Video sparks investigation into Bolton Fair alleged animal abuse

LANCASTER, Mass. — Authorities are investigating a video from the Bolton Fairgrounds that has sparked backlash.

Lauren McCaig and her daughter were at the Bolton Fairgrounds on Sunday watching a pair of Oxen pull a stone boat. They say the man was “abusing” the pair of Oxen.

“Something in my heart didn’t feel right. It felt wrong,” said McCaig. “Was hitting these two Oxen in the nose, in the face, the eyes. Everywhere. It was to the point where the animals were cowering.”

Mom and daughter say even while it appears the animals were in pain, the man kept hitting them in the face.

Gianna McCaig, who is just 10 years old, started to cry. The McCaig’s say there were about 100 people at the fair and parents and children didn’t know how to react.

“Children were with their mothers, their fathers, the faces that people were making, were complete horror. They are watching these animals being beaten,” said McCaig.

Lauren says she will now think twice about going back to the Bolton Fair. In the meantime, Police and the MSPCA are doing their own investigations. They are also coordinating with Massachusetts Dept. Of Agricultural resources to see what the rules and regulations are. The Bolton Fair will also conduct an internal investigation to determine if any rules and regulations for this event were violated.

Cox Media Group