Category: Media Release

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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  

Related links:

https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/posts/b-c-rodeo-footage-prompts-cruelty-complaint-while-government-continues-funding-take-action

https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/Factum_VHS_13Aug2024.pdf  

Related media: https://youtu.be/ODnlzR9k8B4 (Horse kicked in head at 03:30-03:37) 

Original footage from We Animals Media: 

• https://stock.weanimalsmedia.org/search/?searchQuery=WAM40583&assetType=default: Electric prod used on bull repeatedly and with leg caught between bars 

• https://stock.weanimalsmedia.org/search/?searchQuery=WAM40582&assetType=default: Horse slams into back of chute and falls 

• https://stock.weanimalsmedia.org/search/?searchQuery=WAM40581&assetType=default: Horse’s front legs are tied, horse is examined then kicked in the head to stand up 

• https://stock.weanimalsmedia.org/search/?searchQuery=WAM40500&assetType=default: Bull is repeatedly prodded with an electric prod while in a chute 

• https://stock.weanimalsmedia.org/search/?searchQuery=WAM40501&assetType=default: Bull is prodded while in a chute 

• https://stock.weanimalsmedia.org/search/?searchQuery=WAM40502&assetType=default: Bull is repeatedly prodded with an electric prod while in a chute 

• https://stock.weanimalsmedia.org/search/?searchQuery=WAM40568&assetType=default: Two bulls are repeatedly prodded, including one bull whose path is blocked by the other 

• https://stock.weanimalsmedia.org/search/?searchQuery=WAM40584&assetType=default: A calf is smacked in the chute while their tail is held/twisted 

• https://stock.weanimalsmedia.org/search/?searchQuery=WAM40498&assetType=default: A bull is kicked in the back while inside a bucking chute 

• https://stock.weanimalsmedia.org/search/?searchQuery=WAM40499&assetType=default: Bull in bucking chute is repeatedly smacked in the face 

• https://stock.weanimalsmedia.org/search/?searchQuery=WAM40576&assetType=default: A horse is jabbed with a sorting stick 

• https://stock.weanimalsmedia.org/search/?searchQuery=WAM40593&assetType=default: A horse in a bucking chute trembles with fear 

VANCOUVER, August 22, 2024 – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is speaking out after another horse was euthanized at Hastings Racecourse earlier this month. 

On August 9^th, a 2-year-old horse named Kiki’s Song of Life sustained a compound fracture in his left front leg during a timed workout and was subsequently euthanized, BC’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) confirmed.  

This is the second known death of B.C.’s racing season this year, after 3-year-old Lizzie’s Rayne lost her life in May. Last year, eleven horses died at B.C.’s two racecourses – eight at Hastings and three at Fraser Downs.    

“We are very saddened to hear of another horse death in B.C.’s racing industry,” said VHS’s Campaign Director, Emily Pickett. “We know that horses are sentient, intelligent animals who have thoughts and feelings and who experience stress, fear, and pain in this industry.” 

Horse well-being has been making headlines worldwide. It was recently announced that show jumping will be removed from the modern pentathlon at the next Olympics, and polling from last month shows a significant increase in opposition to chuckwagon racing across Canada. Meanwhile, a recent study has found that horses plan ahead and think strategically, leading researchers to note that aversive training methods are not necessary in horse training. 

“With horse welfare being increasingly highlighted in the media, it’s clear that more people are realizing animals are not here for our entertainment.” 

The VHS continues to call on the public not to attend horse racing events. To date, more than 2,000 people have taken the pledge not to attend horse races due to the welfare issues associated with training and the risk of serious injury and death. 

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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society     

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

Related links:  https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/posts/another-horse-fatality-at-hastings-racecourse/

Vancouver, August 8, 2024 — A recent poll conducted by Research Co. from July 23 to July 25, 2024 has revealed a significant increase in Canadian opposition to rodeo events and government funding for these activities. 

