Rodeo,
a legalized abuse of animals for cow(ard) boys!
Please sign the 'Animals Australia-petition' before continuing - click here to sign.
You will find our petition at the bottom of this page.
Thank you!
In response to animal welfare and animal cruelty concerns, a number of laws have passed regulating rodeo. In the United Kingdom the Protection of Animals Act 1934 effectively made rodeo, as it was then practiced, illegal in England, Scotland and Wales.
In September 2000, California became the first American state to prohibit the use of prods on any animal in a chute. Stringent regulations have virtually eliminated rodeo in Rhode Island, a state which also stipulates that any individual convicted of animal cruelty in a rodeo cannot participate as a rodeo contestant. While there is no record in any state of anyone being convicted of cruelty to animals during the course of a rodeo, several states - Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York,Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming - all exempt rodeo from its anticruelty laws, making such convictions impossible.
Eleven of the states immunize rodeo events from the provisions of the law, while Utah excludes rodeo animals from the definition of 'animal' in its anti-cruelty laws. Idaho has declared exhibitions that are commonly considered acceptable cannot be charged with cruelty to animals (source)
Anyone with a heart knows it's wrong to clothesline a baby animal, body slam it to the ground, tie its legs so it can’t move, and drag it by the neck.
If this were done to a puppy or kitten, the offender would understandably be charged with a crime, and likely be jailed. In rodeos, however, it's called calf roping, and supporters claim it’s a sport.
But the abuse of baby cattle is just one of rodeo’s cruelties...
In rodeo events, such as calf roping, steer wrestling, bareback horse and bull riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, steer roping, and barrel racing, normally docile animals are physically provoked into displaying "wild" behavior in order to make the cowboys look brave.
Electric prods, spurs, and bucking straps are used to irritate and enrage animals used in rodeos. Before entering the ring, cows and horses are often prodded with an electrical "hotshot" so that the pain will rile them.
The flank (or "bucking") strap is tightly cinched around the animals' abdomens, causing them to buck vigorously in an attempt to escape the pain. The flank strap can cause open wounds and burns when the hair is rubbed off and the skin is chafed raw. Former animal control officers have found burrs and other irritants placed under the flank strap.
Rodeo cowboys voluntarily risk injury by participating in events, but the animals they use have no such choice. Countless animals in rodeos have suffered broken ribs, backs, and legs; punctured lungs; deep internal organ bruising; hemorrhaging; ripped tendons; torn ligaments and muscles; snapped necks; and agonizing deaths.
The late Dr. C.G. Haber, a veterinarian who spent 30 years as a federal meat inspector, saw many animals from rodeos sold to the slaughterhouses he inspected. He described seeing animals "with 6-8 ribs broken from the spine, and at times puncturing the lungs." Haber saw animals with "as much as 2-3 gallons of free blood accumulated under the detached skin."
The Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo has always been one of the most violent and cruel rodeos in the world. With events such as the "wild horse race" and "steer busting," animals have always been at risk. Some have been injured and some have been killed. This video documents the brutal death of a horse named Strawberry Fudge.
Entertainers who performed at the cruel and deadly Cheyenne Frontier Days include Taylor Swift, Kellie Pickler, Kenny Chesney and 3 Doors Down.
Please boycott unethical rodeo sponsors such as Coca-Cola, Dodge automobiles, Bank of the West, and Southwest Airlines.
The 2007 National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) Rodeo Finals was, as in years past, a seemingly never-ending series of animal abuses.
The NHSRA encourages young people to violently mistreat animals. The more abuse, the higher the score.
In this case an arrogant, incompetent pickup man puts his horse at risk, and then completely abandons his mount in its time of need. A poster to this video revealed on November 26, 2007 that the horse had to be put down following the goring. The horse's death was confirmed by NHSRA Exective Director Kent Sturman.
It's horrifying and repulsive, but par for the course in the world of rodeo.
Rodeo Cruelty - the truth behind the myth
Although the Rodeo associations claim very few animals are injured and killed in rodeos, SHARK's Steve Hindi has a different opinion and the evidence to back it up. This candid conversation deals with the animal abuse in Rodeo and also touches on their mighty sponsors and more.
Who sponsors rodeo cruelty?
Source: SHARK
Please contact these rodeo sponsors and tell them to get out of the abuse industry. Then forward any response you receive to SHARK at [email protected].
