A 100 METRE steeplechase race involving 20 specially trained jumping pigs is being criticised by animal groups on welfare grounds. The controversial race will be a feature of the Clogher Valley Agricultural Show, which takes place in Augher, Co Tyrone, tomorrow.
The event organiser, Mr Walter Shortt, rejected the criticisms and said pigs enjoyed racing. "It's the most welfare friendly sport in the world. Some pigs go fast, some go slow. They go in their own time and run to the music. Pig racing is completely above board."
However, Mr Mark Ranson, scientific adviser on farm animals for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), said such events caused unnecessary stress to animals.
Often what you find with such events is that animals need an incentive to run down the track. We would ask how this will be accomplished and how high are the jumping steeples.
The RSPCA spokesman said animal transportation to and from the venue would also cause stress. "Pigs are highly social animals and separation from their groups causes stress. Potentially, any animal transportation causes problems," he said.
The pigs run in an enclosed course 100 metres long and jump over 12 inch high steeples. A veterinary surgeon will monitor tomorrow's race.
Mr Shortt said: "The pigs run of their own accord. There's no way anyone harms any animals; they do what they want. I believe they enjoy running and look forward to the races."
All competing animals are housed in specialised accommodation. "We have installed electric fans in their unit to give them proper ventilation. Each racing pig has its own water sprinkler to keep it cool," said Mr Shortt.
Mr John Tierney of Compassion in World Farming said the event would cause untold problems for the animals by subjecting them to a stressful environment.
The chief executive of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Mr Ciaran O'Donovan, also objected. "The ISFCA is totally opposed to pig racing. The animals will be exposed to large crowds of people cheering them on, which is not a suitable environment for farm animals."
He said the ISPCA did not object to greyhound and horse racing as the animals were traditionally bred for that purpose.