The poll results find a rising rejection of the inhumane use of animals in entertainment. The percentage of Canadians who are opposed to the use of animals in all five events included on the survey increased between February and July: calf roping (opposition rose from 60% to 68%), steer wrestling (61% to 67%), bull riding (55% to 58%), bronc riding (55% to 60%), and 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 survey, compared to just one event in February. More than half of people surveyed in Calgary opposed calf roping, steer wrestling, bronc riding, and chuckwagon racing. 

“It’s staggering to see such a significant change in just a few short months,” said Chantelle Archambault, Communications Director for the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS). “It seems that after the animal fatalities at this year’s Calgary Stampede, these risky events are becoming more indefensible to the public.” 

The new survey results come just weeks after four animals died at the Calgary Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races. Three horses used in chuckwagon racing and one steer used in steer wrestling were euthanized after sustaining serious injuries, marking at least 109 animal deaths at the Stampede’s events since the VHS began tracking fatalities in 1986. 

The survey also showed stronger opposition to the government funding of rodeo events, with Canada-wide opposition rising from 65% in February to 71% in July. Among Calgarians, disagreement with the government funding of rodeo has risen significantly from 51% to 67%. 

These results indicate a notable shift in public opinion towards greater concern for animal welfare and increased skepticism regarding the use of taxpayer funds for these highly controversial animal events. The Vancouver Humane Society is calling for an end to Calgary Stampede’s use of animals for rodeo events and chuckwagon racing. 

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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society  

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

Related links:  

https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/Factum_VHS_13Aug2024.pdf

https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Deaths-at-the-Calgary-Stampede-1986-to-July-2024.pdf

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.

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

Related links:  

https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Factum_VHS_26Feb2024-1.pdf

https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Deaths-at-the-Calgary-Stampede-1986-to-July-2024.pdf

Related media: https://youtu.be/GqRHSUIFKTs 

Apparent fatal neck injury at Calgary Stampede steer wrestling, July 8, 2024

Footage from the Calgary Stampede on July 8, 2024 shows a steer being wrestled to the ground. He appears to sustain a fatal neck injury before staff rush into the arena with medical kits and a member of the crowd makes a motion indicating he has been euthanized. Footage: Sportsnet.

VANCOUVER, July 9, 2024 – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is speaking out after three animal deaths were reported in the first four days of the Calgary Stampede. 

Media reports have announced that a horse who raced on Danny Ringuette’s team sustained an injury due to wagon interference during the sixth heat on Friday, July 5th and was euthanized. 

 The Stampede has also stated that an outrider horse on Chance Thomson’s team sustained a serious injury on Saturday, July 6th and was euthanized. The second heat, in which Thomson raced, was not aired on Sportsnet, with announcers citing an issue involving another team where the driver fell off a wagon. 

The Stampede confirmed that a steer was euthanized due to a serious injury in a steer wrestling event on Monday, July 8th. The VHS noted that the injury was a result of the inherently inhumane nature of the event, in which a contestant twists a steer’s neck back until he falls to the ground. 

The Stampede called Monday’s incident “highly unusual and unfortunate,” a statement that VHS Campaign Director Emily Pickett questions.  

“We know that animals die almost every year at the Calgary Stampede,” said Pickett, “but this year animals have died almost every day.” 

These incidents mark 108 animal deaths in the Calgary Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races since the VHS began tracking fatalities in 1986. 

A rodeo supporter contacted the VHS to say, “We did not know these were things we were going to see at the rodeo. The calf roping was also shocking. This will be the last rodeo we attend.” 

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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society 

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

Related links: https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/posts/tell-the-calgary-stampede-to-cut-the-cruelty

Related media: https://youtu.be/5NBapNZuL00  

Apparent fatal neck injury at Calgary Stampede steer wrestling, July 8, 2024

Footage from the Calgary Stampede on July 8, 2024 shows a steer being wrestled to the ground. He appears to sustain a fatal neck injury before staff rush into the arena with medical kits and a member of the crowd makes a motion indicating he has been euthanized. Footage: Sportsnet.

