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A WAR OF words has broken out for the second year running over the treatment of the ‘King Puck’ goat during the Puck Fair.
The Puck Fair is a long-running festival in Killorglin Co Kerry, and the Puck King is a live goat that is traditionally hoisted in the air, where it stays in a cage for a number of days during the festival.
The Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) has questioned the animal’s treatment.
In a statement, John Carmody of ARAN said:
ARAN is urging the good folk of Killorglin to stand with us and compassionate people across Ireland who now agree that tradition should never be used to justify animal suffering.
The puck is a wild animal who doesn’t understand the loud noise, bright lights, and thousands of people in front of him, and he certainly doesn’t understand being hoisted into the air and left there to dangle over a weekend. We’re encouraging the festival goers to get with the times and take the puck out of the Fair, because if you wouldn’t do it your dog, why do it to a goat?
ARAN is concerned about the fact the wild-caught goat is hoisted into the air, believing the animal is “terrified” by what occurs.
However, as with last year, these concerns have been dismissed. South Kerry TD Michael Healy Rae told Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1 this morning that what Carmody suggests is “not correct” and is “nonsense”.
He said that after the goat is caught, he is treated for fluke and lice, and his toenails are cut. He is also fed with cabbage and branches from ash trees, which Healy Rae said are a “delicacy” for goats.
“He is treated exceptionally well,” said Healy Rae. “He is under constant supervision of a vet and very responsible people.”
He added that the goat has “constant food, constant water and constant supervision”.
The truth of the fact of this matter is the goat is returned to the wild in a way better condition than when he is captured. For Mr Carmody to say otherwise is not fair.
Last year, the organisers of Puck Fair told TheJournal.ie that the welfare of King Puck “is the priority at all times”
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Some American dentist will lure him out of the cage
What a load of absolute codswallop .. These saddos would be better off to get a life than trying to mess up the oldest festival in the world, where the animal is treated perfectly humanely.
“humanely”? so are humans locked in cages 60ft in the sky and left there for a few days where you’re from Seán?
It’s Kerry. Their ways are not our ways.
Your splitting of semantic hairs there mate still doesn’t make a whole lot of sense unfortunately, ie ‘the humane treatment of animals’ does not mean ‘treating animals like people’.. A child might tell you that ..
If you check the festival out for yourself you’d see that on the contrary to one scaremonger on here’s claim that the animal is ‘terrified’, the animal is perfectly content and watches over proceedings with an air of relaxed, aloof detachment as he enjoys his food and water up there for his couple of days’ royal treatment … In fact, people on the ground have far more cause to be terrified in Killorglin for those few days than King Puck! ..
It’s people like you and your ilk that are slowly sucking all the fun out of this world with your PC ‘animals are the same as humans’ B5..
If that’s the way you’re inclined why don’t you and these do-gooders do something immeasurably more worthwhile and take your cause against the Islamic community’s Halal SLAUGHTER of animals instead of against a harmless and historic festival that gives an animal royal treatment for a couple of days in the year.
No?? Thought not. Absolute hypocritical sickeners .. Ya you’ll take up arms against a harmless crowd, but will stay shtum against a more formidable crowd acting immeasurably worse … Ah, the age of pusillanimous PC relativism ..
Also, the logical extension of your stance on Puck Fair is to outlaw horses being transported in horseboxes or trucks, the outlawing of dogs being kept in kennels and prosecuting people for keeping fish in tanks.
Your anthropomorphic Lalaland, formed through films such as Bambi and the Lion King overly impressing themselves upon you in your childhoods, is one where we break out the good china and sit down to afternoon tea with horses, goats, dogs and fish and all talk about our feelings.
Animals do not have ‘rights’. Only people do.
Says who, Dude? One person.
Sean you are the saddest,emptiest retrad I have ever seen
Despite all my rage, it is still just a goat in a cage.
RESPECT
Good old Billy
Good old Billy Goat
Tadhg and you just wankwer
?