Please contact these rodeo sponsors and tell them to get out of the abuse industry. Then forward any response you receive to SHARK at [email protected].
- Bank of America - This ad in the program says that BOA is "proud" to support the trauma, abuse, and injuries at the National Finals Steer Roping. Tell Bank of America to stop supporting horrific animal cruelty!We were very surprised and disappointed to see Bank of America (BOA) sponsoring the most brutal and deadly event in American rodeo, steer roping. This is also known as steer busting and steer tripping and BOA was a major sponsor of the infamous National Finals Steer Roping, held at the Lea County Event Center in Hobbs, New Mexico on November 2 & 3, 2007.
The 2007 Steer Roping Finals resulted in injuries to seven animals, five steers who had to be sledded out, another painfully injured but able to limp out, and an injury to a horse. This horse was the second used by steer roping "champion" Trevor Brazile to be injured in the weeks around the Finals. SHARK investigators photographed and filmed the abusive event, and you can watch our video detailing the cruelty and corruption HERE.
We hope BOA will quickly reconsider this extremely cruel and unethical sponsorship. It is extremely important for BOA account holders especially to contact this company.
Please write:
Kenneth D. Lewis, Chairman and CEO
Bank of America Corporate Affairs
100 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28255
Phone Customer Service: 1-800-432-1000
Phone BOA Sponsorships Foundation: 1-800-218-9946
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car - Team Animal Abuse EnterpriseNot satisfied being a part-time sponsor of animal cruelty, Enterprise Rent-A-Car has now given so much money to the animal abusers that they have been rewarded with a whole series of animal torture named after them. In fact, Enterprise is now wasting so much money on rodeo that it joins the big leagues with cheap beer manufacturers and chewing tobacco companies in having their own rodeo “tour”.
While most companies try and support endeavors that benefit the community or help the environment, Enterprise decided to go another way and waste its money on torturing animals for entertainment in the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Tour on the Professional Bull Riders circuit.
Tell Enterprise what you think about their support of rodeo:
Customer service: 1-800-264-6350
Click here to submit an email form. - Southwest Airlines - What is a "progressive" company like Southwest thinking? Southwest Airlines tries to appear animal-friendly by sponsoring the Humane Society of the United States's Genesis Awards, but then turns around and gives money to an industry that abuses hundreds of thousands of animals in rodeos every year. Clearly the airline has no real ethical standard. Click here to read SWA's opinion that rodeo is "fun" sport.
Customer Relations:
214-792-4223 (Mon - Fri, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm CT)
Public Relations/Media Relations: 214-792-4847
Mail:
Southwest Airlines, Customer Relations
P.O. Box 36647 - 1CR
Dallas, Texas 75235-1647
This abuser is sponsored by the U.S. Army. Your tax dollars at work.
- United States Army - The U.S. Army gives at least $2 million every year to the animal abusers in the rodeo industry, while at the same time our soldiers are dying from lack of proper equipment. Learn more and take action! Go to: ArmyAnimalAbuse.com.
- United States Air Force Thunderbirds - SHARK caught the USAF aerobatic team supporting one of the most deadly rodeos, the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. Learn more at ShameOnCheyenne.com.
Write: USAF Aerial Events
1690 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20330-1690
Phone: (703) 695-9664 / (703) 695-9776
Email via Web Form: http://www.af.mil/main/contactus.asp - Wal-Mart - Wal-Mart's CEO Lee Scott says, "We value your opinion and welcome your feedback. It's our long-standing belief that we can only get better when we know where we need to improve." Politely tell Mr. Scott that Wal-Mart should stop colluding with cruelty and sever support to the rodeo industry.
Email:
Wal-Mart Customer Feedback
Mail:
Mr. Lee Scott
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716-8611
Phone: 1-800-WAL-MART (1-800-925-6278) - Toyota
Toyota is the major sponsor of the International Pro Rodeo Association (IPRA).
