• Privacy policy
  • T&C’s
  • About Us
    • FAQ
    • Meet the Team
  • Contact us
TLE ONLINE SHOP!
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
SUPPORT THE LONDON ECONOMIC
NEWSLETTER
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Opinion
  • Elevenses
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Lifestyle
      • Horoscopes
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Thunderball
      • Set For Life
      • EuroMillions
  • Food
    • All Food
    • Recipes
  • Property
  • Travel
  • Tech/Auto
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
No Result
View All Result
Home Must Reads

Village sheep race axed after protesters claimed it was ‘terrifying’ for the animals

A village sheep race which features ‘jockeys’ tied to their backs has been axed after protesters claimed it was ‘terrifying’ for the animals. The annual contest sees 50 sheep run around a 70m grass track with stuffed toy jockeys on their backs. But it was cancelled after more than 40,000 people signed a petition which […]

Jack Peat by Jack Peat
2017-06-30 09:13
in Must Reads, Weird News
FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmailWhatsapp

A village sheep race which features ‘jockeys’ tied to their backs has been axed after protesters claimed it was ‘terrifying’ for the animals.

The annual contest sees 50 sheep run around a 70m grass track with stuffed toy jockeys on their backs.

But it was cancelled after more than 40,000 people signed a petition which calls for the tradition to be scrapped over concerns for the sheep’s welfare.

The fete in Woodditton, Cambs., was due to place on July 9 but has now been cancelled.

Samantha Francis, who lives locally, started the Care2 petition after seeing a road sign advertising this year’s event.

She said: “I was out last week and I saw this banner advertising the event which has a picture of the sheep racing on it.

“I was quite frankly horrified. I thought we had left using animals for entertainment in the dark ages.

RelatedPosts

Two ‘louts’ kicked Asian taxi driver to death after he asked them to stop eating food in cab

‘Girls smell better at 16 than at 28’: Tory council candidate’s shock remarks

Ironic: Council admits it ‘must try harder’ after misspelling ‘grammar’ on sign outside school

Callous thief stole homeless man’s guitar while he slept in shop doorway

“It’s unacceptable to treat animals in this way and even worse that it is at a family event as it gives children the wrong impression.

“When sheep run they are scared and on top of that they have to deal with large crowds clapping and cheering. It’s a terrifying ordeal for them.

“It’s completely demeaning and humiliating for the animals.”

*This is not the Woodditton annual fete race*

After seeing the advert on Saturday night, Samantha posted the petition online the following day.

Calling for supporters, she wrote: “On 9 July sheep, who are timid, nervous and easily frightened, will be made to race and jump along a race course, in the heat, with a teddy bear tied to their back, while a noisy crowd shout and cheer.

“This must be terrifying for them.

“There will also be a barbecue so they will also be able to smell the dead flesh of their fellow creatures being cooked.”

But within hours, the number of people signing the petition rocketed, and in just four days she reached 38,000 signatures.

More than 40,000 people have now backed Samantha – who is delighted to have learned the race has been cancelled.

*This is not the Woodditton annual fete race*

She said: “I was planning on presenting the petition to the vicar of the church where the event is due to take place on Sunday.

“But it’s all taken off so quickly that the organisers got wind of it before I had a chance to do that.

“I was jumping for joy when I heard the event had been cancelled, it’s wonderful to think I’ve made a difference.

“To stop an animal having to endure suffering is wonderful and the support I have had is fantastic.

“I hope it will encourage organisers of other events to consider whether it’s right using animals in this way.”

*This is not the Woodditton annual fete race*

Woodditton Parish Council agreed to cancel the race as it was “conscious of the need to treat animals with care”.

In a statement, a parish council spokesman said that in previous fetes “the races were organised and managed superbly and without incident by the professional shepherds”.

He added: “The sheep used were mature ewes, not in lamb, and did not carry ‘jockeys’ of course.

“The races were straight, with proper barriers and no hazards for the sheep.”

“We wouldn’t be involved in anything we remotely regarded as cruel.

“But clearly some people do have other views, which we understand.”

READ MORE 

Brewers fail to organise piss up in their brewery

Please login to join discussion

Subscribe to our Newsletter

View our  Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

Trending on TLE

  • All
  • trending
Abdollah

‘Rescue us’: Afghan teacher begs UK to help him escape Taliban

CHOMSKY: “If Corbyn had been elected, Britain would be pursuing a much more sane course”

What If We Got Rid Of Prisons?

More from TLE

Israel has started demolishing 70 Palestinian homes in east Jerusalem

EuroMillions Results for Friday 18 March 2022 Tonight’s winning numbers

Covid spending pushes deficit to highest levels since Second World War

Record Review: Michael Baker – Keys To The Kingdom

In pics – Liverpool arrive at Anfield ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash

Elevenses: Can Leopards Ever Change Their Spots?

Forgotten Film Friday: The Wackness

Home Office stripping people of British citizenship is ‘unlawful’, court rules

Football confederation hits back after Messi’s Copa America ‘corruption’ claims

Watch: PM appears to blame the public and media for his failings

About Us

TheLondonEconomic.com – Open, accessible and accountable news, sport, culture and lifestyle.

Read more

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.




No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • More…
    • Elevenses
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Tech & Auto
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

© 2019 thelondoneconomic.com - TLE, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN. All Rights Reserved.