People are encouraged to attend a peaceful demo protesting the cruel "pig scrambles" at the Woodside Jr. Rodeo, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on July 4. Meet at the main entrance to the rodeo grounds on King's Mountain Road. [Part removed at request of Humane Woodside.]

The Woodside Town Council meets on Tuesday, June 27, Independence Hall, 2955 Woodside Road, 7:30pm. PUBLIC COMMENT IS EARLY ON THE AGENDA. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD! Email - council.members@woodsidetown.org

I continue to hope that a more compassionate means of relating to animals will be brought forward than the pig scramble.

There are probably an infinite number of events that might be substituted from pettting areas to gentle feeding of special foods.

There is no justification for holding an event which verternary experts from across the country have deemed injurious.

Perhaps the council will reflect more deeply about holding an event that hundreds have said is cruel and asked for it to be stopped

It's so sad to see animal abuse continues to be encouraged in our children with the pig scramble. Kids who abuse animals are more likely to grow up to abuse adults. There are so many other ore productive ways to entertain our children instead of horrifying them.
Please cancel the animal abuse events. Teach our children something useful instead.

There have to be better ways to celebrate Fourth of July than to terrorize innocent animals. There will come a day when Woodside gives up its barbaric practices. Hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later.

You people have got to be kidding,

You really think letting small kids chase around some pigs will turn them into abusive adults,

Where do you come from? My kids chased the pigs 20 years ago and they are very well adjusted adults,

Using your logic no one would ride a horse, herd cattle or even milk a cow.

Suggest you go to the rodeo let your hair down and have some family fun.

The rodeo is bad enough, but you have to throw in a pig scramble, too? It's hard to believe that in 2017 and with myriad forms of entertainment, there are still people in our country so insensitive and so Neanderthal in their thinking, they aren't capable of recognizing the obvious. Leave the animals alone!

Very disappointed to learn the Woodside rodeo will again use young pigs as toys for their pig scramble. Surely there are other forms of entertainment where the injury of an animal is avoided for 'fun'. All life should be valued.

What a shame. An upscale community, high income levels, "educated", and it is totally DOWNSCALE when it comes to Humanity. A pig scramble, Really? Grow up Woodside.

Nice to see an American tradition continue moving forward, despite the nonsensical urging s of a small minority of people. Nothing wrong with teaching our young ones who is on the top of the food chain, and always will be.

Thanks you for your fortitude City of Woodside and the Mounted Patrol (whats next, those poor horses feelings are hurt too)?

This world gets crazier every day.

Come on. How is beating up pigs any worse than eating them???

Pig Scramble was better known as 'scrapple' where I'm from.

There will a peaceful protest in Woodside against the “Pig Scramble” that takes place in conjunction with Mounted Patrol’s Fourth of July Jr. Rodeo.

During this activity, a handful of terrified small pigs are chased by dozens of screaming children who grab them to win a trophy. “Scrambles” are inhumane and violate modern animal welfare standards. They do not teach appropriate animal handling skills, rather they show that it is ok to harass animals as entertainment.

Please meet in the parking lot at Town Hall (2955 Woodside Road) at 9:30 a.m. on July 4th. There will be ridesharing to several sites in Woodside along the route and near the entrance to the Mounted Patrol Grounds at 521 Kings Mountain Road. (There is NO parking at Kings Mountain Road.) Please bring sunscreen, a hat, and water. “I am not a Toy” pig scramble T-shirts will be available for $5. Latecomers are welcome - look for others with banners along the route. Please lend your support to the many residents in the community who wish to see an end to this outdated practice.

For additional information contact humanewoodside@gmail.com

As one of the original members of The Committee for a Humane Woodside, I would like to thank all of those who have come to the Town Hall meetings this year, spoken up against the scramble, written letters,sent emails,signed petitions, and posted comments to the Almanac supporting the ban. While the Town Council has refused to get involved in banning this practise, I am heartened by the numbers of local residents and parents who have spoken up against the pig scramble. A peaceful protest on the 4th of July is a wonderful way to show the Mounted Patrol what the community thinks of this unsanctioned "rodeo event."

The 4th of July Rodeo is coming up and I feel embarrassed that our Town is allowing the Mounted Patrol to have the Pig Scramble. It is cruel for the pigs to be chased around in the hot sun by kids and then picking them up by their feet. What in the world are we teaching our children? Certainly not compassion for animals. I sure wish you will consider ending this practice.

Woodside is a community that expects people to show respect for animals and treat them humanely. The pig scramble is out of place in this animal loving community. Please do not participate in this inhumane event. Show the Mounted Patrol that it is time to stop the pig scramble. Do not buy a ticket. Refuse to traumatized animals. Parents and children can speak Up!

I feel ashamed of our town leaders who condone this type of inhumane behavior in the name of entertainment. Woodside is better than this!

And to the person who posted "How is beating up pigs any worse than eating them???" At least you admit and realize that the pig scramble is akin to beating pigs. And, of course, civilized people still hope that the animals that provide food to us are raised and handled and slaughtered humanely and not abused for the hell of it!

It is not enough in this day and age to be against something and just refuse to partake in it. No, people now a days feel it their job to impose their will set of ideals/standards on everyone. They think so highly of their opinion that they cannot accept that a differing opinion should be allowed. I for one will be at the front gates also. My group will be protesting the stance of the "animals have feelings too" group. Our shirts will be red white and blue and read, "thanks for your opinion, now go about your business". These pugs are not Wilbur from charlottes web, or Babe from the movies. They are just farm animals on a detour on the way to your table. Talk about stress, traumatic episodes, cruelty can only be believed by one who tries to humanize these creatures (like Babe or Wilbur).

Let the farmers farm and the ranchers. You guys can keep reading your books and believe you can actually know what is going on in the mind of an animal. You are so full of yourselves. See you on July 4, and feel free to come out and join me. I'll be riding my Hog.

Light

I am sure one of the veterinary experts who spoke out against the scramble would be glad to share with you the indicators of extreme stress in pigs

Time for the intelligent and concerned residents to let the Mounted Patrol know how you feel. As long anyone participates in the pig scramble, it is a money maker. Pigs are sensitive to,pain. They are intelligent. Look at the videos taken at the 2016 Woodside pig scramble. By the third round of the pig scramble, those piglets had learned this was an experience to avoid and tried to hide. The abuse is evident. The pig scramble has no place in the junior rodeo. It is needs to be boycotted.
Have a happy and kind 4th of July.