Email: Send a Message
Phone: 800-331-4331
Fax: 310-468-7814
Mail:
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Attn: Customer Relations Department
19001 South Western Ave.
Dept. WC11
Torrance, CA 90501 - Holiday Inn
By being a significant rodeo sponsor, Holiday Inn is choosing to give their cozy comforts to animal abusers. Tell Holiday Inn that until they stop supporting cruelty, you'll be staying at their competitors down the road.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-800-HOLIDAY (800-465-4329)
Corporate Headquarters Phone: 1-800-621-0555
Fax: 1-801-975-1846
Mail:
InterContinental Hotels Group
Holiday Inn
PO Box 30321
Salt Lake City
Utah 84130-321 - Anheuser-Busch
Corona Beer sponsors bullfights! Learn more about this atrocity.
Budweiser is a prominent rodeo cruelty sponsor. See the reality about rodeo!
Email: Tell Anheuser-Busch to stop supporting these horrific abuses!
Phone: 1-800-DIAL BUD (1-800-342-5283)
Mail:
Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
One Busch Place
St. Louis, MO 63118 - McDonald's - Write:
- 2111 McDonald's Dr
Oak Brook, IL 60523
Phone: 1-800-244-6227
Email: Email Form - Coors
- Jack Daniels
- 280 Lynchburg Hwy.
- Lynchburg, TN 37352-5271
Phone: 931-759-4221
Email: http://www.jackdaniels.com/contact.asp - American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA)
- AQHA is an appalling betrayer of horses, supporting both the rodeo industry and the horse slaughter industry.
Write:
P.O. Box 200
Amarillo, Tx 79168
Phone Customer Service: (806) 376-4811
Phone and Email:
Jennifer K. Hancock, AQHA Director of Media Relations and Communications Specialist
(806) 376-4888 Ext. 4718
[email protected] - Ariat International - Ariat says, "We are proud to be part of the global community of people who have dedicated their lives to horses..., but if Ariat truly cared about horses they wouldn't sponsor an industry that maims and kills untold numbers every year.
3242 Whipple Road
Union City, CA 94587
PHONE TOLL FREE: 800-899-8141
FAX: 510-477-6900
EMAIL: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] - Bayer
- 100 Bayer Rd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15205-9741
Phone: 412-777-2000
Fax: 412-777-2034
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car - Team Animal Abuse EnterpriseNot satisfied being a part-time sponsor of animal cruelty, Enterprise Rent-A-Car has now given so much money to the animal abusers that they have been rewarded with a whole series of animal torture named after them. In fact, Enterprise is now wasting so much money on rodeo that it joins the big leagues with cheap beer manufacturers and chewing tobacco companies in having their own rodeo “tour”.
Why Does Coca-Cola Lie To Customers?
Coca-Cola has an official "Animal Welfare Policy" proclaiming:
"The Coca-Cola Company does not endorse or condone any practice of cruelty to animals, and the Company does not sponsor or promote events where there is a risk of physical harm to animals. Additionally, The Coca-Cola Company does not sponsor rodeos or bullfighting events. "
Coca-Cola denies sponsoring rodeo, but this photo tells the truth. Photo from the 2007 CFD Rodeo.However, Coca-Cola is a prominently displayed major sponsor at many of the world's largest rodeos, such as the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, the Pendleton Round-Up, and the Houston Rodeo. For years SHARK has documented abuse, injuries, and deaths at rodeos around the country, and made our investigative video and photos available to anyone via our sites such as RodeoCruelty.com and TheCruelTruth.com
So why is Coke sponsoring rodeos, in contradiction of the company's policy?
Amazingly, Coke blames its own bottlers. Coke claims the bottlers are able to do their own independent advertising without violating Coke's Animal Welfare Policy. This is ludicrous on its face. Coca-Cola obviously has strict control over its bottlers, and besides, the advertising is being done for Coke, not the local bottling company.
Coca-Cola has an official "Animal Welfare Policy" proclaiming:
"The Coca-Cola Company does not endorse or condone any practice of cruelty to animals, and the Company does not sponsor or promote events where there is a risk of physical harm to animals. Additionally, The Coca-Cola Company does not sponsor rodeos or bullfighting events. "
Coca-Cola denies sponsoring rodeo, but this photo tells the truth. Photo from the 2007 CFD Rodeo.However, Coca-Cola is a prominently displayed major sponsor at many of the world's largest rodeos, such as the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, the Pendleton Round-Up, and the Houston Rodeo. For years SHARK has documented abuse, injuries, and deaths at rodeos around the country, and made our investigative video and photos available to anyone via our sites such as RodeoCruelty.com and TheCruelTruth.com
So why is Coke sponsoring rodeos, in contradiction of the company's policy?
