The town of El Sahúgo near Salamanca has been fined €1,502 for staging a bizarre “slippery pig” competition for local children, which courts ruled was “degrading to animals”.
During the competition, which took place on September 26th of last year, several small pigs were covered in grease and released for local children to chase.
El Ayuntamiento de El Sahúgo, multado por soltar en una fiesta cerdos untados en grasa – https://t.co/edtAA2PH77 pic.twitter.com/vX8z7YY2k3
— Republica.com (@Republica_com) April 5, 2016
The first child to catch a pig was awarded the top prize of getting to take the pig home.
Several animal rights organizations, including the National Association for the Protection and Wellbeing of Animals (ANPBA) and Spanish animal rights party Pacma, made a criminal complaint against the event to the regional government of Castille and León.
In the complaint, it was argued that using pigs, and other animals, in these kinds of festivities was illegal in the region, citing previous precedents in the provinces of Palencia, Zamora, Segovia and Salamanca, according to Europa Press.
While the fine was welcomed, Claudia Mañas, from Pacma, told The Local that it was simply not enough.
“Though it's important that these festivities are sanctioned, we can't be pleased, because this won't put an end to animal abuse,” she said.
“These kinds of festivities perpetuate the abuse by teaching kids that is right to treat an animal like that. The fine is quite insufficient.”
Pacma believes that despite receiving the fine, local councils will not be deterred from celebrating animal-based festivals.
“Councils will just pay the fine, even collect the money among the neighbors, and just keep on celebrating year after year. This proves that the law fails at deterring animal abuse.
“Laws should be hardened and reinforced in order to completely prevent the celebration of these festivities,” she added.
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