County fair treats animals unfairly
There are so many ways for folks to enjoy the county fair, it's disappointing that the cruel animal acts haven't been eliminated ("Racing hogs to rubber frogs, it's the county fair," Aug. 15).

The animals are continually carted from one town to the next and are treated like nothing more than equipment; they live in a constant state of discomfort, frustration and anxiety. They have little control over any aspect of their lives because their eating, sleeping, socializing, roaming, grazing, and mating habits are controlled by their keepers.

The scheduling logistics of the fair circuit does not allow for downtime to let animals rest or exercise or to attend to sick or injured animals. It's impossible to know how many animals suffer and die en route from fair to fair, because the caravans are constantly on the move, and for the most part, no one in authority is watching.

In this day and age, when we have so many alternatives available to us, there is just no excuse for continuing to exploit and torment animals.

Jennifer O'Connor Animals in Entertainment

campaign writer People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

Norfolk, Va.