We were deeply grateful for the outpouring of compassion by you, In Defense of Animals’ amazing supporters, who took action for the rabbits abused during Tippah County Fair’s cruel “Rabbit Scramble.” Shocking images and video of children holding rabbits by the ears, necks, legs, and in any manner they could grip them moved nearly 70,000 people like you to sign our alert and another petition calling for the end of the abusive event featured at the fair in Ripley, Mississippi. Sadly it was not enough to stop the horror this year.

Organizers of the fair, the sheriff, known sponsors, and government officials from the Governor of Mississippi to the District Attorney, the Animal Board of Health, and other officials and agencies were called on to intervene, with little consequence. The Animal Board of Health did send material on the proper handling of rabbits and rabbit care, and children who caught a rabbit could chose to take the rabbit home or take another prize, but it is small comfort to the terrorized animals.

Organizers opened the event with a speech on the event’s 15-year “tradition” and assured fair-goers that despite the protest and all the bad publicity, the event would continue. The crowd was briefed on rabbit handling, parents were encouraged to aid young children and facilitators were present in the arena.

Despite the measures, the Daily Journal candidly reported several incidents of rabbit mishandling, including one man who dropped a rabbit three times, and another who dangled a rabbit by the throat. The terrified rabbits were then closed into shipping boxes with no ventilation.

Several veterinarians including Sharon L. Crowell-Davis DVM, PhD, DACVB, Professor of Behavioral Medicine of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia, and Dr. Elliot Katz, President emeritus of In Defense of Animals contacted fair organizers, calling for mercy.

Sadly, it is not just rabbits who are subjected to chase and capture during the fair’s “Farm Animal Scramble.” The “Chicken Scramble” offered prizes of $5 to capture a chicken and bring her to the circle in the center of the arena. A “Pig Scramble” followed. One little girl held a pig by his leg while he kicked and struggled to be free. The “Goat Scramble” was the same. One mother goat and her baby were separated as the mother fled, running with a clearly deformed or injured right rear foot. She wasn’t caught and her baby caught up to her for comfort when freed. The “Calf Scramble” was a repeat performance. One calf was pulled to the center of the arena by his tail and another who eluded capture clearly ran with some soreness to his leg.

It is important to know this background when assessing how to end “games” that locals think are fun and hold as tradition. Tippah County is also home to the Ripley “Trade and Sell Day”, known as “1^st Monday” as it is held the weekend prior to the first Monday of each month. It is a gigantic flea market type event with goods of all varieties, but sadly is also a place where hundreds if not a thousand animals are chained, crowed in crates, and jammed in pens for sell, trade, or given away for free.

Justice for Animals Campaign Director Doll Stanley’s mission in Mississippi began with her undercover work at the infamous Trade & Sell Day for which USDA licensed Class B animal dealers that buy and sell animals to laboratories and other animal exploiters lined their pockets buying dogs and cats illegally acquired at auctions, trader days, and in other nefarious manners, such as volunteering as animal control in communities with no shelters or funds for animal control. In Defense of Animals’ work led to the closing of two Mississippi dealers and aided with the closing of two other out-of-state dealers.

The fact is  that animal chase events are always inhumane by their very nature. Animals are not willing participants and are clearly frightened. Children in the younger age groups are baffled. Several children refused to touch the rabbits their parents caught for them – this is an exercise in desensitization to the needs of other sentient creatures. Law enforcement and state officials turned a blind eye to the event’s continued violation of MSSS 97-41-5, the statute that prohibits the cruel carrying of animals

Our coalition to respectfully see this event replaced with fun events like sack races, tug-of-war, relay races, and other fun family events even the little ones can comprehend and enjoy is growing.

We will never give up on the animals. As plans for this campaign are decided the coalition will be asking for input and sharing plans.

Please consider making a donation to fund our campaigns for animals: www.idausa.org/donate