New footage shows improper electric prod use at Coombs rodeo

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VANCOUVER, September 3, 2024 – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has filed a cruelty complaint with the BC SPCA after footage from We Animals Media revealed inhumane electric prod use and other serious welfare concerns at a recent rodeo in Coombs on Vancouver Island.

The footage was taken by animal photojournalist Jordan Rivers at the Bulls, Broncs & Barrels event between August 17^th and 18^th at the Coombs Rodeo Grounds.

One video shows a horse named Ridge Runner crashing into the back fence of a bucking chute during a saddle bronc event. The stressed animal is heard vocalizing as he falls to the ground and remains down for more than two minutes. Handlers drag the horse by a rope tied to his front legs and a tarp is used to prevent the public from seeing what is happening. Behind the tarp, the horse thrashes on the ground to get up, but with his front legs tied he is unable to. A handler is seen kicking the horse in the head twice. Eventually, the horse is able to get up, but appears unsteady before leaving the arena.

Another clip shows the repeated use of an electric prod on a stressed bull, including while his leg is caught between the bars of a fence and when he is already moving in the desired direction. Canadian regulations around electric prods state that “repeated prodding of the same animal is not acceptable under any circumstances,” and forbid the use of electric prods on animals that cannot move due to physical barriers or “on an animal already in motion to speed it up”.

Rivers noted, “The visible resistance and nervousness exhibited by so many animals that weekend underscores their reluctance as unwilling participants. Force seemed to be the only means used to ensure their compliance.”

“Right now, the B.C. government funds many rodeo events through the Ministry of Tourism’s Fairs, Festivals and Events Fund, but it doesn’t fund enforcement of animal welfare regulations at rodeo events,” said VHS Campaign Director Emily Pickett. “That means it’s up to individual advocates like Jordan and organizations like We Animals Media and the VHS to monitor and report when there are violations.”

This is the second time the VHS has identified electric prod use that appears to violate regulations out of five rodeos monitored to date this rodeo season. These rodeo events have raised concerns about animal welfare involving consistently visible signs of stress and deliberate agitation of animals. Pickett points out that without proactive enforcement funded by the government, many incidents are likely going unaddressed.

According to recent polling from Research Co., a growing majority of British Columbians are opposed to the use of animals in rodeo events – 66% are opposed to bronc riding and bull riding, 75% opposed to steer wrestling, and 77% opposed to calf roping. 83% are opposed to the government funding of rodeo events.

Pickett said, “People in our province care deeply about animals and do not want their tax dollars paying for animals to be harmed.”

In addition to filing a cruelty complaint, the VHS is calling on the B.C. government to do more to protect animals from suffering in rodeo events. Anyone who wishes to join the call for action can send a quick, pre-written message to the provincial government through the VHS website.

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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society

For more information, contact Emily Pickett: 604-416-2903, emily@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca

For comments from We Animals Media, contact media@weanimals.org