When Tradition trumps Common Sense

​worldanimalnews.com/more-than-200-chickens-are-about-to-be-tossed-from-rooftops-in-wisconsin-help-stop-appalling-event/

This article I found from World Animal News really does beg the question, when do we abandon traditions when we know they are wrong? This question is brought to you by Wisconsin United States where the annual Ridgeland Pioneer Days is celebrating its annual Free Chicken Fly where over 200 chickens are thrown from rooftops to a crowd that gathers below. 

Animal advocates and the Wisconsin Animal Law Associates have asserted that the chicken toss is a violation of the animal cruelty law, past district attorneys have stated that the chickens do not suffer unnecessary pain or suffering nor do they incur unjustifiable death. Now, is this coming from factual evidence or is this solely based on the protection of a tradition that is extremely questionable? I can tell you from an outside perspective that there is something seriously wrong with this. How can anyone argue that the chickens don't experience unnecessary suffering when they're being thrown from the rooftops of buildings to a cheering crowd below? 

These chickens are likely suffering emotional and mental distress from the moment they are brought up to the tops of these buildings as people scream and cheer below. They likely suffer emotional and mental distress as they are wound up to be thrown off the building and if they're not caught by the people below who participate, they likely suffer immense physical distress if they hit the ground.  Anyone in a right state of mind could not argue that these chickens don't suffer so it's my belief that whoever is defending this is only defending the tradition and neglecting the actual distress of the birds who are forced to participate.

When does animal cruelty trump tradition? Evidently, it rarely does and this is not the only case. When you look at bullfighting, calf roping at rodeos, horse drawn carriages etc., all of these things are rooted in tradition and despite repeated calls to have them banned by animal advocates, they continue to take place. There is absolutely no regard for these animals in these situations because these activities are tradition, part of place's heritage so to speak so they will defend it by any means despite the obvious issues surrounding the events.

It's absolutely ridiculous to defend any of these activities but the problem lies with the way we continue to see these animals as nothing more than farm animals. There is no recognition of their sentience, no recognition of their emotions or feelings because if there were, these events wouldn't be taking place at all.

As animal advocacy, veganism, and a general concern for animals continues to become more prevalent in our society, I don't see these activities continuing forever but there is no better time than the present to put an end to them. There is something so disturbing about wanting to see chickens thrown from rooftops. There is something so disturbing about watching a terrified calf flee for its life as someone riding a horse chases it down and ropes it aggressively pulling it to the ground. There is something disturbing about watching a bull fight for its life as it is repeatedly jabbed and prodded risking its life for our entertainment. We cannot continue to argue for tradition when our traditions are rooted in evil. There has to come a point where we evaluate what we are doing and look for less cruel options you know?

If you want to lend your voice to the end of the chicken toss, you can head to the original link at the top of this post from World Animal News and follow their instructions to help put an end to this atrocious tradition. They neglected to post the date for this event likely to avoid animal advocates knowing in advance to protest but it's reported it will take place mid February. Even if it commences, the more people who speak out against it the better!

HAPPY VEG