The 2024 rodeo season in B.C. was especially controversial, with the VHS filing cruelty complaints to the BC SPCA for multiple incidents of inhumane electric prod use and other serious welfare concerns.
The B.C. public is increasingly opposed to rodeo, with recent polling showing a strong and growing majority of residents are opposed to the use of animals in rodeo events and to taxpayer dollars being used to support rodeos.
The VHS released new footage from two recent rodeos: Armstrong, which received $140,800 in provincial funding, and Merritt, which received $11,100.
Footage from all rodeos monitored captured suffering of animals, including rough handling, deliberate agitation of animals, and visible signs of stress.
Use the quick action tool to call for an end to government funding of rodeos and for the government to do more to protect animals used in rodeos.
Join the VHS in calling on the B.C. government to:
Stop providing public funding to events that include rodeos;
Do more to protect animals from inhumane treatment in rodeo events.
Inhumane handling of animals at the Armstrong rodeo
Footage shows repeated instances of animals being roughly handled in the chutes, including being hit in the face, punched and pushed around in the chutes, and ears and tails being pulled and twisted.
Animals are put at risk of serious injury, including young calves being choked and dragged by the tight rope around their neck.
Footage shows rough and disrespectful handling of animals who resist handlers, including a young calf shoved to the ground by a participant after the calf refuses to stand up; a handler sits on the neck of a visibly stressed steer in a chute; animals who lay down in the chutes are kicked or have their tails pulled and twisted.
Animals are put at serious risk of injury, including a bucking horse who falls backward, a stressed steer who runs into the arena fence, and calves who are choked and dragged by the tight rope around their neck.
New footage from the 2024 Merritt rodeo in British Columbia captures concerning treatment of animals, including rough handling and putting animals at risk of injury. Take action to support an end to inhumane rodeo events at: vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/rodeos
Serious welfare concerns at the Coombs rodeo
Footage, taken by We Animals, from the Coombs rodeo resulted in the VHS filing a cruelty complaint to the BC SPCA in regards to electric prod use and inhumane handling of a fallen horse.
Footage shows repeated use of electric prods on multiple animals. The VHS believes this is in violation of animal protection laws.
Another incident involves a horse named Ridge Runner, who falls during a bucking event and remains on the ground for more than two minutes. Handlers drag the horse by a rope tied to his front legs. Later, a handler kicks the horse twice in the head.
Footage also captures animals being harshly handled and deliberately agitated, including tail twisting, ear pulling, and kicking and slapping.
Close-up footage shows highly stressed animals, including horses with flared nostrils, ears pinned back, kicking in the chutes, resisting handlers, and visibly trembling in fear.
Videos from the 2024 Bulls Broncs & Barrels in Coombs, British Columbia show a number of serious welfare concerns, including: – Improper use of electric prods – A horse falling and being kicked in the head – Rough handling and deliberate agitation of animals – Visible signs of stress Footage: Jordan Rivers We Animals Media
Cruelty allegations at the Clinton rodeo
Footage shows handlers inhumanely attempting to move a visibly stressed bull from one area to another. The bull is dragged and choked by a tightened rope around his neck and an electric prod appears to be used on the animal repeatedly, including on the animal’s anus. This incident was reported to the BC SPCA.
Another clip shows an agitated horse being repeatedly struck in the face while in the bucking chute. The horse attempts to back away from the handler, but the handler continues to follow and strike the horse. The handler proceeds to punch the horse in the neck and the horse responds by dangerously rearing up in the chute. This incident was also reported to the BC SPCA.
Other clips capture stressed animals being roughly handled, deliberately agitated, and put at risk of serious injury.
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
Stressed & agitated animals at Keremeos rodeo
Footage shows rough handling, including animals being hit, having their tail pulled and twisted, and being deliberately agitated so they burst out of the chute at high speed.
Several clips show animals being put at risk of injury, including animals falling, being choked and dragged by the rope around their neck, and limbs getting stuck in the chutes.
Other clips capture visibly stressed animals thrashing in the chutes and resisting handlers.
New footage from the 2024 Keremeos 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
BC government rodeo funding
In 2024, the B.C. Ministry of Tourism announced a new round of public funding for B.C. events, including rodeos. Through the Ministry’s Fairs, Festivals & Events fund, more than $680,000 was awarded to events that include rodeos, including $11,100 for the Merritt rodeo, $6,400 for the Clinton rodeo, and $140,800 for the Armstrong rodeo, the most provided to any of the B.C. rodeos.
Last year, the VHS documented animals being roughly handled, deliberately agitated, and exhibiting signs of stress and suffering at several rodeos that received B.C. government funding. Despite sharing this with the Ministry of Tourism, funding continues to be provided to events that include rodeos.
Growing public opposition
Recent polling by Research Co. shows that a significant majority of British Columbians oppose various rodeo events and the funding of such events.
77% oppose calf roping;
75% oppose steer wrestling;
66% oppose bronc and bull riding;
83% oppose government funding for rodeos.