Amazingly, Coke blames its own bottlers. Coke claims the bottlers are able to do their own independent advertising without violating Coke's Animal Welfare Policy. This is ludicrous on its face. Coca-Cola obviously has strict control over its bottlers, and besides, the advertising is being done for Coke, not the local bottling company.
Coca-Cola likes to claim it is "The Real Thing." The only thing real is that Coke is giving animal abusers money, supporting cruelty, and showing itself to be a corporation that establishes progressive policies for public relations purposes only.
Here is Coca-Cola's latest response to all of your complaints, they have created a FAQ saying they don't support rodeo and instead they try and blame their own bottlers for all of the cruelty, torture, and death that they inflict upon rodeo animals.
See For Yourself Right Here.
Be sure and take note of Coke passing the buck and including a letter from the actual animal abusers themselves trying to justify their torture.
SHARK is determined to get Coca-Cola out of the animal abuse business!
You can help SHARK by sharing your thoughts about Coke's insensitivity with the company's CEO and President by emailing him at: [email protected]
Muhtar Kent
President and CEO
The Coca-Cola Company
P.O. Box 1734
Atlanta, GA 30301
[email protected]
Please also send a separate letter to the same address to the Board of Directors at Coca-Cola.
Phone: 770-989-3000
Toll Free! (800) 438-2653 (GET-COKE)
Email Coke on their web form by clicking here
Email Coca-Cola's Corporate Responsibility Review directly at [email protected]
Please forward any response you may receive from Coke to us at [email protected], so we can keep track of what corporate lie(s) they are handing out at any given moment:
Please go to the website of SHARK to read more about Coke-Cruelty.com and where you will find a sample letter to send as well as more usefull information
Here is Coca-Cola's latest response to all of your complaints, they have created a FAQ saying they don't support rodeo and instead they try and blame their own bottlers for all of the cruelty, torture, and death that they inflict upon rodeo animals.
See For Yourself Right Here.
Be sure and take note of Coke passing the buck and including a letter from the actual animal abusers themselves trying to justify their torture.
SHARK is determined to get Coca-Cola out of the animal abuse business!
You can help SHARK by sharing your thoughts about Coke's insensitivity with the company's CEO and President by emailing him at: [email protected]
Muhtar Kent
President and CEO
The Coca-Cola Company
P.O. Box 1734
Atlanta, GA 30301
[email protected]
Please also send a separate letter to the same address to the Board of Directors at Coca-Cola.
Phone: 770-989-3000
Toll Free! (800) 438-2653 (GET-COKE)
Email Coke on their web form by clicking here
Email Coca-Cola's Corporate Responsibility Review directly at [email protected]
Please forward any response you may receive from Coke to us at [email protected], so we can keep track of what corporate lie(s) they are handing out at any given moment:
Please go to the website of SHARK to read more about Coke-Cruelty.com and where you will find a sample letter to send as well as more usefull information
DodgeRodeoCruelty.com
There is a dark side to the company that only wants you to think about its Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep automobiles. Chrysler is one of the largest sponsors in the United States of the horrific "sport" of rodeo, supporting the barbaric and pointless abuse, injuries, and deaths of animals forced to "perform" in this industry.
In the United States, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) alone boasts that Chrysler spends over 6.6 million dollars annually to support its rodeo animal abuse. Chryser also sponsors another rodeo group, the National High School Rodeo Association, which teaches young people violence and cruelty, and still other rodeo organizations that spread animal abuse across the United States and Canada.
Chrysler's support of rodeo animal abuse could easily top 10 million dollars every year!
Even worse, Chrysler allows its dealers to sponsor bullfighting, which is just as cowardly, but even more cruel and deadly than rodeos. Efforts to talk to Chrysler about its sponsorship results only in meaningless form letters, and promises that the cruelty SHARK has video documented for years -- and has been exposed by local, national and international media -- is not occurring. Chrysler's apparent position is that if it simply ignores the mountains of evidence, the cruelty doesn't exist!
