PENNSYLVANIA FAIR CANCELS PIG TERROR EVENT

Positive Step for Animals and Local Who Campaigns to Protect Them

Contact: Lisa Levinson, media@idausa.org, 215-620-2130

Video: https://youtu.be/nJBEfhj_cWM

Ephrata, Pennsylvania (August 31, 2016) - International animal protection organization In Defense of Animals is celebrating a big step forward for animals in Pennsylvania with a local activist leading the campaign to end a violent animal event, after the Ephrata Fair announced yesterday that it has suspended its cruel pig and rooster chases.

The pig chase at the Ephrata Fair comprises organizers greasing up pigs, putting them in a field and encouraging dozens of screaming children and adults to chase, grab and slam terrified pigs to the ground. Whoever grabs the pig and carries her back to a crate receives a trophy. These events last for several hours and the same scared pigs are abused over and over again. The sensitive, intelligent, loving animals instinctively fear being chased by predators. Tormented individuals end up covered in cuts, scrapes, and internal injuries by the end of the Ephrata Fair pig chase event.

Ephrata Fair has been holding this cruel ‘entertainment’ for over 39 years, and an equally outdated rooster chase event. It calls the animal abusing spectacle a “family fun event.”

The Board of Directors of the Ephrata Farmer’s Day Association released a statement yesterday announcing that it has “decided to suspend the annual Pig and Rooser Chase at Tent City”, citing the disruption to last year’s pig chase, ongoing attention throughout the year and concerns of disruption at this year’s event.

Animal activist Kelly Lehman was arrested at the fair last year for her efforts to stop fair-goers from abusing animals at the Ephrata pig chase. She has welcomed the news and is calling for a permanent ban, “This is a fantastic step in the right direction by the Ephrata Fair, but a permanent ban on animal chase events is needed to protect animals. We will continue our campaign until animals are never terrorized or abused at the Ephrata Fair again.”

Almost 10,000 In Defense of Animals supporters demanded a complete end to the violent animal events at the Ephrata Fair earlier this month. “We welcome the Ephrata Fair’s decision not to abuse animals for fun this year,” said the organization’s President, Dr. Marilyn Kroplick. “For the sake of the animals who are physically and emotionally abused, and children who are sent a damaging message by the event, we call on fair organizers to turn the suspension into a permanent ban.”

In Defense of Animals supports local activists as part of its Sustainable Activism campaign. “We applaud Pennsylvania local Kelly Lehman for campaigning for basic respect and compassion for animals,” said Dr. Kroplick. “Please speak out for animals wherever you see them mistreated.”

In Defense of Animals runs a mentor line for everyone who campaigns for animals: www.idausa.org/mentor

### NOTES ###

In Defense of Animals alert on the Ephrata Fair, signed by 9,748 people https://secure2.convio.net/ida/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2938

Full statement from the Board of Directors of the Ephrata Farmer’s Day Association:

Sadly, after 39 years, the Board of Directors of the Ephrata Farmer’s Day Association, has decided to suspend the annual Pig and Rooster Chase at Tent City. Many are aware of the disruption to last year’s Pig Chase which resulted in the arrest of one individual. Unfortunately, the disruption has continued throughout the past year, escalating to the point where the safety of participants and attendees to this longstanding tradition is a very real concern, leaving fair organizers with little choice other than to suspend the event.

The mission of the Ephrata Fair is to educate attendees about the importance of agriculture while providing a safe and fun environment for the entire family. In light of the anticipated disruption level, the Ephrata Farmer’s Day Association has decided, in the interest of public safety, to suspend the Pig and Rooster Chase.

The Ephrata Farmers Day Association realizes there will be many disappointed by the decision and hope fair attendees will understand the cancellation is out of concern for public safety.

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In Defense of Animals’ Sustainable Activism Campaign supports activists in the field who prevent animal cruelty and promote compassion for all living beings, while providing self-care tools and emotional resources.

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 30-year history of protecting animals’ rights, welfare and habitats through education, campaigns and hands on rescue facilities in India, Africa, and rural Mississippi.