Animal rights activists say events at a pig festival in a small town in Quebec this weekend are cruel and should be stopped. Pig wrestling and a wild boar race are the two events causing the most controversy. The wrestling event features contestants in a muddy ring with a pig and gives them 90 seconds to try to catch the animal and put it in a barrel.
Small towns seek to attract tourists
The festival is in its 37th year and is one of many staged in small towns in the summer to try to attract tourists and boost local business. This one in Sainte- Perpétue is said to generate four million dollars in economic spin-offs.
Thousands sign petitions
Among those opposing the festival are the Canadians for the Ethical Treatment of Food Animals, the Humane Society International Canada, and a professional hockey player. More than 20,000 people have signed online petitions calling for an end to the wrestling match.
Veterinarians supervise events
Festival organizers say there is no need to worry about the animals and that events are supervised by veterinarians to ensure they are not hurt.
The town has placed signs around the festival grounds warning that protests will not be tolerated.
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