Are these sheep being injured in any way? It's hard to rely on philosophical outrage when there's no actual harm being done.

To me, the simplest question of ethics concerning animals is, "would you subject your own pet to the equivalent treatment?"

@CC: Would you let a child 1/3 the size of your dog to play-wrestle with it while under close adult supervision?

My dog wouldn't voluntarily let a kid play-wrestle with her, but I don't think that's the equivalent question.

"Would I force my dog to allow a child to ride her backwards while she is released in front of a screaming crowd of complete assholes and forced to keep fighting until the child is thrown off?"

I don't think that's a very close call.

These people are fucking asshole relics of a much worse time in history. I would not expect much from them.

Gotta say, I'm surprised by the downvotes.

You can make a case for food, you can make a case for medical testing, but I thought in 2014 it would be pretty safe to assert that tormenting animals purely for our amusement should be off the menu.

Like, obviously so.

@CC: I guess I should stop tormenting dogs by acting like I'm throwing a ball; but then not really throwing it. Or disgustingly inbreeding dogs to the point where they have difficulty breathing, or are completely unable to give birth without surgical assistance. Of the vast array of indignities we suffer upon the fauna of the world, I don't find this one to be particularly odiferous.

Now lets talk about greased pig chases. Or making cats wear sweaters.

I just read the ASPCA position on this matter. They're against this sheep riding thing because, "it does not "promote humane care and respect for animals". Not because these animals are being harmed in any ways worse than what would happen if they were living on an actual farm.

So the ASPCA is just pulling a "BUT THINK OF TEH CHILDENS!!"

We country kids always rode (or tried to ride) our sheep and goats. (Yes, I get that you could make a joke our of this....try to refrain.) It was super fun. Sheep and goats have a boney spine that makes you not want to stay on too long, nor ride them when you are bigger. Why rob the hicks' joy?