09/27/24 Veterinary Inspection: Horses' Suffering Unavoidable at Log Pulling Competitions!
Animal Friends Croatia praise the inspection’s decision not to consent to violation of the Animal Protection Act
- State Inspectorate protects horses from abuse; similar decision expected for the future
After Animal Friends Croatia filed a complaint to the State Inspectorate earlier this week regarding the advertised log pulling competition in Nova Lipovica in Požeško-slavonska County, the event was cancelled! Speaking through the media, the veterinary inspection declared they had refused to grant their consent “because the competition’s protocol described by the event organisers in their permit request failed to prove the possibility to avoid pain, suffering, injury or fear among horses, which constitute a breach of the provisions of the Animal Protection Act.” Animal Friends Croatia praise the decision, expecting the State Inspectorate will respond similarly to all future requests for horse use in log-pulling competitions!
“This decision shows the veterinary inspection recognises that no log pulling competition can ensure zero animal suffering because as soon as a horse is tied to a log of any size, it already experiences pain and stress. Since no log pulling competitions can be held without animal suffering, there is no regulation to allow for the notorious events without breaching the existing legislation,” emphasised Animal Friends Croatia.
They explained that the suffering starts already by tying the log to the horse as it cannot pull it without suffering. It is evident from any such competition that horses are forced to pull heavy logs causing them to often pause, stumble, buck, and strain to pull the weight while showing signs of exhaustion and restlessness. Pulling the bridle causes sharp pain in their mouths and jaws, while owners’ shouting and hand waving gives rise to the conditioned fear of beating, they received while they were brutally “trained” for the competitions by whipping and caning. Such horse treatment is not only a misdemeanour but also a criminal offence of animal torture, punishable by prison.
Animal Friends Croatia pointed out that, apart from the unavoidable animal suffering and abuse, the State Inspectorate should also be concerned by the fact that participants in log pulling competitions gain illegal profit by torturing animals: “Witnesses from the competitions have claimed that organisers charge five or more euros for entry, while betting carries on in tents with drinks and roasted animals on the spit, with winners taking away several thousand euro worth of gains. The winning horse is sold for several times its original purchase value. Thus, horse abusers make thousands of euros worth of profits!”
The group added that abusing horses in log pulling competitions, for profits and so-called fun, is not a traditional Croatian custom:” These events, apart from representing a breach of law, also contribute to illegal activities at great embarrassment for local communities and counties. Log pulling competitions are not part of a Croatian tradition, and it is the responsibility of local authorities not to allow them on their territory.”
The veterinary inspection’s decision to decline to grant permission for horse use at log pulling events is based on clear provisions stipulated by the Animal Protection Act which bans any force used on animals causing pain, suffering, fear, or injury. “We expect this correct decision by the veterinary inspection to be final and to be applied with regards to all future permission requests for log pulling competitions. In addition, the decision also reassures the public in knowing that relevant authorities do enforce existing laws and protect animals from abuse,” concluded Animal Friends Croatia.
