Nearly 70,000 of you took action for the rabbits, chickens, pigs, goats, and calves being abused at Tippah County Fair’s cruel “Farm Animal Scrambles” last year. Despite the outcry of caring people around the world, who viewed the shocking images and video of rabbits savagely dangled by their ears, choked around the neck and even dropped to the floor while children raced around the arena, the organizers went ahead again with this disgraceful animal abuse at the 2017 Tippah County Fair. We must demand they never do this again.

It’s 2017, and a coalition of groups that we're a part of is working to see this abusive event replaced with fun events that don't involve animals, like sack races, tug-of-war games, relay races, and other family events that even the little ones can comprehend and enjoy.

Organizers and sponsors of the fair, the sheriff, and government officials from the Governor of Mississippi, the District Attorney, and the Animal Board of Health have so-far failed to enforce MSSS 97-41-5, the statute that prohibits the cruel carrying of animals, and MSSS 97-41-1 which outlaws the tormenting of animals. Although the Animal Board of Health had sent materials on the proper handling of rabbits and rabbit care to the children who caught rabbits and chose to take them home last year, it has no enforcement powers, nor the will to intercede and protect animals.

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 DVM, Founder and President emeritus of In Defense of Animals contacted fair organizers citing physiological reasons why the rabbit scramble should be halted. Now it’s our turn to speak up and protect the rabbits and other animals subjected to scrambles.

What YOU Can Do

Make a couple of calls and sign our alert now to oppose animal cruelty, and promote humane education.

Please join us in POLITELY contacting the following officials to ask for their action to end all animal scrambles at the Tippah County Fair.

1) Please make a call to Jim Hood, Mississippi Attorney General: (662) 359-3680

You can simply say:

You have a responsibility to uphold Mississippi state statutes and to take the lead in putting an end to the Tippah County Fair “Farm Animal Scramble,” an event that is cruel to animals who are frightened and inhumanely handled during the event. This activity is prohibited under MSSS 97-41-1 :Cruelty to living creatures and MSSS 97-41-5: Carrying in a cruel manner.

2) Please send the Tippah County Board of Supervisors a message via free online fax: 6628371105

You can use text below or write something in your own words:

Members of the Board of Supervisors,

I respectfully request that you use your influence to help change the image and attendance of the Tippah County Fair by replacing the “Farm Animal Scrambles” with fun packed and memorable events like family sack racing, relay races, and tug of war games. These are events that children and their parents can enjoy together and reminisce on for years to come.

3) Please fill out the form on the right to send our letter to Mississippi State’s Tourism Agency, Visit Mississippi.