VANCOUVER, July 9, 2024 – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is calling for an end to the Calgary Stampede’s deadly animal events after Monday’s steer wrestling event, which appeared to result in a fatal injury. 

Footage from Sportsnet reveals contestant Stetson Jorgensen twisting a steer’s neck back; the steer falls to the ground, remaining stiff and motionless. Jorgensen appears panicked, and the camera quickly cuts away from the animal as staff rush into the arena with medical kits. A member of the audience then makes a slicing motion across her neck, indicating the animal’s apparent death. 

The VHS has inquired about the status of the steer in an email to the Calgary Stampede, but has not yet received a response.

Between 1986, when the VHS began tracking fatalities, and 2023, 105 animals lost their lives in the rodeo and chuckwagon races. 

VHS Campaign Director, Emily Pickett, said the VHS has been advocating for an end to the Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races for decades. “How many animals will die in these events before the Calgary Stampede does the right thing and leaves them in the past?” 

In addition to the risk of death rodeo events pose, the VHS has raised concerns that events involving roping, bucking, and wrestling animals are inherently inhumane. 

“You don’t need to be an animal behaviour expert to see the fear in the eyes of a steer being wrestled to the ground,” said Pickett, “but we still have research proving that animals experience visible signs of stress and elevated stress hormones in rodeos.” 

Public approval of rodeo events continues to fall in the wake of near-annual incidents and a growing awareness about animal well-being. Only 31% of Canadians and 39% of Albertans agree with the use of animals in steer wrestling, according to a Research Co. poll commissioned by the VHS in February 2024.  

The VHS is urging Stampede organizers and decision-makers to drop the deadly and inhumane rodeo and chuckwagon events from the Stampede program. The VHS is also encouraging the public to sign a pledge not to attend the rodeo and chuckwagon races as part of its Rodeo Truth project, run in collaboration with concerned Calgarians. The pledge will be shared with decision-makers to reflect public opposition of the inhumane events. 

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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society 

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

Related links: 

https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Deaths-at-the-Calgary-Stampede-1986-to-July-2023.pdf

https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Factum_VHS_26Feb2024.pdf

Related media: https://youtu.be/Kc6Sb3XcMXw 

Cruelty allegations at the 2024 Clinton rodeo

New footage from the 2024 Clinton rodeo in British Columbia captures concerning treatment of animals, including rough handling, risk of injury, and stress and fear responses in animals. Take action to support an end to inhumane rodeo events at: vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/rodeos

VANCOUVER, July 8, 2024 – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has submitted an animal cruelty report to the BC SPCA and is calling for government action after footage from a rodeo held in Clinton in May captured inhumane and possibly illegal handling of animals. 

In one particularly concerning clip, a stressed bull resists handlers’ attempts to move the animal in the pens next to the arena. The clip goes on to show handlers kicking the bull, twisting his tail and using an electric prod on the animal repeatedly, including prodding the animal on the anus. 

The handling seen in this footage appears to violate rules around the use of electric prods, which prohibit the use of a prod on sensitive areas, including the animal’s anus. The rules also prohibit repeated prodding of an animal that isn’t willing or able to respond. 

“The treatment of this visibly stressed bull is incredibly disturbing,” said VHS Campaign Director, Emily Pickett. “We see a look of terror in the animal’s eyes, as well as tension in his body and excessive drooling, all of which are indicators of acute stress.”  

The VHS has reported the video, along with another clip of an agitated bucking horse being hit repeatedly in the face, to the BC SPCA.  

The VHS pointed to public polling conducted in February which found that a strong majority of British Columbians said that they would “probably” or “definitely” not watch calf roping (74%), steer wrestling (70%), bull riding (60%) and bronc riding (60%), all of which were held at the Clinton rodeo. 

The poll also found that 66% of British Columbians oppose the government funding of rodeo events, while 12% were undecided. More than 4,000 members of the public called on the Minister of Tourism to end public funding of rodeos after it was announced that hundreds of thousands of dollars were awarded to events that include rodeos in 2023. 

