REGINA—National animal law organization Animal Justice is urging the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Canadian Football League (CFL) to drop a planned “mutton bustin'” event from their upcoming Prairie Proud Game halftime show on Friday, August 16. Mutton bustin’—where young children are placed on the backs of terrified sheep who try to “buck” them off as a form of entertainment—is a cruel practice that has no place in modern sports or celebrations.
“Mutton busting may seem like harmless fun, but it’s actually incredibly cruel,” said Camille Labchuk, lawyer and executive director of Animal Justice. “The sheep involved are subjected to unnecessary fear and distress, all for cheap kicks. Children cling to the back of sheep, holding tightly to their fleece, heads, and ears as the frightened animals try to free themselves. It’s a scary and stressful experience for the animals, and potentially dangerous for the children involved.”
Animal Justice is also concerned that mutton bustin’ may violate Saskatchewan’s animal welfare legislation, which prohibits causing distress to animals. The organization has informed the Regina Humane Society of potential violations of the Animal Protection Act which prohibits causing an animal distress outside of “reasonable and generally accepted practices of animal care.”
Because the mutton bustin’ event is for entertainment and serves no agricultural purpose whatsoever, Animal Justice has also advised Regina Police Service that may violate the Criminal Code, which forbids causing unnecessary pain, suffering, or injury to an animal.
“There are countless ways to celebrate prairie pride without resorting to animal cruelty. We’re calling on the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the CFL to rip cruelty out of their playbook and focus on entertainment that doesn’t involve exploiting animals,” Ms. Labchuk added. “Riderville can be a place where compassion and prairie pride go hand in hand.”
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Contact:
Camille Labchuk
Executive Director, Animal Justice
[email protected]
