Vegan actor Woody Harrelson has demanded that violent ‘hog catch’ events are closed down in his home state of Texas in a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott.

Harrelson targets an event called the ‘Bacon Bash’ in which screaming, terrified pigs are chased, grabbed and tormented by participants – as revealed in a recent video by PETA.

Harrelson said in a letter: “I have a lot of pride in my home state and the compassionate, independent spirit of my fellow Texans.

“That’s why I was shocked to learn about the cruelty that pigs are subjected to at something called the ‘Bacon Bash’.

“This violent spectacle encourages children and adults alike to scare, injure, and torment animals for entertainment. The world doesn’t need more bullies.

“Texas law prohibits inflicting unnecessary and unjustified pain and suffering on animals, so I implore you to make sure that the law is upheld here—and to issue an executive order banning this event.”

The aim of the competition is to catch the pigs – and contestants have been filmed grabbing their ears, tails, snouts and lifting them off the ground by their legs and stuffed them into sacks.

Pigs become so terrified that some jump headfirst into metal arena fences as they tried to escape, causing cuts to their faces.

Harrelson’s letter to Abbott reads in full:

The Honorable Greg Abbott

Governor of Texas

Dear Gov. Abbott,

I have a lot of pride in my home state and the compassionate, independent spirit of my fellow Texans. That’s why I was shocked to learn about the cruelty that pigs are subjected to at something called the “Bacon Bash” held near Bandera.

At this year’s event in March, which eyewitnesses recorded, screaming, frightened pigs were chased around an arena. They were grabbed by their ears, tails, and snouts and hauled by their legs while their faces were dragged through the sand and they desperately tried to escape. Participants tackled pigs, jumped on them, and hit them, and event staff kicked them in the head.

This violent spectacle encourages children and adults alike to scare, injure, and torment animals for entertainment. The world doesn’t need more bullies. Texas law prohibits inflicting unnecessary and unjustified pain and suffering on animals, so I implore you to make sure that the law is upheld here—and to issue an executive order banning this event.

Thank you for your attention to this crucial matter.

Sincerely,

Woody Harrelson

What do you think of Woody Harrelson’s letter? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Oli Gross

Oli’s career and personal ethical values both help shape his reporting of the diverse world of veganism. His background is in local newspaper and magazine journalism, and his work has included reporting court cases, celebrity interviews, business analysis, food and drink features and government legislation.

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