Cottage Grove animal groups call rodeo event inhumane

Lindasue, for someone who claims to be a proponent of animals, you are the most uneducated, ignorant person that I have come across. None of what you say is true. These animals are not nearly as fragile as you suggest. No animals were harmed. I challenge you to provide any documentation to the contrary.

I just want to address the people who think that these rabbits were bred only for this event. These rabbits came from a commercial meat breeder who sells ALL of their babies to a meat truck to be butchered. So yes I do not agree with throwing the rabbits but my son got a goat from the rodeo 4 years ago and trust me he is the most spoiled thing and then 3 years ago he got a rabbit which we still have today that he is very responsible for and has since become a member of the American Rabbit Breeders Association and has become a 4-H member with his rabbit. So unfortunately I am sure a few of them may not end up with perfect homes but you are forgetting about the ones that will go to great loving homes. We were told over and over at the rodeo not to let our child participate if we were unable to take on the responsibility of a new pet. That it was not fair to the animal or our children. I know of numerous of kids who got some of the rabbits and they have all been to good homes. If the parents let their kids do this and are not willing to take on the responsibility then shame on the parents. You have people that get pets from shelters and do not follow through and take care of them even after they have paid adoption fees. When my son got his rabbit they provided us with food, care, and handling instructions. They also had rabbit homes available at the rodeo with food, water bottles, and treats in case you got a rabbit and did not have what it needed to take care of it. Again do not agree with the throwing or kicking of them but how many were saved from a guaranteed death on a meat truck and are in great homes???

The world is full of bullies too.

Not only are Oregon animal groups outraged at this barbaric display of animal cruelty; but people all over the world and this Cause is being networked all over facebook. I live in Florida and I would like to file an animal cruelty complaint on the Cottage Grove Riding Club for providing an event that resulted in a Grown Woman physically throwing a domestic rabbit several feet through the air causing the rabbit to hit the ground so hard that it created rolling while leaving the rabbit unable to move. This rabbit no doubt had either a broken back or broken bones. Domestic rabbits are a prey species, fragile and delicate creatures that are easily injured, easily die of fright and easily become sick from stress, they should be properly handled to ensure their safety. Throwing helpless domestic rabbits out of trucks, across yards, being chased by screaming children stepping on them or dropping them is deliberate and unnecessary animal cruelty. This barbaric practice is portrayed as Fun for children, an event that teaches disrespect and cruelty to animals and also contributes to the overpopulation of unwanted domestic rabbits dying in shelters, being thrown out into the wild to populate and suffer and die horribly. Giving unwanted animals away as "prizes" only results to the same. Please Demand this barbaric event is Stopped; animal cruelty charges are in Order! Respectfully, Linda Sue - Wildlife and Domestic Rabbit Rescue

Unacceptable!! Those rabbits have suffered horribly. I don't know how anyone can honestly say this is OK!! Not only is this animal cruelty and inhumane it is also setting a very bad if not cruel example to the children!!

Yes, I agree it is simply barbaric,and its' stupid entertainment...yah,yah whoopie

Please sign this petition to ban Animal Scrambles at all 34 Northwest Professional Rodeo Association's events: http://www.change.org/petitions/npra-ban-animal-scrambles-at-your-sanctioned-events

Dogman, You seem to have a little trouble with truth. You say I enjoy cruelty, you don't know me, and yet you accuse. Now what kind of person does that? I have never been to the CG rodeo, but I am sure there are a lot of nice people who attend the event. You seem to be a very bitter person and that is your right. Openmindedness requires rationalization, something that is a little short on this subject. Have a nice day.

THIS IS JUST PLAIN CRUEL AND WRONG. How would you feel if your 25-pound toddler was running around and being chased jumped on and grabbed by someone weighing 5 to 10 times their weight? Even if in "fun"? ABSOLUTELY unacceptable! R. Castillo, Spfringfield

Just unnacceptable, to breed something like Rabbits just for an "event" is ridiculous, These animals are timid and clearly terrified, also they are easily injured, why on earth someone would think its a good idea to allow children to chase, trample and catch these poor creatures "just for fun" is beyond me, teaching children that animals are here for pure entertainment is quite the cultural step back, they were put here for companionship, to learn from and to appreciate, and yeah sure to eat as well, but to torture them like this is pointless.