We slid off for a couple of hours this morning and went to a local show to see what was what and saw some Dexters in the lines. Nobody was with them to chat to so we just stood looking and talking about legs and topline and all the usual things you do.
Whilst looking at them their keeper or show person walked up to what appeared to be a heifer, untied her from the bar and nudged her with her foot to get up. It had been raining all morning so most of the lines were lying down as I would have expected.
When it didn't get up they just started kicking it in the ribs till it did - repeatedly!
I can't tell you how close I was to doing the same to them but at 6'1" and 16st they may have carried some distance!
What do people think they are doing!
Shame on who ever it was, not the right public face to be "showing" as a Dexter owner, or a respectful way to treat an animal...and shame you didn't use the video record function on your phone...or perhaps you did?
Tim that was absolutely disgraceful behaviour by an exhibitor at a show, you should name & shame or even better report / complain about their behaviour to the Dexter Society who I'm sure will take a very dim view of this and take appropriate action.
I totally misjudged what this was about (I thought it was the cow that kicked you!). If you don't know who the person is it is perhaps a bit late now to do anything, unless you have evidence it would now be one person's word against another. The show officials should take appropriate action and be the ones to inform the society to ensure impartiality IMO. I'm amazed that anyone would do that in that situation, it doesn't even sound like they had chance for it to be justified in any way (ie the animal wasn't putting them in danger or anything).
I was so shocked that I neither noticed the name or whipped out my mobile to film it. What I did notice is that they didn't seem to have the usual showmans 'camp' - chair, buckets brushes thermos etc so I think they may have been showing other cattle as well which may have explained why there was no farm or breeders plaque with the Dexters. I will remember her face though that's for sure and if I see her again at a show I will be watching.
Name and shame for sure, or else all tall and fat Dexter women will be getting filthy looks from all (even innocent tall and fat ones!).
Best Wishes Lisa Bell (Diet starting tomorrow - just incase!)