Please look at the pictures and video exposing Chrysler's support of horrific animal abuse. Remember the cruelty behind every Chrysler product. Chrysler supports rodeo and bullfighting cruelty from sales of the following automobiles:
Do Chrysler executives really know about the issue of rodeo and bullfighting animal abuse? Absolutely! SHARK president Steve Hindi and his assistant Donna Hertel traveled to Berlin, Germany in April 2001 for Daimler Chrysler's annual shareholders meeting. They were joined by German activist, Mathilde Mench. Both Steve and Mathilde spoke in front of thousands of DaimlerChrysler shareholders and executives about the company's sponsorship of bullfighting and rodeos. Ms. Mench and Mr. Hindi were both applauded by the shareholders, who clearly did NOT support the company's cruel sponsorships.
After Ms. Mench spoke, she boldly walked right up to the stage where the executives were sitting, and handed rodeo and bullfighting video footage to a shocked Dr. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of DaimlerChrysler in the United States. German CEO Jürgen E. Schrempp was also involved. Mr. Schrempp publicly stated that DaimlerChrysler was investigating the animal issues raised by Steve Hindi and Mathilde Mench.
SHARK has met its burden of proof by handing over documentation of the charges. We stand ready to answer questions from company officials, should any exist. But in fact, the video footage of rodeos and bullfighting are extremely graphic and clear.
Why are Chrysler officials refusing to deal with this issue? Clearly this calls into question Chrysler's corporate responsibility and integrity. If Chrysler makes quality products, why does it feel it must support cruelty? Is Chrysler unable to make a profit without pandering to animal abusers?
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
The best way to oppose the cruelty of Chrysler is to:
(1) buy a different make of automobile so that your money won't be used to promote animal abuse.
(2) please tell Chrysler to stop their support of this cruel industry.
Contact Dodge and Chrysler
Phone: 1-800-992-1997
Mail: Dodge Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 21-8004
Auburn Hills, MI 48321-8004
Email DODGE
Please send SHARK a copy of any response you may receive from anyone at Chrysler. You can send the response to:
SHARK
PO Box 28
Geneva, IL 60134
Phone: 630-557-0176
[email protected]
Please click HERE to read Chrysler's Outrageous Responses to Concerned Consumers at the website of SHARK.
There is a dark side to the company that only wants you to think about its Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep automobiles. Chrysler is one of the largest sponsors in the United States of the horrific "sport" of rodeo, supporting the barbaric and pointless abuse, injuries, and deaths of animals forced to "perform" in this industry.
In the United States, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) alone boasts that Chrysler spends over 6.6 million dollars annually to support its rodeo animal abuse. Chryser also sponsors another rodeo group, the National High School Rodeo Association, which teaches young people violence and cruelty, and still other rodeo organizations that spread animal abuse across the United States and Canada.
Chrysler's support of rodeo animal abuse could easily top 10 million dollars every year!
Even worse, Chrysler allows its dealers to sponsor bullfighting, which is just as cowardly, but even more cruel and deadly than rodeos. Efforts to talk to Chrysler about its sponsorship results only in meaningless form letters, and promises that the cruelty SHARK has video documented for years -- and has been exposed by local, national and international media -- is not occurring. Chrysler's apparent position is that if it simply ignores the mountains of evidence, the cruelty doesn't exist!
Please look at the pictures and video exposing Chrysler's support of horrific animal abuse. Remember the cruelty behind every Chrysler product. Chrysler supports rodeo and bullfighting cruelty from sales of the following automobiles:
- Chrysler
- Dodge
- Jeep
- Global Electric Motorcars
- Mopar
- Chrysler Financial
Do Chrysler executives really know about the issue of rodeo and bullfighting animal abuse? Absolutely! SHARK president Steve Hindi and his assistant Donna Hertel traveled to Berlin, Germany in April 2001 for Daimler Chrysler's annual shareholders meeting. They were joined by German activist, Mathilde Mench. Both Steve and Mathilde spoke in front of thousands of DaimlerChrysler shareholders and executives about the company's sponsorship of bullfighting and rodeos. Ms. Mench and Mr. Hindi were both applauded by the shareholders, who clearly did NOT support the company's cruel sponsorships.
After Ms. Mench spoke, she boldly walked right up to the stage where the executives were sitting, and handed rodeo and bullfighting video footage to a shocked Dr. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of DaimlerChrysler in the United States. German CEO Jürgen E. Schrempp was also involved. Mr. Schrempp publicly stated that DaimlerChrysler was investigating the animal issues raised by Steve Hindi and Mathilde Mench.
