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BRANDON\u2014The Royal Manitoba Winter Fair (RMWF) is set to hold its controversial calf scramble again in 2025, despite a clear recommendation from Manitoba\u2019s Chief Veterinary Office (CVO) to reconsider whether the event aligns with modern animal welfare standards. The event\u2014where teens and young adults chase, grab, and wrestle young animals in a loud arena\u2014has long drawn criticism for causing distress and fear to the animals involved.<\/p>\n
A March 2024 letter to RMWF organizers, obtained by Animal Justice through a Freedom of Information request, reveals the CVO urged the Fair to \u201ccarefully assess\u201d whether the calf scramble aligns with current animal welfare standards and its own mission. While the CVO stopped short of enforcement action, the letter makes clear that provincial authorities believe the event warrants serious scrutiny.<\/p>\n
\u201cI find it heartbreaking to think that terrifying animals is a form of entertainment. Have we not moved past this cruelty? Is this the message we want to send our youth?\u00a0Is kindness and respect not a better message? Our kids and our animals deserve so much better.\u00a0 We all do. So please let\u2019s do better, and let\u2019s be better,\u201d said Tracy Munn executive director at the Brandon Humane Society<\/p>\n
Despite the CVO\u2019s urgings, organizers have doubled down, once again including the calf scramble in this year\u2019s lineup. In response, Animal Justice and the Winnipeg Humane Society (WHS) have filed a formal complaint to the CVO, urging the Fair and law enforcement authorities to cancel the scramble. The groups argue that the event is cruel, outdated, and likely violates Manitoba\u2019s Animal Care Act.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Animal Care Act is clear: It\u2019s illegal to cause distress and suffering to animals in the name of entertainment,\u201d said Kaitlyn Mitchell, Winnipeg-based lawyer and director of legal advocacy with Animal Justice. \u201cThe Royal Manitoba Winter Fair is not above the law.\u00a0 Instead of merely asking the Fair to reconsider these events, it is our hope that law enforcement authorities will do the right thing and ensure these cruel and outdated events end for good.\u201d<\/p>\n
In past years, the Fair included pig and calf scrambles and \u201cmutton bustin,\u201d where terrified young animals are chased, wrestled, and grabbed by children or young adults. After Animal Justice and the WHS filed complaints with law enforcement in 2022 and hundreds of concerned citizens demanded action, the Fair cancelled these events and replaced them with more humane, child-friendly alternatives.<\/p>\n
However, the Fair reintroduced the calf scramble in 2024, rebranding it as the \u201cbarnyard challenge,\u201d a term that continues to be used this year, obscuring its true nature.\u00a0Video<\/a>\u00a0from last year\u2019s event makes it clear: the event is effectively unchanged despite the rebrand, with terrified calves fleeing as teenagers and young adults chase, grab, and tackle them in a loud, chaotic arena in a frantic effort to forcefully remove a halter from the animals.<\/p>\n WHS and Animal Justice are calling on the public to contact the Fair\u2019s organizers and encourage them to cancel the planned scramble events.\u00a0 Welfare concerns have led fairs in\u00a0Ontario<\/a>,\u00a0Prince Edward Island<\/a>,\u00a0Nova Scotia<\/a>, and\u00a0New Brunswick<\/a>\u00a0to end their animal scrambles.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe are extremely disheartened to see the RMWF proceed with this unethical form of \u2018entertainment.\u2019 We implore the public to take a stand\u2014not only with their voice but also by directing their time and money to events that are not at the expense of an animal\u2019s well-being,\u201d said Krista Boryskavich, director of animal advocacy and legal and government affairs for the WHS, adding the organization has made multiple efforts to engage with Fair event organizers to explore alternative, humane options with no response.<\/p>\n Additional records obtained through freedom of information requests following last year\u2019s event also reveal troubling conditions at the RMWF\u2019s petting zoo. These included unattended children handling and dropping animals, inadequate biosecurity measures to prevent disease spread, and animals on display in poor condition.<\/p>\n Contact:<\/p>\n Josh Lynn Kaitlyn Mitchell Carly Peters Tracy Munn
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Public Relations Manager
[email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n
Director of Legal Advocacy
[email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n
Director of Communications and Marketing
Winnipeg Humane Society
[email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n
Director, Brandon Humane Society
[email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n