poohbah,
As far as the reporting is concerned, it was a local story. The Gazette was covering events at the county fair. Most likely it was meant to highlight one of the many activities at the fair last week. The Gazette has covered stories around the area regarding individuals accused of animal cruelty (Aug 18 2010) (May 11 2011).

Sandman, where else? anywhere else no one except a few fanatics would be yammering for days about this. Have you ever lived anywhere else out of this state to realize how uptight Janesville is? Janesville has more rules and regulations and uptight people than anywhere I have lived. I like Janesville don't get me wrong there, just saying people are wound pretty tight here for the most part.

Well, this is just silly. These sheep were very well taken care of during this event. They were NOT suffering, and poobah just loves to "stir the pot". Don't bother trying to "retread" THAT old tired tire...
The little ones had a blast. What a great way to spend a few hours at the fair!

Just remember, what counts for "great family entertainment" here in Janesville, Rock County, WI, might not be put in the same category somewhere (most anywhere?) else.

So Janesville is "above" such events?
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4...

just one example on cbs news a mutton bustn' company looking at giving out a national $50,000 scholarship, but Janesburg just might be too high brow for that (insert sarcasm)

a quick google search of mutton bustn' shows cities much larger and prosperous than Janesville having large turn outs for just such an event.

Just remember, what counts for "great family entertainment" here in Janesville, Rock County, WI, might not be put in the same category somewhere (most anywhere?) else.

See also "Free-Dumb" Fest and Redneck Fest for other events to be "proud of" here in J-burg, USA - and let's certainly not forget the (un)Fair's (and unfun) overeating contests for kids.

SAL-lute, you Hee-Hawin', G-droppin' loco yokels, SAL-lute!

FYI ... the covering on the sheep is referred to as wool or sometimes as fleece ... not Fur. As in "its fleece was white as snow". There is more inhumane treatment of animals in the big factory farms than happened to those sheep. By the way, that stuff you are buying wrapped up nicely in cellophane in the grocery store likely came from one of those factory farms. So I agree with posters that basically are saying do not be crying animal abuse with limited knowledge of it and without true knowledge of the life of the animals you are eating. Love these people that like to pick and choose ....Not.

I take your silence as a flat out "yes"

So, poobah, if I called you such things on this site, would you be hurt?

So Poohbah,
If the "legitimate human need" does not measure up to you individual standards then, any action would be considered animal abuse? Am I correct in my translation?

That falls far short from calling a person a hateful name and you know it. Keep searching, Syd.

"I want one example of where I called anyone a hateful name"...ummm hello poob, just in this forum you called spectators enjoying the County Fair 'cheering idiots' & 'cheering maniacs'. Sorry, but where I come from, that's just not nice.

Maybe the little kids could ride little people next year? Take the animal abuse out of the equation but still have some entertainment value. I can see it now...

Yes, kkrrjj, those are all examples of animal abuse. There was no legitimate human need other than entertainment, bragging rights, investment, etc. for you to be dragging horses around the country in trailers and doing the things you mentioned. You should have no more right to do those things to an animal than you do to a human being.

mgcarguy - @ 9:12 - HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! LMBO!!!!! Thanks for the morning hoot!

sydhunt said, "Sorry poob, but any valid argument you make on this subject flies out the window with your hateful name calling."
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I'm calling you on this one, Syd. I want one example of where I called anyone a hateful name. Just one. You can check all 1100+ of my posts if you wish...

I have been commenting on the bull riding article as well - but Poobah from what I read it is abuse to... put an animal in a trailer haul it for any length of time, force it to do something against it's will. Leave it in the sun, not have water/food in front of it at all times (Did I sum that up correctly?)
Not only did I show horses this past week end (breaking all of your guidelines) but earlier this spring put a couple of horses in a trailer, hauled to S. MO and trail rode them everyday up and down the mountains, 5 -7 hours a day in 90+ heat
Is this abuse as well?
The life of the rodeo animals that were at the fair is much much easier than a horse that lives in my backyard. So you are saying I also am abusing my animals?
You are entirely correct that there is abuse in ALL aspects of the animal show world - should it all be put to a stop because of a few bad apples - put your energy to targeting the true abusers - don't paint entire industries, with your rhetoric

all of this over some little kid riding a lamb.

Sorry poob, but any valid argument you make on this subject flies out the window with your hateful name calling. You should focus your energy on the proper treatment of animals instead of bashing your fellow man/woman.

Mzat74, it was not a national (as in nationwide) program until Nixon made it so in the year I cited.

Poobah... horses are transported all the time in the back of trailers. They have blinders on and I am wondering if this is some sort of abuse that you can complain about also. Before these modern coneyences of animals people had to ride them or have cattle drives. I',m betting some of them died on the way. Lack of good water and all. Abuse? or just the way it is.

Poobah,
I think your fact are a little off. The food stamp act became legislation in 1964 and was reformed in 1970. In 1973 reforms secured it as an entitlement program. (Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. History, found on answers.com website)

I think the sheep are happy. I had a rare chance to hear one at the fair. She said, and I quote, " poo baa, baa, baa, baa, poo on you."