SHARK has met its burden of proof by handing over documentation of the charges. We stand ready to answer questions from company officials, should any exist. But in fact, the video footage of rodeos and bullfighting are extremely graphic and clear.
Why are Chrysler officials refusing to deal with this issue? Clearly this calls into question Chrysler's corporate responsibility and integrity. If Chrysler makes quality products, why does it feel it must support cruelty? Is Chrysler unable to make a profit without pandering to animal abusers?
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
The best way to oppose the cruelty of Chrysler is to:
(1) buy a different make of automobile so that your money won't be used to promote animal abuse.
(2) please tell Chrysler to stop their support of this cruel industry.
Contact Dodge and Chrysler
Phone: 1-800-992-1997
Mail: Dodge Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 21-8004
Auburn Hills, MI 48321-8004
Email DODGE
Please send SHARK a copy of any response you may receive from anyone at Chrysler. You can send the response to:
SHARK
PO Box 28
Geneva, IL 60134
Phone: 630-557-0176
[email protected]
Please click HERE to read Chrysler's Outrageous Responses to Concerned Consumers at the website of SHARK.
Please sign our online petition that reads:
To:
The President of the United States and the Governors of the following states:
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Florida
Idaho
Kansas
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Jersey
New Mexico
Nevada
Oklahoma
Oregon
Texas
Utah
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming
as well as the governments of:
Canada
Mexico
Brazil
Argentina
Chile
and Australia
BAN RODEO SHOWS!
Anyone with a heart knows it's wrong to clothesline a baby animal, body slam it to the ground, tie its legs so it can’t move, and drag it by the neck.
If this were done to a puppy or kitten, the offender would understandably be charged with a crime, and likely be jailed. In rodeos, however, it's called calf roping, and supporters claim it’s a sport.
But the abuse of baby cows is just one of rodeo’s cruelties...
In rodeo events, such as calf roping, steer wrestling, bareback horse and bull riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, steer roping, and barrel racing, normally docile animals are physically provoked into displaying "wild" behavior in order to make the cowboys look brave.
Electric prods, spurs, and bucking straps are used to irritate and enrage animals used in rodeos. Before entering the ring, cows and horses are often prodded with an electrical "hotshot" so that the pain will rile them.
The flank (or "bucking") strap is tightly cinched around the animals' abdomens, causing them to buck vigorously in an attempt to escape the pain. The flank strap can cause open wounds and burns when the hair is rubbed off and the skin is chafed raw. Former animal control officers have found burrs and other irritants placed under the flank strap.
Rodeo cowboys voluntarily risk injury by participating in events, but the animals they use have no such choice. Countless animals in rodeos have suffered broken ribs, backs, and legs; punctured lungs; deep internal organ bruising; haemorrhaging; ripped tendons; torn ligaments and muscles; snapped necks; and agonizing deaths.
The late Dr. C.G. Haber, a veterinarian who spent 30 years as a federal meat inspector, saw many animals from rodeos sold to the slaughterhouses he inspected. He described seeing animals "with 6-8 ribs broken from the spine, and at times puncturing the lungs." Haber saw animals with "as much as 2-3 gallons of free blood accumulated under the detached skin."
The undersigned of this petition call on the President and the Governors of those States where rodeo is still legal, to ban this cruel practice. Events that promote violence and cruelty should no longer be tolerated in a civilized society.
While proponents of rodeo shows claim it is a sport, we, the undersigned, do not agree with this definition because sport, by definition, does not include involuntary participants.
Rodeo shows are just needless animal cruelty. The animals suffer tremendously before and during such shows and as we all know, cruelty against animals also harms society as a whole; it signals and normalizes insensitivity in children who can become numb to the suffering of living beings. It is also known to influence certain people to commit violence to other humans.
Those events were maybe okay at times when people did not know better, but, as with all civilisations and generations of human beings, time moves forward and we learn and grow and we (should) realize that things we did years ago were wrong, outdated and/or no longer accepted by other members of our society.
While many governments worldwide promote non-violent cultural practices and forms of entertainment and while some countries have even already banned the use of animals in circuses and other shows, we believe that the United States of America and the other mentioned countries should also move forward in direction of a more compassionate society and take the important step to stop abusing animals as a mean of entertainment such as in rodeo shows (and others).
We implore you to end these violent, useless practice!