Despite public opposition, the B.C. Ministry of Tourism continues to provide taxpayer funding to events that include these rodeo activities. In 2024, more than $680,000 was awarded to events that include rodeos. The Clinton rodeo received $9,300 in 2023 and $6,400 this year. 

This is not the first time the VHS has released concerning rodeo footage in B.C. In recent years, videos from other rodeos have highlighted animals being inhumanely handled and deliberately agitated. The VHS also released footage from a rodeo held in Keremeos over the May long weekend, including one video that shows a roped steer being dangerously dragged around the arena behind a fleeing roping horse.

The VHS has launched a public campaign asking that the Province stop funding rodeo events and encouraging decision-makers to do more to address inhumane rodeo events that rely on the use of fear, discomfort and stress to make animals perform. Other jurisdictions are already leading the way, including the City of Vancouver, District of North Vancouver and City of Port Moody, which all have bylaws prohibiting inhumane rodeo events and practices. 

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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society    

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

Related links: 

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Related media:  

Video compilations 

https://youtu.be/yUoP07eKUgU – Clinton Rodeo 

https://youtu.be/rScPUjYa9no – Keremeos Rodeo 

Raw footage – Clinton Rodeo: 

https://youtu.be/ZGY6zfF0cMc – A stressed bull is dragged and prodded in sensitive areas (6:47 mark) 

https://youtu.be/HKGzn5-dkbo – A bucking horse shows signs of stress and is struck in the face 

https://youtu.be/TtAlcLUQxxs – A stressed calf vocalizes while being roped and dragged 

Colour graded videos – Clinton Rodeo:  

https://youtu.be/unJuQfxWhPc – A stressed bull is dragged and prodded in sensitive areas (6:47 mark) 

https://youtu.be/4UoGbjEIJhI – A bucking horse shows signs of stress and is struck in the face 

https://youtu.be/Bd1p8gdSeW4 – A stressed calf vocalizes while being roped and dragged 

https://youtu.be/Qj8JE0FRzNg – A roped calf struggles on the ground 

https://youtu.be/82tLJqE7kSQ – Steer kicked as being wrestled to ground 

https://youtu.be/LzT4NDM7cXs – Stressed calf is roughly handled 

https://youtu.be/7wKWf0Lc-hs – Calf flipped backward during roping event 

https://youtu.be/CQ30tQ4z2q0 – A stressed bucking horse thrashes and slams into the front of the chute and falls once released into the arena 

https://youtu.be/u-ClgU-2GJA – A horse falls face first during a bucking event 

Raw footage – Keremeos Rodeo:  

https://youtu.be/xFKM8hUhpXE – A steer is dragged 

https://youtu.be/E5kTNmsvvnk – A horse becomes caught in the chute 

https://youtu.be/2tav2y9mgY0  – A bull’s leg gets stuck in the chute 

https://youtu.be/yK8eM7Sy0Fk – A steer is run down by a horse 

https://youtu.be/c-XmmJM1RBk – A steer is agitated, caught in the chute, and wrestled 

Colour graded videos – Keremeos Rodeo:  

https://youtu.be/pNDlLgMF7FA – A steer is dragged 

https://youtu.be/NYcK0hNRmC8 – A horse becomes caught in the chute 

https://youtu.be/4TK2SIZWXsk – A bull’s leg gets stuck in the chute 

https://youtu.be/QOrB7mIT7GM – A steer is run down by a horse 

https://youtu.be/3EMhwSpOaSY – A steer is agitated, caught in the chute, and wrestled 

Incident reportedly results in horse death at Hastings Racecourse, May 25, 2024

Less than one month after the racing season began at Hastings Racecourse, the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has received an anonymous tip that 3-year-old Lizzie’s Rayne was euthanized following an incident at Saturday’s event. Video: Hastings Racecourse.

VANCOUVER, May 27, 2024 – Less than one month after the racing season began at Hastings Racecourse, the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has received an anonymous tip that a horse was euthanized following an incident at Saturday’s event. 

