Wild Horses Could Drag Stones Gig Away

Posted on Apr 18th 2007 1:00PM by Melissa Olund
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Serbian animal lovers are up in arms over a plan to drug 300 horses at a Belgrade racetrack when the Rolling Stones tour rolls into town. A stable hand told Reuters, "If they get too nervous or start to panic during the concert, they'll get sedatives," referring to the horses, not certain band members.

The plan is angering activists, who say concert organizers should simply seek a change of venue. Elvir Burazerovic, the head of Serbia's largest animal protection agency, said, "Surely our big city has enough open spaces where even 150,000 people can fit in. We think the Hippodrome should be left to horses." If the plan isn't scrapped, Burazerovic will seek an intervention from Sir Mick and Co. themselves, telling the news agency, "I believe we'll succeed since such a reputable band will not allow such a stain on its record."

This will be the Stones' first performance in Serbia after assassinations and falls from coconut trees prevented the band from carrying out two previous scheduled dates. Read the full story.