Roping, bucking, wrestling and mutton busting events at rodeos subject animals to fear, discomfort, stress and an unnecessary risk of injury, all for the sake of entertainment. Photos and videos taken at rodeos in British Columbia highlight these animal welfare issues and reiterate the need for stronger municipal bylaws.
Inhumane rodeo events, practices & tools
Recent footage from B.C. rodeos reveals numerous animal welfare issues, including stressed and frightened animals being roughly handled and deliberately agitated into fleeing and bucking. Watch the video below to see how inhumane practices and tools cause animal suffering in rodeo events.
The flank strap is tied around a bucking horse or bull’s sensitive hindquarters, creating pressure and discomfort that leads them to buck in an effort to remove the strap. Points are also awarded to the rider based on their use of spurs on the animal.
Many rodeo events, such as roping, bucking and wrestling events, involve rough handling which puts animals at risk of serious injury and death.
Injuries can include broken bones, neck and spinal injuries or internal damage, and can take up to 48 hours after the injury occurs to be identified.
Research shows that calves experience elevated stress hormones and visible signs of anxiety, fear and stress when being chased and roped in rodeo events.
Animals used in rodeos are prey animals who react to fear or stress by exhibiting a fight, flight or freeze response. A common sign of stress seen in animals used in rodeo events is when their eyes roll to show more of the white area. This may be their way of blocking their view of the stressor.
Animals used in rodeos are prey animals who react to fear or stress by exhibiting a fight, flight or freeze response. A common sign of stress seen in animals used in rodeo events is excessive salivation.
In mutton busting, a child climbs on the back of a restrained sheep, who is released from the chute and flees while the child attempts to hold on for as long as possible. As prey animals who feel vulnerable when separated from their flock, this is an incredibly stressful situation.
Rodeos include timed, fast-paced events that involve rough handling of animals. This is contradictory to the animal agriculture industry’s requirements for quiet, low-stress handling of animals on farms. The same mistreatment of animals in the rodeo arena would be considered animal cruelty if observed on a farm.