3-year-old Lizzie’s Rayne reportedly broke her leg during the running of the fourth race. In a live video of the event, Lizzie’s Rayne appears to be forced between the rail and another horse. She can be seen stumbling and falling behind, and does not finish the race. 

“Each time a horse loses their life at Hastings Racecourse, it is heartbreaking and sadly unsurprising,” said VHS’s Communications Director, Chantelle Archambault. “The racing industry puts these beautiful, sensitive animals through fear, stress, and risk to their lives, and these incidents are commonplace.” 

The BC’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) confirmed that there were eight horse deaths at Hastings Racecourse last year, including four horse deaths in the span of just three weeks between July 16 and August 7. 

The VHS has pointed to inherent welfare concerns around horse racing, including stressful, aversive training methods, the use of painful tools like whips and bits, the breeding of thoroughbred horses for speed rather than skeletal strength, the risk of injury and death, and the risk of being auctioned off for slaughter for horses who are no longer profitable at the end of their short careers. 

“This is why the VHS is asking Vancouverites not to attend horse racing events. These horses are being bred and run to death for the sake of an afternoon of human entertainment because there is profit to be made in people attending and betting on races.”

More information and a pledge not to attend horse racing events can be found on the VHS website. 

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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society     

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

Related links: https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/posts/hastings-racecourse-begins-live-racing-season/

Related media: https://youtu.be/P0NHNcogYBc?si=A-GpIqOmjbXYEsHJ

VANCOUVER, May 27, 2024 – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is raising concerns after footage from a rodeo held in Keremeos over the May long weekend showed stressed animals being put at risk of serious injury. 

“It was shocking and quite frankly difficult to watch some of the footage”, said VHS Campaign Director, Emily Pickett. “One video shows a roped steer being dragged around the arena behind a fleeing roping horse. You can hear the announcer yelling for someone to cut the rope and, at one point, the steer defecates – which, in this context, is an indication of stress. Finally, the rope is cut and the steer is freed, but we don’t know if the steer sustained any serious injuries from the incident, as injuries may take up to 48 hours to present and that information isn’t made readily available to the public.”

Footage also showed a horse in a bad way, with a foot stuck in an unusual body position. It appears like the horse fought being in the chute and then gave up, with a response that looks like learned helplessness. This kind of shut down behaviour happens when an uncomfortable or painful situation presents repeatedly and there is no escape. 

In yet another video, a visibly agitated bull gets his hind leg stuck for several minutes between the bars of a bucking chute, with little effort made to assist the animal as the rodeo carries on around him. 

The VHS pointed to public polling conducted in February which found that just under three in five Canadians said that they would “probably” or “definitely” not watch bull riding (59%) and saddle bronc (58%), two of the events seen in this month’s Keremeos rodeo. 

This is not the first time the VHS has released concerning rodeo footage in B.C. In recent years, videos from other rodeos have highlighted animals being inhumanely handled and deliberately agitated. These more recent incidents at the Keremeos rodeo reiterate the risk of serious injury and death that animals used in rodeo events face, all for the sake of public entertainment.  

The VHS is encouraging decision-makers to prohibit roping, wrestling and bucking events, which rely on the use of fear, discomfort and stress to make animals perform. Other jurisdictions are already leading the way, including the City of Vancouver, District of North Vancouver and City of Port Moody, which all have bylaws prohibiting inhumane rodeo events and practices.

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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society   

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

Related links:

• https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Factum_VHS_26Feb2024.pdf

Related media:  

Raw footage: 

A steer is dragged at Keremeos Rodeo

A steer is roped before being dragged across the arena by a roping horse at Keremeos Rodeo. The steer displays signs of stress. Source: Vancouver Humane Society.

A horse becomes caught in the chute at Keremeos Rodeo

A bucking horse becomes caught in the chute at Keremeos Rodeo and displays signs of learned helplessness. Source: Vancouver Humane Society.

