An interesting and significant development pertaining to an anti-pig wrestling petition aimed at Grant County, IN just happened. The petitioner contacted the Indiana 4-H Headquarters at Purdue University, and with regards to pig wrestling, this is their official response: "I wanted to let you know that I received your email below from our Indiana 4-H website and I wanted to be certain you understand the 4-H Program’s position on events of this nature. The purpose of Indiana 4-H Youth Development is to provide education to our 4-H members, their families, and the general public. In all of our animal-oriented programming, we strive to teach youth to raise and treat animals in ways that are consistent with responsible care. Pig wrestling (as sport or entertainment) is not consistent with what we teach in 4-H. Thus, we want to be explicitly clear that pig wrestling is not an activity endorsed in any way by the Indiana 4-H Program. Even if it is not directly associated with our 4-H members or 4-H volunteers, the organization of such events in conjunction with a 4-H Fair makes it very difficult for members of the general public to make this distinction." Perhaps it's time for 4-Hers to reconsider their support and/or apathy towards holding their fair at a venue that allows this kind of "entertainment", including the Whitley County Community fairgrounds. Dubois County also has an ordinance regarding animal cruelty, though it is less specific — Ordinance 1993-8 makes it illegal to “cruelly treat or neglect a domesticated animal,” which includes “inhuman beating.” Ken Eck, Purdue Extension educator for Dubois County, said the event was canceled in 2014 because 4-H is trying to teach Youth Pork Quality Assurance — “the food safety, antibiotic use and animal well-being awareness and education program for youth pork producers ages 8 to 19,” as described by pork.org. Eck said those who are involved in 4-H should be shown how to care for animals in a way that follows these guidelines. “It’s just proper industry handling,” Eck said. Eck also said 4-H officials don’t want students or animals being harmed. Pig wrestling isn’t congruous with the values 4-H is trying to teach youth, he said. Whitley County has an ordinance banning such activities also, however Mayor Daniel and the counsel do not see this activity as harmful. The ordinance (which you can read here: http://www.columbiacity.net/pdf/new%20ordinances/ANIMAL%20ORD%202014-1_201403131125.pdf clearly states in section 90.03-E "Every owner or his or her agent residing within the corporate limites of the city shall see that each of his or her animals (E) Is not beaten, ill-treated, overloaded, over-worked, tormented, or otherwise abused or neglected, or involved in a dog fight, cockfight, bullfight or ANY OTHER COMBAT BETWEEN ANIMALS AND HUMANS" We do not see how this is subject to interpretation. In the June 10th edition of the Post & Mail, the city counsel states "The term combat is up to interpretation. The counsel determined that the intent of the ordinance is not for events like pig wrestling, but other situations like dog fighting and cockfighting." We don't see a difference. Please consider writing to the Columbia City Mayor at e-mail rdaniel@columbiacity.net or call his office at 260-248-5111 and ask for this ordinance to be upheld. Please consider calling the Whitley County 4H Extension Office at 260-244-7615 and ask for them to cancel this event, as it does not go in line with 4H values.