Having worked with the fair, I can say that (deep breath) Michael Healy Rae is completely correct. The goat is treated exceptionally well under the close watch of a vet and he (the goat, not the vet) couldn’t care less about all the hullabaloo around, so long as he has lots of food and water.
marty the goat whisperer. I’m pretty sure any wild animal caged and raised in the air would be terrified by the sounds and environment. people on here go mad for animal rights and are all vocal against zoos and seaworld on the journal when the articles come up but it is completely acceptable to terrify a goat because it’s just a goat.
how do you know the goat is terrified?
Cholly – a goat is a domesticated animal – like a sheep, cow, even dog.
Cool, why don’t you try pet an African hunting dog or a European wolf.
@mark, common sense really. I’m not against zoos or am I a vegaterian but i think it’s hilarious they hypocrisy of the journal on varying articles.
because they’re not domesticated….duh.
Do you know anything about wild goats? They have no issue with heights and can be found on ledges far higher than 60ft.
Can they be found in cages far higher than 60ft?
a wild goat is not a domesticated goat fyi matt
Puck off ARAN
Out of all the daily incidents of animal cruelty in Ireland, they focus of this?
It’s a goat in a cage for a few hours. I suppose transporting a horse in a horse box is even worse.
Seriously do these people even interact with animals? These are domesticated animals, they don’t care about anything other than getting fed and looked after.
The article says the goat’s in the cage for a number of days.
And that’s it’s a wild goat (not domesticated).
“These are domesticated animals, they don’t care about anything other than getting fed and looked after.”
This shows your low opinion of domesticated animals Stephen. After all, humans are domesticated animals too. The 5 freedoms guaranteed to any animals under human control are
Freedom from hunger or thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour
Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area
Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment
Freedom to express (most) normal behaviour by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind
Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
Now, which of those are being broken by locking the goat in a metal cage 60ft up in the air?
Ross – Uh huh yeah… http://cellar.org/2010/damgoats.jpg
The goat is in a cage for a few hours. It is fed, it has access to water, it isn’t injured, it is given shelter and it is only captive for a few days.
I don’t really care about the festival whether it exists or not. Its more so the absolute wasted effort by ARAN into focussing on this of all the other thing is Ireland that happen to animals that are much worse. Its like that woman a couple of weeks ago kicking up a storm because of a stupid pig race in Wicklow somewhere. Meanwhile on that day a puppy had its legs amputated from being swung by its hind legs by kids in a park.
These extreme animal rights organisations always focus on the easy targets and haven’t the balls to deal with the dirtbags that actually commit extreme cruelty. It like that idiot John Carmody who loves to hear his own voice preaching about veganism and attacking women for wearing a fur coat or scarf. He wouldn’t think twice about going near me if I was wearing a leather jacket because he is a soft touch coward who goes after the easy targets.
It’s at least 3 days Stephen. Posting a photo of some goats on a cliff is not the same as a goat in a cage 60ft up on some scaffold in a town in Kerry. I’m in Killorglin at the moment and it’s feckin nippy. The King Puck beer is alright though.
There are some whingers and whiners out there. Same people wouldn’t think twice about horsing into a big mac after a night out. But its ok someone else rares it and kills it for you. The goats treates like a king and let go again.
Townie Vegetarians once more showing how removed they are from animals and country life & tradition. Back to your XBox & Playstations for “Virtual” reality. HOw do they KNOW the Goat is “Scared” ? Has any Puck ever died of a heart attack from fright while on the throne? GO away ARAN and do some meaningful work on Puppy Farms, Dog Fighting and the such like.
in this day and age there is no need to have a real goat up there. there might be an excuse to say that in the past we were less aware of cruelty to animals but now we should know better. move with the time and leave the poor goat on the mountain.
Yes and lets ban all horse racing, lets set all the cows free, and most of all lets stop tying up our dogs. They look so miserable all the time. The cruelty of it all.
