Animal scrambles: Traditional fun or animal cruelty?

OREGON -- In Oregon, a legislative work group will try to sort out some kind of regulation for the events, where rabbits, chickens or small animals are turned loose in an arena to be chased and caught by young children, who then take them home as pets.

The effort is led by Rep. David Gomberg, D-Central coast, who was spurred to action by a rabbit scramble held in Lane County.

"You can imagine the kind of entertainment, if I could use that phrase at all, that might ensue from the activities in the arena, and the kind of injuries that might result to both the animals and the children," Gomberg recently told a House committee.

This black and white rabbit appears injured; she kicks it out of the way

After dragging a terrified rabbit out from under the trailer, she flings it

No where to hide, they move the trailer and leave the rabbits exposed

"In the weeks that followed, most of the animals, the majority of the animals ended up in shelters," Gomberg said. "There was also some evidence a number of them were cut loose, resulting in feral colonies of animals in the area."

Gomberg was surprised by opposition to a bill he introduced to address the issue.

House Bill 2641 would require that a minimum level of care be provided to an animal before it's awarded as a prize.

It would ensure that the animal is not chased, kicked or otherwise subjected to offensive physical contact.

 

 

With dozens of kids running and falling and grabbing at the rabbits,
it's not crazy to think that some of these rabbits will suffer injuries - from
being stepped on, grabbed, squeezed and fought over.

And it would allow a winner up to six months to return an animal given as a prize.

Glenn Kolb, executive director of the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association, told the committee it would be extremely difficult for vets to certify the quality of care given before an examination.

Jim Welsh, political advocate for the Oregon Cattlemen's Association, said the bill flies in the face of tradition.

"We do not want to infringe on rodeo events," Welsh said.

Sen. Doug Whitsett, R-Klamath Falls, testified that, in his 30 years as a veterinarian, he has never seen a problem with animal scrambles.

"If the purpose is to curtail traditional events at county fairs and rodeos, this bill is a solution in search of a problem," Whitsett said.

Committee members weighed in with their own experiences:

"I'm having this visual picture of my 6-year-old daughter at the La Pine Rodeo, when they were doing a scramble, she caught a goose, and she wrestled it all the way across the arena at great peril to herself," said Rep. Caddie McKeown, D-Coos Bay. "She was bruised and battered and the best thing that happened is she got to the gate and it got away. And I didn't have to bring it home in my car."

"I took my rabbit home and ate it," said Rep. Wayne Krieger, R-Gold Beach.

Rabbit Scramble Event - South Douglas Rodeo

Gomberg said he's open to any changes to the bill that will satisfy all the parties.

"I'm not looking at a slippery slope," he said. "I'm simply trying to deal with responsible pet ownership and preventing injuries to these animals during the competition."

The work group will consider several proposed amendments to the bill before bringing it back to the committee.

(Statesman Journal - ‎Feb 25, 2015‎)

Earlier:

• Bad To Chase Bunnies at the Rodeo?

Video of the "Rabbit Scamble" at the Cottage Grove rodeo