Fighting Cows to Face New Doping Tests

AP/Yahoo ^ | 3/24/05

[martin_fierro]

Fighting Cows to Face New Doping Tests

SION, Switzerland - Cows that lock horns in an annual test of strength in the Swiss Alps must face renewed doping tests, authorities have decided.

"There are controls for racehorses and dogs, and there's no reason to do it differently for cows," Joseph Jaeger, chief veterinarian in the Valais state, said Thursday.

Valais' annual cow-fighting contest — known as "The Combat of the Queens" — pits powerfully built, black-hided animals from the Swiss Val d'Herens breed against each other.

The grand final and earlier heats draw about 50,000 spectators, and a victory can add tens of thousands of dollars to a cow's value.

Now officials will restart the controls, halted in 2002 after six years of nothing but negative tests, Jaeger said.

Cow fighting, which began in Valais in 1922, is based on the natural struggle between cows for dominance of the herd as they leave their winter stables and head to the Alpine pastures in the spring.

During the largely bloodless fights, each cow tries to force the other to submit, using its head and horns. The contests often end without any physical contact between either cow, when one of the animals recognizes the superiority of the other.

[OSHA]

I think the brunette's got stronger-looking biceps. I'll take your bet and up the ante 10$.

BAH! Looks like flab to me. You just like her because she looks like john kerry.

I'll take your bet and spot you the first purse swing.

[Cowman]

Ich bin ein brawliner.

I am a tough jelly doughnut?

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.

[tubebender]

Just a note to let you know I won't make the next BBQ at your pad until I am assured you are not serving doped beef...

[glock rocks]

The only dopey thing around here is Bo the wonderlab. As for the bbq, that's p-i-g pork, so no worries.

[tubebender]

As for the bbq, that's p-i-g pork, so no worries.

I dig pig but my daughter loves Miss Piggy...

[solitas]

50,000 people don't have TV or computers, or a book to read, or SOMETHING to do with their lives other than watching Cow,s fight?????

HELLO? Earth to Rob: they're pseudo-neutralist Europeans...y'know? :)

[solitas]

I am a tough jelly doughnut?

Ich bin ein Berliner mit einem dummen, fetten, alkoholischen Bruder.

[ChefKeith]

We got "clean" cattle around these parts...

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[F-117A]

bump

[Cowman]

das bridge unt der tunel es KAPUT! Danke Chapaquiddick Ted

[melbell]

"50,000 people don't have TV or computers, or a book to read, or SOMETHING to do with their lives other than watching Cow,s fight?????"

It's no different than watching sports.