Now, im off to KFC to eat a chicken that was stuffed with grain and steroids and never seen the light of day. G0b$hltes
put a little puppy up there and its all uus and aahs take the poor thing down…..well its just the same with the goat….. leave him on the mountain.
are you suggesting cgi?
Yes lets. Then perhaps we can call ourselves an intelligent species.
Why don’t the animal rights brigade give out about Halal slughter in Ireland. Than you would have a just cause to complain about YouTube it and learn. That old puck is on his summer holidays a break from the ladies.
because Halal isn’t an easy target, and the way the country has gone, you would be called a racist if you say its cruel. PC gone mad.
They do give out about Halal slaughter, as well as fur farming, dog fighting, live animal exports, badger baiting, etc ,etc. This article is just focussing on one of arans many fights for better animal welfare..
The goat should just be monitored for stress hormone levels so we can decide for sure if it is stressful or not. I’m sure most festival goers couldn’t care less if it was a fake goat or real goat up there
Animal welfare is NOT the same as animal rights.
To monitor the goat for stress hormones you would have to take blood samples which in itself would cause the animal stress
True, they are not the same thing but they are linked.
You are incorrect about strees hormones though.. http://www.researchgate.net/publication/262851068_Monitoring_stress_hormone_metabolites_as_a_useful_non-invasive_tool_for_welfare_assessment_in_farm_animals
Just because you “pamper” the goat does not mean it’s not traumatised from the human fun of the festival. Let wild life be. Who’s the animal now?!
If you ever had any dealings with goats then you’d know that they’re not easily “traumatised.”
Whatever you’re into, Grot
Hippes moved to a commune on the mountain behind the homeplace back around ’89/’90. They had a joint herd of goats that ran wild for years tramping fences, scavenging the already scarce resources. A couple of the beasts were as brazen as, and would attack on sight. By the time the herd was culled it numbered 50+. I miss those dumb ba$tard$. The goats – not so much.
Loose the goat folks, no need to keep the poor thing cooped up in a cage to have the craic.
The word is “lose”!! Why can’t people in this country spell a simple four letter word? FFS!!!
Stop loosing you’re temper man;
Maybe they meant to let the goat loose in the crowd. I’d love to see a kerry man being chased by a horned animal!!
Whatever you’re into David.
As many a sheep could testify David, it’s the Kerryman that’s the horned animal.
Capture a healy-rae and make him king puck… sure a wild healy rae would only love the attention of it
and those lads could always do with a manicure and a bit of general sprucing up
they go on about this every year , I have to say Healy rae is correct on this one . it’s well looked after .
Puck off, butt out,,,,, tradition is tradition. Keep your grimy PC Nanny State paws away from the Puck Fair.
Go save some snails or rats or something !!!
‘tradition is tradition’.. female circumcision, badger baiting, cock fighting, slavery….
Goats and Healy Rae’s, now there is a marriage made in heaven ! In this day and age we have mechanised dinosaurs in Tayto Park, surely a mechanical goat would not be too much to ask for ?
This “ARAN” crowd are getting a good bit of publicity lately, heard them on about the seagulls recently too.
Troublemakers and attention seekers, like all those extreme “animal rights” nuts.
The media needs to stop pandering to them.
Wow peaceful protests. Real extreme.
That’s a disgrace let him out cruel b******s .
To quote a well known philosopher; “tree hugging hippy crap”. Too many people crying about animals “feelings”.
If its all that nice in.that cage why isn’t Healy-Rae volunteering?. its inhumane to keepany animal locked in a cage as so called amusement for others
This goat is treated like a King, compare his treatment to a breeding sow!
proinsias…. I forgot, two wrongs make a right. ah that’s fine so
Treated like a King? do kings usually get captured, put in a cage and then get hoisted above a town for 3 days?
Did he interview the goat to ascertain its feelings and lack of understanding? Sure the goat will be contented to have the best of food and water. Maybe he should interview the cattle, pigs and sheep being loaded on to lorries being led to slaughter. The goat will return to its mountain fastness none the worst for its experience.
