During last nights Western Days Carnival in Elgin, Texas, rabbits and puppies were offered as booth prizes to attendees. We implored the carnival owners to commit to ending this irresponsible and inhumane practice today!
According to the American animals rights organization PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), the fate of goldfish, rabbits, hermit crabs, iguanas, and other animals who are given away as prizes or as promotional gimmicks in ping-pong, ring toss, and other games is often grim. " In a similar recent mall givaway, Animal Humane Society executive director said, "Mistreating and giving away sentient, living animals – as if they were cheap toys – seems practically medieval in this day and age," Dorson said. "Stuffed animals or any other number of prizes are sensible, easy substitutions for live animals in every one of these cases."
As a community, I think we all enjoy the carnival and it's friendly staff, but this practice must stop.
But by paying money for the game and taking home unexpected dog or bunny "prizes," kids and their parents are creating more demand for an industry that has everything but the animals' well-being as a priority. Because of this, many states and localities have enacted laws to ban giving certain animals as prizes and some states prohibit awarding any type of animal as a prize. This does not seem to be the case in Texas.
Sign this petition to urged the carnival to take immediate action and provide a written statement safeguarding the health and wellbeing of the animals currently at the carnival.
***UPDATE: Once brought to the city's attention, Elgin took swift action. Animal control notified the carnival vendor that there is a city ordinance in place which prohibits the give away of animals on city land - although several members of the community commented that the use of bunnies as prizes has occurred at past carnivals and during other city festivals in past years.
The city animal control inspected the animals, but it looks like the city can't do more to safeguard the animals welfare. At this point it is up to us, the public, to continue to speak up and make change happen, in our city and especially considering Texas' lack of laws to protect animals in this situation.
As for safeguarding the safety of the animals that were brought for our fair? We as the public must contact the carnival vendor and ask: What are the next steps? How can they assure us that these animals will be cared for and will not end up given away as prizes at their next fair? Will they continue this practice? That is where I believe our city can make a big impact: It seems essential that the city let the vendor know that they will not support their business if they continue this practice. What do you think? Call and email to the City and Chamber or Commerce and let them know how you feel.
