Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur/We Animals Media
Horse fatality during chuckwagon race
According to a release by the Stampede, a horse sustained an injury during the fourth heat of the chuckwagon races on Thursday, July 14th, and was euthanized.
A witness to the incident said that the injured horse fell and was subsequently trampled by the wagon. They described it as pure chaos, with Stampede staff surrounding the injured horse with tarps, to prevent the public from seeing what was taking place.
More than 70 horses have been killed in the chuckwagon races since the VHS started tracking fatalities in 1986. In the last two decades, there have only been 3 years in which the races did not result in horse fatalities: 2003, 2004, and 2016. The last year the chuckwagon races were held in 2019, six horses were killed.
Cruelty during bucking and wrestling events
The VHS also filed cruelty reports to the Calgary Humane Society regarding two other incidents that occurred at the Stampede this year.
1. Horse struck in the face during saddle bronc event
The first incident happened during a bucking event, in which a horse was repeatedly struck in the face when the animal was reluctant to leave the chute.
Footage: Recording of Sportsnet coverage
2. Steer seen limping after landing on hind leg
In another incident during a steer wrestling event, a steer’s neck was twisted by the competitor until the animal fell to the ground, landing awkwardly on his hind leg. Moments later the steer was seen limping.
Footage: Recording of Sportsnet coverage
Raise awareness about animal suffering at the Calgary Stampede
Follow & share Rodeo Truth on social media
Check out RodeoTruth.com, a collaboration between the Vancouver Humane Society and concerned Calgarians, for more information about the realities of rodeo.
You can also follow Rodeo Truth on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for more content you can share to raise awareness of – and opposition to – cruel rodeo events.