Get educated. He fights against live exports and factory farming as well.
This is a blatant form off animal abuse, there is no excuse for it, it can be stopped TODAY once and for all. No red tape just a simple act off humanity.
Hey ARAN!!!! Leave those kids alone!
Despite all the rage, it’s still just a goat in cage.
Perhaps release the goat and imprison Healy Rae in a giant male effigy made of wood and reeds, a wicker man if you will, then sacrifice him to the corn God. Everyone’s a winner.
Also they don’t leave him up there for 3 days anymore, he is regularly taken up and down for pictures for a fee of course with tourists. Traditions go out the window when there is money involved.
Why don’t Aran and there like ever F off.
Its a goat,, in a cage,,treated well for a couple days then released. jesus christ people!!! Theres horses starving and dying in fields all around the country
fair point
As said before, if this were a dog or a cat up there, people would be freaking out over it. Goats are nice animals and if they’re not trying to eat your clothes they’re quite friendly and curious creatures. Take the poor animal down and put the Gooch up there, he’s certainly more like a farm animal than a goat.
What is wrong with compassion for other living creatures???
Get the puck outta here
There are some animal rights activists that do a great job for the greater good. However then you have the “do Gooder PC brigade” who are completely disconnected from rural Ireland. This festival is more than just a goat on a stand, it’s a more than a tradition that dates back 100′s of years. For the people of Killorglin and surrounding area the festival and traditions are the focal point of the calendar, it’s bigger than Christmas where family and friends come home from around the world. It’s worth 7million to the town each year but much more than just monetary value, it’s the fabric of the town which brings the culture and community together. To all the “PC brigade” have some respect for traditions and peoples way of life and stop shoving your beliefs down people’s throats. I for one am looking forward to seeing King Puck hoisted high above the town of Killorglin again in 2015.Long live King Puck.
Five Freedoms. Only 1, at a push 2 have been met. Get educated, that is not a “happy” goat. Dark Ages is where that tradition belongs ! !
seagulls last week, goats this week who are they trying to kid
Let’s put Healy Rae in a cage clip his nails and give him some food see how long that tool likes if
I suppose King Puck is lucky not to be in Souther Nepal
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/11/29/world/asia/nepal-gadhimai-ritual-slaughter/index.html
I know for a fact that the goat loves the fair every year because it gets a week off from being shagged by the locals. Up Kerry. Whooooopppeeedoooo.
The “good folk of Killorglin” would stand behind you all right – to give them a good shoe up the ……
There are some animal rights activists that do a great job for the greater good. However then you have the “do Gooder PC brigade” who are completely disconnected from rural Ireland. This festival is more than just a goat on a stand, it’s a more than a tradition that dates back 100′s of years. For the people of Killorglin and surrounding area the festival and traditions are the focal point of the calendar, it’s bigger than Christmas where family and friends come home from around the world. It’s worth 7million to the town each year but much more than just monetary value, it’s the fabric of the town which brings the culture and community together. To all the “PC brigade” have some respect for traditions and peoples way of life and stop shoving your beliefs down people’s throats. I for one am looking forward to seeing King Puck hoisted high above the town of Killorglin again in 2015. Long live King Puck.
Sadly…..I must say no wonder Ireland is 100 years behind negro- on every level! I pity you sick pagans
Gosh almighty, when will cruelty to animals ever end, what the hell is wrong with these weirdos why don’t they ever listen to the general public, people don’t like that stuff anymore, its medieval !
sean Kelly should give the puck a brake -he looks like a goat anyhow, and is also selling this country out to the Americans as cheerleader of the TTIP-ISDS Trade Agreement with America. Do you know that America has bought up more Irish Property (rent -seeking) in the last 5 years than in the last 45 years!!!!!
I had lunch in the goat inn in Dublin a few years ago nad they brought a goat throuth the restaurant on a lead
have your say