An Entertainment Abuses Article from All-Creatures.org

Bad Sports: Why our animal kin will never be willing competitors

From EthicalGlobe.com
November 2023

It seems that as far back as documented human history goes, there are records of our animal kin being used for entertainment, gambling, and as a statement of status and prowess. The suffering endured is incomprehensible.

Humans have a long and bloody history of using other animals for “sport”. Gazelles, crocodiles, antelopes, jackals, ostriches, hyenas, lions, elephants, bears, cheetahs, and many other species were pitted to the death against each other or against the gladiators in the Roman Colosseum.

In Medieval Europe, bear-baiting, rat-baiting, bull-baiting, or dog or cock fights were everyday entertainment.

Archaeological records suggest events such as horse racing date back to ancient Syria, Egypt and Greece. Greyhound racing is believed to have begun several millennia ago among the Bedouin tribes of Africa and Asia.

Indeed, it seems that as far back as documented human history goes, there are records of our animal kin being used for entertainment, gambling, and as a statement of status and prowess. The suffering endured is incomprehensible.

Today, sports featuring other animals represent multi-billion dollar industries, especially as they are closely tied to gambling. The species most likely to be used in sports events are horses, bovines (calves, bulls, and steers), dogs, and cocks.

The most common activities considered “legitimate” sports are horse racing, greyhound racing, sled dog racing, and rodeos. There are also illegal fighting events throughout the world.

Even a cursory investigation shows that significant suffering continues, whether a sport is considered legitimate or not.

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Please read the ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE.

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