Sounds alot like riding the subway in Chicago !

frusion, do you think the sheep are happy being herded up, forced into trucks or containers in high heat to be transported who knows how many miles, probably without water. Then released into an arena with hundreds if not thousands of cheering maniacs only to have a 65 pound kid thrown on their backs, pulling on their fur. Do you think that is natural? Do you think that causes the sheep anxiety or distress? You are the one who knows nothing about animals.

PooBah, sorry but if you knew anything about sheep you would know that if the sheep was being hurt or abused, it would be biting and kcking the riders. That is not happening and you are incorrect with your opinion.

You're thinking is as slippery as your name, slippery one. I am against the abuse of animals for the sole purpose of entertainment of people. That in no way precludes eating meat or using leather products. Animals deserve to be treated humanely -- be it free range or other guidelines like the EU is beginning to implement. It's people like you who tolerate animal abuse that love to bring up the smoke screen that people who do not tolerate animal abuse must be hypocrites if they eat animals or use leather products. There is no logic in your position, whatsoever.

Are you a vegetarian poobah? Those poor plants that don't make a bit of noise when you pick them and eat them are being abused. Whats your problem? You can't have it both ways. If not a vegetarian and eat meat or fish, then your a hypocrite for the false protection of animals.

reload500 said, "Poobah, your food stamp president Obama, has muslim brothers bouncing around on camels on their way to the next bombing. Take your bleeding heart across the ocean."
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reload, first of all, the nationwide food stamp act was signed into law by Richard Nixon, Republican. Secondly, Obama is not a Muslim. Thirdly, your ignorance of equating Muslims with bombings is typical of someone with a nickname like RELOAD. How soon you forget about Anders Breivik, the Christian terrorist in Norway. Finally, I will stay right here in my country and fight the ignorance and bigotry of people like yourself.

You can all make fun of someone who stands up for the humane treatment of animals. It's something I would gladly endure. And to suggest because someone is for the humane treatment of animals precludes them from eating meat or using leather products is just a smoke cover for the real issue - abuse of animals for entertainment purpose.

Let me take a poll here.... Do you think the sheep would rather be ridden or have their throats cut and butchered? MMMMMM lamb chops! Please pass the mint jelly!

Listen folks, this poobah is just a troll. Ignore it!

Poobah, Sheep do not have fur. Remember good old Mary who had a little lamb, its' "fur" was white as snow.

I think this story is about good old fashion American family fun. It's a throwback to when families enjoyed the simple things together. Too bad our current world is filled with so many Grand Poobahs. (Apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan)

Wait, this is a real thing?!?!

Wow poobah, you my friend, need to "find" a life! Seriously? Ever lived on a farm? Obviously not. "Pet goats, cows, even pigs" would have just as much fun with a small child riding them as a large dog, romping with kidlets. The goats would come back for more attention...They love the silliness as much as any other pet. Lighten up!

frogger, your sense of equivalency is so perverted and self-serving it is sickening.

I knew somebody would have to complain about this too. Here comes the "abuse"
The kid is WAY smaller than the Sheep.
poobah- you need to start helping with the actual humans who ARE ABUSED maybe it will make you feel better.
After a kid rides on the adults neck you better go see the chiropractor. Abuse!! Abuse!!

Dog fighting is cruel but I don't see the kid fighting the sheep or any other sheep and the bulls do NOT fight each other.

Wow, first midget wrestling, now rodeo and this. I haven't been this embarrassed to live in Janesville since well, the KKK. Makes me really think about giving the fair so much of my money every year.

Just butchered a sheep and a pig last week! Had some for dinner last night. They were put down peacefully and they did not suffer one bit and tasted pritty good.

Dwight said, "It's great family entertainment...I feel sorry for people like you."
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I appreciate your concern for me and wish you had just 1% as much interest in stopping the abuse, injury and death of animals solely for the entertainment of people. What is your position on dog fighting, Dwight?

http://www.suite101.com/content/rodeo-an...

poobah - it would be impossible to investigate those allegations - because they DON'T happen. It's great family entertainment...I feel sorry for people like you.

Plenty of kids got piggyback rides from their parents at the fair. Wait...before you say anything: I mean humane rides that didn't have any animal connotations whatsoever.

Well, here we go again... animals not abused, eh? How natural is it for a sheep to shipped around in containers, have a 65 pound human on it's back while pulling on its fur in front of a crowd of cheering idiots? Why don't the kids ride on their parents or other adults who think this is such a grand idea? Anyone supporting the rodeo or this insanity is truly pathetic. And shame again on Catherine and the Gazette for covering this in such a light-hearted manner. I'd like to see the Gazette commit to an investigative article on the trauma, injuries and death sustained by rodeo and circus animals to balance out these last two articles.

Hahahaha!!! Looks hilarious! Love the picture!

Grew up on a farm and, as kids we tried to ride sheep and cows until we were able to afford a horse. Never got up enough courage to try to ride pigs. No helmets. Sheep at least had wool to hang on to but sure were fast. Cows not so fast but nothing to hang onto and super bony backbone.

Love it: Kids well protected ... animals not abused ... and audience probably got a kick out of it as well as the kids. Wish I had been there to watch it. Maybe next year.