Until such a time, we ask that all people of conscience and compassion stop supporting rodeo cruelty and this whole industry by boycotting not only these events but also their sponsors.
Please SIGN at the link:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/ban-rodeo-shows-in-all-american-states.html
Thank you in advance for your signature and for sharing this petition with others.
The President of the United States and the Governors of the following states:
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Florida
Idaho
Kansas
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Jersey
New Mexico
Nevada
Oklahoma
Oregon
Texas
Utah
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming
as well as the governments of:
Canada
Mexico
Brazil
Argentina
Chile
and Australia
BAN RODEO SHOWS!
Anyone with a heart knows it's wrong to clothesline a baby animal, body slam it to the ground, tie its legs so it can’t move, and drag it by the neck.
If this were done to a puppy or kitten, the offender would understandably be charged with a crime, and likely be jailed. In rodeos, however, it's called calf roping, and supporters claim it’s a sport.
But the abuse of baby cows is just one of rodeo’s cruelties...
In rodeo events, such as calf roping, steer wrestling, bareback horse and bull riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, steer roping, and barrel racing, normally docile animals are physically provoked into displaying "wild" behavior in order to make the cowboys look brave.
Electric prods, spurs, and bucking straps are used to irritate and enrage animals used in rodeos. Before entering the ring, cows and horses are often prodded with an electrical "hotshot" so that the pain will rile them.
The flank (or "bucking") strap is tightly cinched around the animals' abdomens, causing them to buck vigorously in an attempt to escape the pain. The flank strap can cause open wounds and burns when the hair is rubbed off and the skin is chafed raw. Former animal control officers have found burrs and other irritants placed under the flank strap.
Rodeo cowboys voluntarily risk injury by participating in events, but the animals they use have no such choice. Countless animals in rodeos have suffered broken ribs, backs, and legs; punctured lungs; deep internal organ bruising; haemorrhaging; ripped tendons; torn ligaments and muscles; snapped necks; and agonizing deaths.
The late Dr. C.G. Haber, a veterinarian who spent 30 years as a federal meat inspector, saw many animals from rodeos sold to the slaughterhouses he inspected. He described seeing animals "with 6-8 ribs broken from the spine, and at times puncturing the lungs." Haber saw animals with "as much as 2-3 gallons of free blood accumulated under the detached skin."
The undersigned of this petition call on the President and the Governors of those States where rodeo is still legal, to ban this cruel practice. Events that promote violence and cruelty should no longer be tolerated in a civilized society.
While proponents of rodeo shows claim it is a sport, we, the undersigned, do not agree with this definition because sport, by definition, does not include involuntary participants.
Rodeo shows are just needless animal cruelty. The animals suffer tremendously before and during such shows and as we all know, cruelty against animals also harms society as a whole; it signals and normalizes insensitivity in children who can become numb to the suffering of living beings. It is also known to influence certain people to commit violence to other humans.
Those events were maybe okay at times when people did not know better, but, as with all civilisations and generations of human beings, time moves forward and we learn and grow and we (should) realize that things we did years ago were wrong, outdated and/or no longer accepted by other members of our society.
While many governments worldwide promote non-violent cultural practices and forms of entertainment and while some countries have even already banned the use of animals in circuses and other shows, we believe that the United States of America and the other mentioned countries should also move forward in direction of a more compassionate society and take the important step to stop abusing animals as a mean of entertainment such as in rodeo shows (and others).
We implore you to end these violent, useless practice!
Until such a time, we ask that all people of conscience and compassion stop supporting rodeo cruelty and this whole industry by boycotting not only these events but also their sponsors.
Please SIGN at the link:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/ban-rodeo-shows-in-all-american-states.html
Thank you in advance for your signature and for sharing this petition with others.
July 1st, 2012
'Horse tripping' video fuels debate over Oregon rodeo event
JORDAN VALLEY -- A bill to ban "horse tripping" in Oregon went nowhere last year after rodeo advocates convinced lawmakers that the practice doesn't happen at the state's big competitions.
Critics also worried that the prohibition might lead people to go after calf and steer roping next -- both crowd-pleasing rodeo staples.
But a new YouTube video (see next video) getting thousands of hits is renewing the call to make it a crime for cowboys to lasso horses around their necks and forelegs. The clip -- made by animal rights activists at the Jordan Valley Big Loop Rodeo in May in southeastern Oregon -- shows horses crashing into the dirt, sometimes on their snouts and heads after the rope circles their legs.
