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Post Derby Tragedy, 38% Support Banning Animal Racing

 
Submitted on May 22, 2008 (Original item from May 2008) |
by Gallup
More Information...

Short Description:
This survey by the Gallup Organization, conducted one week after the euthanization of Kentucky Derby second-place finisher Eight Belles, found that 38% of Americans favor banning sports that involve competition between animals.

Abstract:
Survey results show there are few significant differences in attitudes toward a ban on dog racing versus a ban on horse racing. In general, women are slightly more in favor of banning racing than man and those age 18-29 are slightly more in favor of a ban than older age groups. Church attendance and political party did not appear to influence attitude.

With respect to banning sports that involve competition between animals, such as horse racing or dog racing:

  • Strongly support (16%)
  • Somewhat support (22%)
  • Somewhat oppose (25%)
  • Strongly oppose (34%)
  • No opinion (3%)

One quarter of Americans feel that animals deserve the same rights as humans, while most agree that animals should be given some protection from harm and exploitation. When asked in 2003 and in 2008 about statements that come closest to personal views about treatment of animals (2003/2008):

  • Animals deserve the exact same rights as people to be free from harm and exploitation. (25%/25%)
  • Animals deserve some protection from harm and exploitation, but it is still appropriate to use them for the benefit of humans. (71%/72%)
  • Animals don't need much protection from harm and exploitation since they are just animals. (3%/3%)

Support of specific proposals was also measured:

1. Banning all medical research on laboratory animals:

  • Strongly support (13%)
  • Somewhat support (22%)
  • Somewhat oppose (31%)
  • Strongly oppose (33%)

2. Banning all product testing on laboratory animals:

  • Strongly support (15%)
  • Somewhat support (24%)
  • Somewhat oppose (31%)
  • Strongly oppose (28%)

3. Passing strict laws concerning the treatment of farm animals:

  • Strongly support (35%)
  • Somewhat support (29%)
  • Somewhat oppose (20%)
  • Strongly oppose (13%)

4. Banning all types of hunting:

  • Strongly support (8%)
  • Somewhat support (13%)
  • Somewhat oppose (29%)
  • Strongly oppose (48%)
http://www.gallup.com/poll/107293/PostDerby-Tragedy-38-Suppo...

Spot Check Number: 727
Sponsor: Gallup
Researcher/Author: Gallup
Animal Type: Dogs, Various, Horses
Record Type: Survey Summary
Research Method: Telephone Survey
Geographic Region: United States National
Number of Participants: 1,017
Year Conducted: May 2008
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