Controversy over animal cruelty at August’s Chilliwack Fair rodeo grew after VHS obtained photos of an electric prod in use at the rodeo’s bull-riding event. The photos showed a cowboy wielding a “hot-shot” electric prod behind the chutes just before bulls were released into the arena. VHS submitted a formal complaint about the prod to the Chilliwack Fair but has received no response.
The photos attracted considerable media attention, adding to the pressure created by VHS’s campaign against cruel rodeo events at the fair. The campaign even gained the support of celebrity Pamela Anderson who spoke out on social media against the rodeo, which drew yet more attention to our campaign.
A poll commissioned by VHS in September found that most Chilliwack residents are against the fair’s rodeo, with 52 per cent opposed and 40 per cent in favour. These results were provided to candidates running for Chilliwack mayor and city council. (To see their responses check here.) VHS is relentlessly eroding support for the rodeo, which we are determined to curtail.
You can email the Chilliwack Fair at info@chilliwackfair.com or write to them at Chilliwack Agricultural Society, 7590 Lickman Road, Chilliwack, B.C., V2R 4A7.
VHS also drew public attention to an “extreme rodeo” event held at Abbotsford’s Exhibition Park in September, releasing a video showing bulls being abused and tormented. We complained to Abbotsford City Council, which owns the venue but received no response. You can contact the council to urge them to stop rodeo events from returning to city venues in future by emailing info@abbotsford.ca or writing to: Mayor and Council, City of Abbotsford, 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, B.C., V2T 1W7