Politician Tries to Stop Monkeys from Racing Dogs

The popular banana derby race at the Lake County Fair, which involves a monkey dressed as a jockey riding on top of a dog, will continue this year but one county board member is looking to ban the event in the future.

Board member Sandra Hart is concerned over the welfare of the monkeys involved in the race, the Chicago Tribune reports. And with the support of the Lake County Board, Chicago-area zoos and other animal advocacy groups, Hart has collected over 3,500 signatures in an online petition, according to the article.

In a letter to Lake County Fair Board President Jon Brodzik Jr., Hart said the derby “does not speak to the values of our county,” the newspaper reports. Brodzik responded that he saw “no compelling reason to cancel the Banana Derby attraction at this time,” according to the article.

The Banana Derby has been a popular attraction at the Lake County Fair over the past five years, the Associated Press reports. The monkeys race on top of dogs around a track in front of spectators at the fair.

The Lake County Fair will be held July 29 through Aug. 2.