Controversy
Turtle racing has garnered controversy at times due to the treatment of turtles and the gambling that occurs at many races. The annual turtle races at the Gala Days in the Canadian village of Ailsa Craig have drawn particular scrutiny. After news of the annual turtle race was popularized in 2010, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources told the organizers to cancel the event. Ministry officials intervened due to wild turtles being caught in a nearby river in order to be used in the race, threatening to fine anyone who entered a wild animal in the race. A ministry spokesperson cited the danger of spreading disease and disrupting the ecosystem by catching wild turtles and then putting them back. The spokesperson also cited the stress that the race caused the turtles. The event later proceeded as planned after turtles were rented from a nearby pet store for use in the race. Many residents had been catching turtles for weeks in order to enter them in the race, and area residents had to release over one hundred turtles.
In 1987 the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals issued court summonses regarding what they described as turtle abuse at turtle races at a restaurant in Plainfield, New Jersey. Although a judge ordered the races to be stopped, an investigation found that no abuse had occurred and the judge's order was rescinded.
Animal rights activists have described the sport as "cruelty" to turtles. The Market Days festival in Concord, New Hampshire cancelled its turtle racing event after it received complaints that the sport was a form of cruelty to animals. Archbishop Daniel Edward Pilarczyk has also opined against turtle racing, stating that the practice does not "mirror the compassion of Jesus".
PETA has endorsed rubber duck racing as a cruelty-free alternative to turtle racing.
Read more about this topic: Turtle Racing
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