A bull’s leg gets stuck in the chute at the Keremeos Rodeo

A bull struggles in the chute at Keremeos Rodeo when his leg becomes trapped. Source: Vancouver Humane Society.

A steer falls at Keremeos Rodeo

A steer falls during an event at Keremeos Rodeo. Source: Vancouver Humane Society.

A steer is agitated, caught in the chute, and wrestled at Keremeos Rodeo

A steer is agitated in the chute and repeatedly has his leg stuck between the bars in a steer wrestling event at Keremeos Rodeo. Source: Vancouver Humane Society.

Colour graded videos: 

A steer is dragged at Keremeos Rodeo

A steer is roped before being dragged across the arena by a roping horse at Keremeos Rodeo. The steer displays signs of stress. Source: Vancouver Humane Society. Colour graded.

A horse becomes caught in the chute at Keremeos Rodeo

A bucking horse becomes caught in the chute at Keremeos Rodeo and displays signs of learned helplessness. Source: Vancouver Humane Society. Colour graded.

A bull’s leg gets stuck in the chute at the Keremeos Rodeo

A bull struggles in the chute at Keremeos Rodeo when his leg becomes trapped. Source: Vancouver Humane Society. Colour graded.

A steer is run down by a horse at Keremeos Rodeo

A steer falls during an event at Keremeos Rodeo. Source: Vancouver Humane Society. Colour graded.

A steer is agitated, caught in the chute, and wrestled at Keremeos Rodeo

A steer is agitated in the chute and repeatedly has his leg stuck between the bars in a steer wrestling event at Keremeos Rodeo. Source: Vancouver Humane Society. Colour graded.

A billboard in Calgary questions government funding for rodeo events after more than half of Calgarians say they oppose it. Source: Vancouver Humane Society.

VANCOUVER, May 14, 2024 – In the weeks leading up to the Calgary Stampede, new billboards popping up across the city are urging Calgarians to skip the rodeo and chuckwagon races.

These images remind observers that rodeo is “No fun for the animals” and that “Rodeo animals aren’t performing. They’re suffering.” They also highlight a statistic from a Research Co. poll conducted earlier this year, which found that “More than half of Calgarians oppose government funding for rodeo events” – a shocking statistic considering the Calgary Stampede receives about six million in taxpayer dollars from the provincial government each year, as well as support from the municipality.

“The billboards encourage people to rethink supporting events that cause animal suffering,” said Vancouver Humane Society’s (VHS) Chantelle Archambault. “You can see the fear in the eyes of calves being roped at high speeds and steers having their necks twisted back until they fall to the ground. It’s not entertainment; it’s cruelty.”

Archambault noted that public opinion on rodeo is already changing. This year’s Research Co. poll found that more than half of Albertans disagreed with the use of animals in steer wrestling (54%), calf roping (51%), and bronc riding (51%). When presented with photos of calf roping, 60% of Albertans and 62% of Calgarians said they would “probably” or “definitely” not watch the event.

Near-annual animal deaths at the Stampede may be one reason for the events’ declining popularity. 105 animals have died at the Stampede since the VHS began tracking fatalities in 1986, including 75 horses used in the chuckwagon races. A growing body of research shows animals used in events such as calf roping experience acute stress and are at risk of serious injury.

An end to inhumane animal events doesn’t mean an end to the Stampede. A 2022 poll from Research Co. found that the removal of the rodeo and chuckwagon events from the Calgary Stampede program would have virtually no impact on attendance rates and would attract new crowds. The VHS hopes to see the Calgary Stampede continue to evolve into an event that celebrates the city’s culture and represents events in Canada on the world stage without the rodeo and chuckwagon races.

The billboards are being run as part of the Rodeo Truth project, a collaboration between the VHS and concerned Calgarians.

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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society   

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

Related links:

• https://rodeotruth.com
• https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Factum_VHS_26Feb2024.pdf

Related media: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1CmkJS–Ow1QxyjZHEcZi-XkLIq3Oznqy?usp=sharing