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Pig swim deemed no sweat (PETA sez no race, vets say why not?)
RONNIE GLASSBERG, Charlotte Observer
9.12.03
CONCORD - Across town from Lowe's Motor Speedway, another track is under criticism because of concerns about the competitors' safety.
But a stress test proves the racing pigs can swim just fine, according to a local veterinarian.
Last week, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals raised a stink about Robinson's Racing Pigs and Pig Paddling Porkers at the Cabarrus County Fair, which runs through Saturday in Concord. Worried that stressed-out oinkers were in danger, the group filed a formal complaint with the county Sheriff's Office.
In the event, four miniature pot-bellied pigs -- with names like Soggy Bacon and Spamu (think Shamu, the whale at SeaWorld) -- race around a track, then through a 24-foot-long, 2-foot-deep pool in a kind of biathlon. The winner gobbles a large chunk of Oreo cookie; the losers get the crumbs.
Sheriff Brad Riley called in an expert. Before and after one such swim, veterinarian John Harroff examined the pigs' body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and other indicators.
"The pigs had no problem swimming in a relaxed manner," Harroff wrote in his report. "In my opinion, they thoroughly enjoyed their swim -- not to mention their Oreo cookie treat."
PETA had complained that pigs are not designed to swim and that their fragile lungs are prone to pneumonia.
"It's dangerous for them physically, and it's very clearly stressful for them," said Amy Rhodes, PETA's senior specialist on animals in entertainment. "It's something completely unnatural for them."
Robinson's Racing Pigs, based in Fort White, Fla., has raced pigs for 19 years on tracks, and the Cabarrus County Fair was one of the first events that booked them. The swimming pigs were first featured last year and have returned to this year's fair.
At the fair this week, hundreds gathered around the track to watch the races, which take place four or five times a day.
Each show follows the same pattern. First, four pigs race around the track. They've been clocked at up to 22 miles per hour.
Then Jimmy Longden, manager of their racing unit, closes off gates to split the track in half for another set of four pigs to race. The lap pool is in the middle.
The racers dart out of the gate and up a ramp to the pool. There, they hesitate.
"On the count of three, who's going to be first?" Longden asks, standing at the edge of the ramp. "You guys have to decide who's going to go first."
Suddenly, one pig leaps about halfway across the pool and splashes in. The other three quickly follow. They dog-paddle -- or pig-paddle, rather -- to the other side in about four seconds.
"I didn't know pigs could swim," said 8-year-old Kyle Deacon of Charlotte.
PETA also worried that the pigs would end up on someone's dinner plate, but experts say pot-bellied pigs aren't good to eat.
The animal rights group isn't likely to be reassured by the show's sponsorship: Concord restaurant Troutman's Bar-B-Q.
RONNIE GLASSBERG, Charlotte Observer
9.12.03
CONCORD - Across town from Lowe's Motor Speedway, another track is under criticism because of concerns about the competitors' safety.
But a stress test proves the racing pigs can swim just fine, according to a local veterinarian.
Last week, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals raised a stink about Robinson's Racing Pigs and Pig Paddling Porkers at the Cabarrus County Fair, which runs through Saturday in Concord. Worried that stressed-out oinkers were in danger, the group filed a formal complaint with the county Sheriff's Office.
In the event, four miniature pot-bellied pigs -- with names like Soggy Bacon and Spamu (think Shamu, the whale at SeaWorld) -- race around a track, then through a 24-foot-long, 2-foot-deep pool in a kind of biathlon. The winner gobbles a large chunk of Oreo cookie; the losers get the crumbs.
Sheriff Brad Riley called in an expert. Before and after one such swim, veterinarian John Harroff examined the pigs' body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and other indicators.
"The pigs had no problem swimming in a relaxed manner," Harroff wrote in his report. "In my opinion, they thoroughly enjoyed their swim -- not to mention their Oreo cookie treat."
PETA had complained that pigs are not designed to swim and that their fragile lungs are prone to pneumonia.
"It's dangerous for them physically, and it's very clearly stressful for them," said Amy Rhodes, PETA's senior specialist on animals in entertainment. "It's something completely unnatural for them."
Robinson's Racing Pigs, based in Fort White, Fla., has raced pigs for 19 years on tracks, and the Cabarrus County Fair was one of the first events that booked them. The swimming pigs were first featured last year and have returned to this year's fair.
At the fair this week, hundreds gathered around the track to watch the races, which take place four or five times a day.
Each show follows the same pattern. First, four pigs race around the track. They've been clocked at up to 22 miles per hour.
Then Jimmy Longden, manager of their racing unit, closes off gates to split the track in half for another set of four pigs to race. The lap pool is in the middle.
The racers dart out of the gate and up a ramp to the pool. There, they hesitate.
"On the count of three, who's going to be first?" Longden asks, standing at the edge of the ramp. "You guys have to decide who's going to go first."
Suddenly, one pig leaps about halfway across the pool and splashes in. The other three quickly follow. They dog-paddle -- or pig-paddle, rather -- to the other side in about four seconds.
"I didn't know pigs could swim," said 8-year-old Kyle Deacon of Charlotte.
PETA also worried that the pigs would end up on someone's dinner plate, but experts say pot-bellied pigs aren't good to eat.
The animal rights group isn't likely to be reassured by the show's sponsorship: Concord restaurant Troutman's Bar-B-Q.