"Truly horrific and outrageously cruel," said Scott Beckstead of Sutherlin, senior Oregon director of the Humane Society of the United States. "The harder they fell, the louder people cheered."
Beckstead wants Oregon to follow Oklahoma, Arizona and Texas and ban events that feature horse tripping. "It is animal abuse, there is no other way of looking at it," he said.
The event causes rope burns, leg injuries, extreme fear in horses and other problems, said Barbara Kahl, a Yamhill veterinarian and head of United Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a horse rescue group. "It's a horrible sport," she said.
Equally forceful advocates defend the practice.
"We don't call it horse tripping, it's horse roping," said Jordan Valley rancher, author and stagecoach builder Mike Hanley, who notes that he's roped and upended a few horses himself when necessary on his 1,000-cow spread.
It's a humane technique for capturing and restraining untamed horses to treat injuries, brand or castrate them when corrals and chutes aren't available, he said. It's less likely to injure the animal than catching it by the hind legs, Hanley said.
In "big loop" contests in Jordan Valley and elsewhere, the custom often involves 100-foot ropes with 20-foot loops.
Fewer than 1 percent of horses roped at the rodeo -- an event since 1958 -- have been injured, said Idaho rancher Dennis Stanford, secretary of the Jordan Valley Big Loop Rodeo board of directors.
"It's a way of showing our heritage, our culture and how it was done and how it's still done," Stanford said.
'Ranch rodeos'
Jordan Valley, population 181, is roughly 480 miles east of Portland, and just getting here from the north requires a 40-mile detour into Idaho on a road that passes such rustic-sounding places as Succor Creek, Jump Creek and Coyote Gulch. Still standing in its downtown is Oregon's last remaining Basque fronton, a 35-foot-tall stone court built in 1915 for playing pelota, or handball.
The practice is likeliest to be found at remote "ranch rodeos" like the one here where contestants are working ranchers, cowhands and buckaroos who don't follow the professional rodeo circuit, said Cindy Schonholtz, spokeswoman for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in Colorado Springs. The PRCA doesn't sanction horse roping and tripping.
Horse roping is scheduled to be part of the July 7 Harney County Ranch Rodeo in Burns, another traditional, old-time rodeo for ranchers and cowboys.
The Pendleton Round-Up doesn't include horse roping among its events, said Randy Thomas, spokesman for the 102-year old Wild West extravaganza, planned Sept. 12-15 this year in Pendleton. The Round-Up is Oregon's biggest rodeo.
Still, Dennis Hunt, president of the Pendleton Round-Up Association, expressed concern in a letter last year about "possible unintended consequences of SB 613 that may interfere with current practices used in horse training, rodeo, ranching and other acts that do not injure the horse" if the ban passed.
The letter went to state Sen. David Nelson of Pendleton, one of the bipartisan bill's sponsors, who later withdrew his support. The letter noted that while the measure's wording was aimed at "equine tripping," the language appeared to go much further "and could possibly be misinterpreted if this bill were to become law."
It would have made it a Class B misdemeanor and imposed a $2,500 fine and up to six months behind bars for a violation. Another horse roping bill probably will be introduced in the next legislative session, but Nelson wouldn't comment on its chances.
Video controversy
The video now making the rounds was filmed by a group called Showing Animals Respect and Kindness. It includes footage of a horse with a broken leg, but the injury happened in a bucking contest at the Jordan Valley rodeo, not in a roping event.
Rodeo backers said the clip is deliberately misleading and unfairly depicts contestants and the audience as heartless. They also claim part of the video was taken somewhere else.
Steve Hindi of Geneva, Ill., president of the group, said the video is all from Jordan Valley.
Hindi doesn't buy the argument that ranchers typically employ horse tripping to manage their stock. "Let's just pretend they used to do it that way, they don't need to do it now," Hindi said. "Consider the victim: Was the horse having a good time? Decidedly not."
The Humane Society's Beckstead said he understands the demands of ranch life and wants horse tripping halted only for recreation, sport or entertainment.
It doesn't belong in rodeos even if the event has endured for years, Beckstead said.
"I would argue that culture and tradition have long been the primary means throughout human history of justifying the very worst forms of human behavior," he said.
-- Richard Cockle - OregonLive