VANCOUVER, July 2, 2026 — The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has filed a cruelty complaint with the BC SPCA after a review of footage from this year’s Clinton Rodeo identified four concerning incidents involving the inhumane treatment of animals.
This is not the first time the Clinton Rodeo has faced scrutiny. Following the 2024 rodeo, the BC SPCA investigated after footage showed a visibly stressed bull being shocked with an electric prod—including on the animal’s anus—as well as a horse being repeatedly struck in the face and punched in the neck while in the bucking chute.
Most concerning in this year’s footage, two animals appear to be repeatedly shocked with a handheld electric prod during a junior steer riding event—a direct violation of the British Columbia Rodeo Association’s (BCRA) own 2026 rule book, which states that “no animal shall be beaten, mutilated, or cruelly prodded” and which prohibits the use of prods in riding events except to load an animal. In both cases, the animal is confined in the bucking chute and has a rider on their back, for which the rule book outlines a $1,000 fine. Repeated violations are to result in a stock contractor’s card being reduced to probationary status or suspended pending review, according to the current rules.
Footage of two additional incidents from this year’s rodeo shows an agitated horse being repeatedly whipped by a rider and a handler striking a visibly stressed steer with a paddle.
“Every rodeo we have monitored across the province has shown animals experiencing visible fear, stress, and unnecessary risk of harm.” said Emily Pickett, Campaign Director at the VHS. “These are not isolated incidents. They are what happens when an industry is allowed to regulate itself with no independent oversight and little meaningful legal protection for the animals involved. ”
The VHS continues to call on the B.C. government to end public funding of rodeo events and to take steps to better protect animals from suffering in these events. In 2026, more than $400,000 in provincial funding was awarded to events that include rodeos, despite polling showing that a strong majority of British Columbians oppose government funding of rodeo events.
British Columbians who want to take action can send a message to the provincial government calling for an end to public funding of rodeo events and better protections for animals used in rodeo.
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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society
For more information, contact:
Emily Pickett
Campaign Director, Vancouver Humane Society
604-416-2901
emily@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca
Additional links: https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/posts/the-2026-bc-rodeo-season-is-underway/
Additional media:
Inhumane handling at the 2026 Clinton Rodeo: https://youtu.be/6r9xTBH7Qvg
Electric prod use: https://youtu.be/qfm6PUUHRJU