International animal rights group calls on Sark to cancel Sheep Racing Festival
The Sark Sheep Racing Festival is an annual event where sheep race down a grass track with teddy bear jockeys strapped to their backs.
The event takes place in the summer, with proceeds going to the Professor Charles Saint Sark Medical Trust.
However, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has written a letter to the Sark Carnival Committee to urge them to race "willing human participants" instead.
The Committee met to discuss the letter, and say they will consult with the States of Guernsey vet before making a decision on the best course of action to take.
The letter reads: "Sheep are many things, but they are not clowns for human entertainment or professional athletes on whom to wager.
"They are gentle, good-natured, playful, and loving animals with complex emotions, [and] are also protective parents and resourceful problem-solvers. Above all, they're individuals who feel pain and fear.
"Holding sheep races sends a dangerous message to young people that it is acceptable to objectify animals and use them as little more than living props.
"The sheep do not consent to participating in this confusing and stressful event and should be left in peace."
PETA is an animal rights group against the use of animals in laboratories, the food industry, the clothing trade, and the entertainment business.
They have historically called for bans and changes in the UK to protect animals, from phasing out police dogs to changing the name of The Sly Old Fox pub in Birmingham, calling it "derogatory".
Dawn Carr, PETA Vice President of Vegan Corporate Projects, says: "Sheep do not consent to participating in this confusing and stressful event and should be left in peace.
"There are plenty of fun and family-friendly rural activities without animals that can be celebrated.
"How about a 'potato' and spoon race, a hobby horse jump competition, or a tractor tug of war?"
The next Sark Sheep Racing events will begin on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 July 2025.
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