Fourth animal euthanized in the Calgary Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races

Calgary Stampede incident, July 13, 2024 results in fourth animal death at Stampede events this year
In the eighth heat of the races last night, on July 13th, a horse on Obrey Motowylo’s team suffered a fracture and was euthanized. Three other animals have also been euthanized at this year’s Stampede: two horses used in the chuckwagon races on July 5th and 6th, and a steer used in a steer wrestling event on July 8th.

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VANCOUVER, July 14, 2024 – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is calling for an end to the Calgary Stampede’s inhumane rodeo and chuckwagon races after a fourth animal has died in this year’s events.

In the eighth heat of the races last night, on July 13^th, a horse on Obrey Motowylo’s team suffered a fracture and was euthanized. Three other animals have also been euthanized at this year’s Stampede: two horses used in the chuckwagon races on July 5^th and 6^th, and a steer used in a steer wrestling event on July 8^th.

In total, 109 animals have been killed in the Calgary Stampede’s animal events since the VHS began tracking fatalities in 1986.

“It’s devastating to see yet another animal has lost their life in this event,” said VHS Communications Director Chantelle Archambault. “These animals are suffering and dying almost every year so humans can have a few hours of entertainment. Enough is enough.”

This is the deadliest year in the chuckwagon races since 2019, when six horses lost their lives. The high number of fatalities prompted the Stampede to reduce the number of wagons on the track from four to three; but horses have continued to die in the races each year they have been held since then.

“We continue to see that these changes are not successful in making the events safe for animals,” Archambault said.

The VHS pointed to the inherent risks associated with chuckwagon racing, including the extremely fast pace, the close proximity of horses and wagons, and the use of thoroughbred horses who are bred for speed, rather than skeletal strength.

Only 38% of Canadians and 44% of Albertans agree with the use of horses in chuckwagon racing, according to a Research Co. poll commissioned by the VHS in February 2024.

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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society

For more information, contact Chantelle Archambault: 604-416-2903, chantelle@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca