ANIMAL TREATMENT AT THE DATE FESTIVAL
On Tuesday, we reported on the death of an ostrich that broke it’s leg, during a race at the Riverside County Fair. We wondered how all the animals are treated. So, we went to find out about the care the animals get and what fair-goers are saying about what they see and if they have any concerns.
Whether it’s a pig named Jimmy Dean crossing the finish line, a sea lion sticking its tongue out at our cameras or a rescue dog doing back flips, there’s no shortage of entertainment, at the fair.
Gavin Bishop is visiting from Seattle. While watching the sea lions he says, “They’re awesome. The coolest things ever.”
But not everyone is amused.
Sarah Mundy, Assistant Director of the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival says, “Sometimes people raise concerns, but once they see our shows they’re usually pretty pleased with the situation and we’ve had a very successful fair. Our animals are important to us.”
Gala Rogacheva is the head trainer for the new sea lion show. She’s been working with the animals for 14 years. One of the stars of the show is Stella, who is all smiles, after being rescued, after beaching herself in Puerto Rico. Rogacheva says, “What these animals do in the wild, if they become ill or are starving, they’ll throw themselves out on the beach, so they can die peacefully. Luckily for us, Stella was found right before she moved on.”
Stella weighed 50 pounds, when she was found. Now, 7 years-old, she weighs 300 pounds and gave birth to a baby last year. If you wonder how a sea lion could be comfortable, in the desert, they can actually stay out of the water, 80-percent of their lives. When they’re tired of working, they’re not afraid to say no.
Rogacheva says, “When they feel like they don’t want to do it anymore, they jump in the pools. We do have two pools here. Each 15,000 gallons. Behind us is an air conditioning unit and there’s a pool in there as well. That’s where they go to take a break, when they’re not in the public eye.”
We asked people to tell us how the animals looked and if they seemed alright. Rhonda York told us, “I hadn’t really thought about it, but I think they’re very well taken care of here.”
Lee York told us he does have one concern. He says, “I wasn’t really excited about the ostrich and camel races.” When asked why, he told us, “I think it’s not really races. They just ride them around a little bit and I’m not excited about that.”
In fact, an ostrich had to be euthanized, after it broke it’s leg during a race, this week. Joe Hedrick raises the ostriches and brings them from Kansas each year, to race. He says,”That’s the first serious accident we’ve had for 30 plus years.”
Ostriches can reach speeds up to 40 miles per hour, carrying one of seven riders Hedrick provides. He says, “We train them some, but it’s kind of like a polo player or hunter, jumper person. They more times you’re on, the better you get at it.”
All of the trainers and caregivers follow certain guidelines to insure the welfare of each animal. Lou Mack has been putting on, “Jump, The Ultimate Dog Show”, for 29 years. He tells us, “We just had a check from Animal Services about an hour ago so they’re checking to make sure they’re comfortable and what not.”
He’s rescued each of the 15 dogs you see in the show. Mack says, “We do about 7, 8 dogs per show and they do a couple of tricks at a time. We have a 30 minute show. Simple tricks, they’re having fun and everyone who comes to the show says wow, they’re having fun and that’s what we like.”
Having fun and getting an up-close encounter with the animals becomes a learning experience for kids and adults alike. But, all fun aside, the safety and treatment of the animals is of utmost importance to Al Fernandes and his family. He’s been showing livestock at the fair, since 1963. Fernandes says, “You want that care and dedication to the animal to be the same as if they were taking care of you…as if the roles were reversed.”
