Urge Ridgeland, Wisconsin Officials to Stop Cruel Chicken Toss
From: Letter to Dunn County Officials, Ridgeland, Wisconsin
“The chickens being subjected to this extremely stressful and terrifying situation are not enjoying themselves. When people derive enjoyment at such events, they do so by debasing their own character by seeking thrills through violent acts against unwilling participants. Of greater importance is that such events ‘teach’ children and others that it’s acceptable to use animals for any human purpose, regardless of how trivial and cruel. Our society needs to foster a greater respect for the other creatures with whom we share this plant. The ‘chicken toss’ is antithetical to that aspiration. I urge you to use your influence to discontinue this or any other use of animals that is unquestionably inhumane.” – Nedim C. Buyukmihci, VMD, Emeritus Professor of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Jan 24, 2019.
United Poultry Concerns is joining Wisconsin-based Alliance for Animals again this year in politely urging the village of Ridgeland in Dunn County, Wisconsin to cancel the “Chicken Toss” in February (most likely Saturday, Feb. 15, since it is always held in mid-February).
The chicken toss consists of throwing many chickens, one or two at a time, up in the air from a roof. Crowds scramble to grab the birds as they fall to the ground. The chickens huddle together, freezing and fearful, in crates and bags, waiting to be thrown by participants who consider this cruel activity fun.
There is no similarity between a chicken being pulled from a container and thrown roughly up in the air from a roof in the midst of a screaming mob, and a chicken fluttering voluntarily to the ground from a perch in a quiet place.
Feb. 16, 2019 “Chicken Toss” Report
Todd Wilson
February 16 at 9:48 PM
“Today, for the second year in a row, we drove up to the Ridgeland, WI Pioneer Days event. The big attraction is throwing sick, frostbitten, terrified chickens off of a roof into a sea of drunk, crazed and violent humans. . . .”
Ridgeland Chicken Toss Photos by Todd Wilson, Feb. 16, 2019
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Please call these Dunn County officials, and politely urge them to prohibit the “chicken toss” this year. Whether you reach a live person or a recording, leave a brief, clear, and respectful message expressing your concern for the chickens: their fear and possible injury and the frigid weather.
Kevin Bygd
Dunn County Sheriff’s Office
615 Stokke Parkway
Menomonie, WI 54751
Phone: 715-232-1564
kbygd@co.dunn.wi.us
Andrea Nodolf
Dunn County District Attorney’s Office
615 Stokke Parkway, Suite 1700
Menomonie, WI 54751
Phone: 715-232-1687
Andrea.Nodolf@da.wi.gov
Brian Johnson
Dunn County Board Supervisor District 1
N12038 890th Street
Colfax, WI 54730
Phone: 715-658-1888
bjohnson@co.dunn.wi.us