducted is 'consistent with generally accepted practices.'  Calf and pig scrambles are no longer viewed as generally accepted practices by the industry nor the general public, as fairs across southern Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and PEI have prohibited scramble events based on animal welfare concerns. It is time for Manitoba to join countless other municipalities and stand up for the welfare of some of our province's most vulnerable animals. 

Please join us in demanding the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair discontinue their calf and pig scramble events. Sign and share our petition, and submit your concerns to the organizers of the fair at: info@provincialex.com 

Thank you for helping us stand up for Manitoba's animals.