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Source: ONE News
An event featuring a red kangaroo goaded into fighting a human clown at a festival in the US, designed to celebrate all things Australian, has been cancelled.
The BorderFest festival in Hidalgo, Texas, features an event
called Rocky Show Circus, involving two kangaroos and their owner,
Javier Martinez, who dons the clownsuit.
Martinez baits the kangaroo by pushing it and poking it before
placing it in a headlock.
If Rocky fights back too much, Martinez's wife Sandra restrains it
using a heavy tether attached to a harness around the animal's
chest.
The American arm of Kraft - the owners of Vegemite - was sponsoring the show, which claimed to be a celebration of all things Australian.
Kraft Foods Australia says it is pleased that the show was cancelled.
"We understand the BorderFest Association, which organises this
annual cultural celebration, has apologised for offending anyone,
particularly the people of Australia, with the kangaroo boxing
display," said Kraft spokesman Simon Talbot.
"That portion of the event has been cancelled.
"Kraft Foods is pleased they've taken this proactive stance."
Martinez has defended the show, saying the kangaroos are in
control at all times.
"You cannot force a kangaroo to do nothing," he said.
"(Kangaroos) only do what they want to do so we don't make them
work, you work around them."
But Martinez is known to US animal welfare authorities, having been
on their watch list since 2003, when two kangaroos he was caring
for died within four months.
He's also been investigated by PETA, which says one of the
kangaroos died from a bacterial disease called lumpy jaw.
