NEW poll shows significant increase in public opposition to rodeo 

Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur \ We Animals Media

• New polling shows public opposition to many rodeo events and to government funding of these events has skyrocketed since polling was last conducted in February. 
• This new polling data comes after the deadliest year for animals at the Calgary Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races since 2019.  
• Four animals were killed this year – three horses sustained serious injuries during the chuckwagon races and a steer’s neck was snapped during a steer wrestling event. 
• TAKE ACTION: Sign & share the #SayNoToRodeo pledge and send a message to Calgary City Council and Stampede organizers calling for the rodeo and chuckwagon races to be removed from the Stampede program. 

New poll: significant increase in public opposition to rodeo events and government funding of them 

A new Research Co. poll shows opposition to rodeo and chuckwagon events in Canada increased between February and July. The five events included in the poll were:

• Calf roping (opposition rose from 60% to 68%)
• Steer wrestling (61% to 67%)
• Bull riding (55% to 58%)
• Bronc riding (55% to 60%)
• Chuckwagon racing (53% to 59%). 

Local opposition to animal events within Calgary is also growing. Four of the five events were opposed by a majority of Calgarians in the July poll, compared to just one event in February. More than half of people polled in Calgary opposed calf roping, steer wrestling, bronc riding, and chuckwagon racing.   

The new polling also reflected stronger public opposition to the government funding of rodeo events, with Canada-wide opposition rising from 65% in February to 71% in July. In Calgary, opposition jumped significantly from from 51% to 67%.

2024 Calgary Stampede fatalities 

The 2024 Calgary Stampede was the deadliest for animals since 2019. This year, four animals were killed during the rodeo and chuckwagon races.

• Three horses were euthanized after sustaining serious injuries during the chuckwagon races.
• A steer’s neck was snapped during a steer wrestling event. 

This brings the total number of known animal deaths at the Calgary Stampede to 109 since the VHS began tracking in 1986. 

Animal suffering at the Calgary Stampede rodeo & chuckwagon races 

Fatalities aren’t the only concern at the Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races. The reality is that these events rely on the use of fear, stress, and discomfort to make the animals “perform” for public entertainment. Inhumane tools and practices incite fleeing and bucking in these sensitive prey animals.  

Animals demonstrate visible signs of stress during rodeo events, including:

• the presence of “eye white” when their eyes roll back;
• excessive drooling;
• vocalization;
• resisting handlers;
• urination; and
• defecation.

Research demonstrates that calves experience acute stress and negative emotional states when they are chased and roped.    

Many rodeo events contradict industry requirements for the handling of farmed animals, which state that quiet handling techniques must be used, and that abusive handling is unacceptable. If these same rodeo practices were used outside of the rodeo arena, they would be illegal.