How is kids jumping on pigs any different from adults jumping on cows and horses? Don't tell me that cows enjoy being lassoed and tied up and horses enjoy being broken and trained.

If it were dogs, the nation would be pounding down the doors of Woodside, demanding it be stopped.
Yes it was a tradition. So were a lot of terrible things this society has evolved away from.

Parents who don't "get" the concept that "pig scramble" is animal abuse should examine their fitness for parenthood. "Tradition" is as "tradition" does. Think about it, mom 'n' dad...

Just for the record, an on-line petition to ban the "scrambles" (sponsored by ANIMAL PLACE) collected more than 26,000 (yes, THOUSAND) signatures in only about three weeks. People DO care. Add to that, more than two dozen local veterinarians signed a statement in support of banning the scrambles, and the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA is strongly opposed to this cruelty, as is Pope Francis (see his 2014 Encyclical on Climate Change).

As noted above, the annual Rowell Ranch Rodeo in Castro Valley (May 20-21) has banned ALL such "scrambles" since 1987, yet the rodeo continues to thrive. Woodside should follow suit. Indeed, a San Mateo County-wide ordinance is called for, perhaps sponsored by the Peninsula Society & SPCA.

For most animals, rodeo is merely a detour en route to the slaughterhouse. Must we therefore torment and terrorize them before we eat them, and all for the most trivial of reasons, mere "entertainment"? The pigs (and we) deserve better.

And what a terrible message to send to impressionable young children about the proper treatment of animals! The scrambles are likely a violation of our State Education Code 60042, which mandates that "humane education and kindness to animals" be taught in the public schools, K-12. Woodside school teachers and parents need to speak up. It's only a matter of time before some kid gets a pig's hoof in the eye.

And consider the following, from world-renowned animal behaviorist, Dr. Temple Grandin (herself autistic, giving her some rare insights): "In assessing criteria for suffering, psychological stress--which is fear stress--should be considered as important as suffering induced by pain."

Lastly, simple "tradition" justifies nothing. I'm from the South, where slavery, dogfighting and worse were "traditional" for years. Some "traditions" deserve to die, and the "pig scramble" is one of them. In these Trumpian Dark Days, surely the need for a little kindness in the world is greater than ever, for humans and non-humans alike.

WOODSIDE TOWN COUNCIL - The world is watching, and expecting you to "do the right thing" by these abused baby pigs and exploited children.

As playwright Tennessee Williams once wrote, "Cruelty is the only unforgivable sin." ("Night of the Iguana")

EMAIL: Mayor Tom Livermore and the Woodside Town Council: [email protected]

Kind regards,

Eric Mills, coordinator
ACTION FOR ANIMALS
Oakland
email - [email protected]

Captain Aenlle writes: "Our country recognizes that cultural rights are an integral part of human rights. At the Mounted Patrol, we are men of principles and hold closely to not only our heritage, but to the protected rights afforded by the country we live in. For this reason, we stand together on this issue." Surely Woodside has better cultural traditions than teaching children to drag, drop, chase, and terrify piglets?

I have written in this forum before about the terror my children and children around us experienced when we watched Woodside pig scramble during 4th of July Rodeo. Kids who were not participating in the pig scramble were in tears begging their parents to help the piglets who were getting chased, dragged, kicked, running terrified and hiding under their trailers only to be dragged out by "patriotic" men of Mounted Patrol.

Lets hope that tonight is the night Woodside ends the exploitation of baby animals in the name of entertainment and closes a shameful chapter in Woodside history.

This is awful! The pig scramble needs to be banned ASAP!

SeaWorld Orca Show: GONE for good reason
Barnum and Bailey Circus: GONE for good reason
Woodside Pig Scramble: ????

Join the era of enlightenment. Vote with your feet and your pocketbook. Boycott the July 4th Woodside Rodeo if there's a Pig Scramble. The Mounted Patrol will get the message loud and clear.

March 28, 2017 - midnight

Put on your black arm bands, folks. As expected, the Woodside Town Council tonight sold out the pigs and their constituents, deciding, in their wisdom, TO TAKE NO ACTION on the "scrambles." This despite the fact that there was OVERWHELMING support for the ban: Some 20-25 people spoke up for the pigs, often quite eloquently (including three children), all to no avail. Plus more than 25,000 signatures on an on-line petition in support of the ban.

Inexcusably, THREE of the Council's SEVEN members recused themselves due to supposed "conflicts of interest." One member's excuse was that she "lived next door to the Mounted Patrol grounds." SO?? Even if they didn't vote, they ALL should have been required to stay and hear all the testimony.

Only TWO people spoke up for the status quo: Mt. Patrol Captain Victor Aenlle (who claims there's NO cruelty involved; I guess one sees what one wants to see). And one other person, also a Patrol member, but who spoke as a private citizen. Ugh. Mayor Livermore noted that his daughter had taken part in the scrambles, and was challenged from the audience: "Then why don't YOU recuse yourself?" Good question. Mayor Livermore then opined that it was the duty of the State Legislature to resolve this matter, not the Woodside Town Council. Yeah, it's called PASSING THE BUCK. A shameful display of political and ethical cowardice, and the council needs to hear from everyone. This cannot stand.

EMAIL - [email protected] People should also be writing letters to the local papers: THE ALMANAC, THE POST, SAN MATEO TIMES, et al.
Maybe time, too, to be considering boycotts of businesses who support the rodeo and/or advertise in the rodeo program. Talk to local business owners, asking them to pressure the Council to do the right thing. Money talks.

Principal Bob Sherman and the teachers at Woodside Elementary also need to hear from the locals. The "scrambles" are a violation of State Education Code 60042, which mandates that "humane education and kindness to animals" be taught in the public schools, K-12. Let them hear from you! Maybe a picket line would get their attention....

Meanwhile, BOYCOTT THE RODEO until these baby pigs get the justice they deserve: WOODSIDE'S SHAME. The pigs and the public both deserve better.

Can't Woodside do better than this Mt. Patrol Captain Victor Aenlle guy? This person is clearly a cipher and a throwback to a far less enlightened time, as are the Woodside council members, apparently. Time for the good citizens of Woodside to clean house.

I suspect there will be some signs picketing the rodeo this July 4Reminding parents that chasing baby pigs around is cruel. Great publicity for the rodeo. I think what a nice message it would send if they switched from a baby pig Chase to a giant pig petting zoo.

That will be a win-win.

With the kids really want is a chance to interact with the pigs. That can be done in a gentle way and everyone's happy.