Stop the Live Birth Exhibit at California State Fair
During the California State Fair, a pregnant cow escaped prior to the fair opening and was eventually shot and killed. The cow was part of the live birth exhibit in which heavily pregnant animals are transported from farms and forced to give birth in front of spectators.
Every year, thousands of cows, goats, sheep and pigs are transported during the last 10% of their pregnancy to be part of live birth exhibits at both county and state fairs. While supporters claim these offer educational insight on the "miracle of birth", there is no scientific study to support that claim. There is, however, ample evidence that the transport of heavily pregnant animals is damaging to the health and welfare of both mother and offspring. Further, cows and pigs prefer giving birth in solitude, not in public, yet they cannot escape gawking onlookers at the fair.
Pregnant sows (pigs) are confined in crates so small they cannot turn around. These farrowing crates severely restrict the sow's movement. Supporters claim this will prevent her from eating or crushing the piglets, yet somehow pigs on free-range operations and at sanctuaries manage to avoid doing this.
The welfare concerns of live birth exhibits significantly outweigh any educational value the public may have. The shooting death of the pregnant cow at the California State Fair only highlights the underlining issue, that pregnant animals should not be transported and put on display during the sensitive, stressful birthing process.
Tell the California State Fair Board that live birth exhibits have no place at the State Fair.
As a concerned resident, I am writing to encourage you to stop the live birth exhibits at the State Fair. The shooting death of a pregnant cow during the fair highlights the fundamental problems with the live birth exhibits.
Pregnant cows and pigs prefer giving birth in isolation, and that is not possible in the middle of an arena or inside a farrowing crate. Adding stress on top of an already stressful situation is not in the best interest of the animal.
While there may be some educational value to the exhibit, it does not trump the very real and much larger animal welfare and public safety concerns. Sensitive baby animals are exposed to the general public and, despite warnings, people, including children, touch and interact directly with the calves and piglets. This increases the risk of disease transfer.
Please end the live birth exhibits at the State Fair.
Respectfully,