The VHS continues to strongly oppose the use of taxpayer dollars to fund rodeo events, citing systemic animal welfare issues and strong public opposition to the use of animals in rodeos. The VHS has written to the B.C. government about the matter and requested a meeting. Use the quick action tool above to support this call for change.
New We Animals Media footage from the Coombs rodeo on Vancouver Island captures possibly illegal electric prod use on animals and inhumane handling of a fallen horse.
The VHS has reported the concerning incidents to the BC SPCA.
Recent polling reflects growing public opposition to controversial rodeo events. 83% of B.C. residents oppose taxpayer dollars being used to support rodeos.
The VHS continues to call for an end to B.C. government funding of rodeo events and for the province to do more to address the lack of protections for animals in rodeo. Use the quick action tool below to support this call to action.
Join the VHS in calling on the B.C. government to:
Stop providing public funding to events that include rodeos;
Do more to protect animals from inhumane treatment in rodeo events.
Cruelty allegations at Coombs rodeo
The Vancouver Humane Society filed a cruelty complaint to the BC SPCA about:
Electric prod use: The footage shows repeated use of electric prods on animals. This appears to be in violation of the laws that pertain to animal management, which prohibit repeated prodding of the same animal; electric prod use on animals already in motion to speed them up or on animals unable to move due to physical barriers.
Inhumane handling of a fallen horse: A horse named Ridge Runner is seen crashing into the back fence of a chute during a bucking event. The stressed animal is heard vocalizing as he falls to the ground and remains prone 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.
The footage also captures animals being roughly handled and deliberately agitated, including tail twisting, ear pulling, and kicking and slapping.
Visible signs of highly stressed animals are also captured, including horses with flared nostrils, ears pinned back, kicking in the chutes, resisting handlers, and trembling in fear.
Videos from the 2024 Bulls Broncs & Barrels in Coombs, British Columbia show a number of serious welfare concerns, including: – Improper use of electric prods – A horse falling and being kicked in the head – Rough handling and deliberate agitation of animals – Visible signs of stress Footage: Jordan Rivers We Animals Media
Growing public opposition to rodeo & government funding
Recent polling by Research Co. shows that a significant majority of British Columbians oppose various rodeo events and the funding of such events.
77% oppose calf roping;
75% are against steer wrestling;
66% are opposed to bronc and bull riding;
83% are against government funding for rodeos.
B.C. government continues to fund inhumane rodeo events
The VHS remains firmly opposed to using taxpayer dollars to support rodeo events due to ongoing animal welfare concerns and strong public disapproval of animal use in rodeos. Despite these concerns and evidence of welfare issues at rodeos being shared with the Ministry of Tourism, government funding continues to be awarded to rodeo events.
This spring, more than $680,000 in government funding was distributed to events that include rodeos.
On August 9th 2024, a horse named Kiki’s Song of Life was euthanized after sustaining a compound fracture during a timed workout at Vancouver’s Hastings Racecourse. This incident marks the second known horse death at Hastings since the racing season began in April.
Last year, eleven horses died at B.C.’s two racecourses – eight at Hastings and three at Fraser Downs.
Horses used in the high-pressure racing industry face stress, pain, and risk of injury and death as a result of selective breeding practices, aversive training, high speeds, and the use of painful tools like whips and bits.
The VHS continues to encourage the public to not attend horse races and to take the pledge to reflect their concern for horses.
By taking the pledge today, you will reflect your concern about recent race horse fatalities and incidents and to sign up to receive updates on future actions you can take to help horses.
Learn more about the deaths of eight horses at Hastings Racecourse in 2023 here.
New polling shows public opposition to many rodeo events and to government funding of these events has skyrocketed since polling was last conducted in February.
This new polling data comes after the deadliest year for animals at the Calgary Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races since 2019.
Four animals were killed this year – three horses sustained serious injuries during the chuckwagon races and a steer’s neck was snapped during a steer wrestling event.
TAKE ACTION: Sign & share the #SayNoToRodeo pledge and send a message to Calgary City Council and Stampede organizers calling for the rodeo and chuckwagon races to be removed from the Stampede program.
Take the pledge to reflect your opposition to inhumane rodeo and chuckwagon events at the Calgary Stampede. The number of signatures will be referenced in correspondence with decision-makers and organizers.
Send a message to Calgary City Council & Stampede organizers
Call on decision-makers and Stampede organizers to remove the inhumane rodeo and deadly chuckwagon races from the Stampede program.
See the “Learn More” section on this page for key points you may wish to consider in your message. Please be sure to use your own words and remain respectful in your message.
New poll: significant increase in public opposition to rodeo events and government funding of them
A new Research Co. poll shows opposition to rodeo and chuckwagon events in Canada increased between February and July. The five events included in the poll were:
Calf roping (opposition rose from 60% to 68%)
Steer wrestling (61% to 67%)
Bull riding (55% to 58%)
Bronc riding (55% to 60%)
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 poll, compared to just one event in February. More than half of people polled in Calgary opposed calf roping, steer wrestling, bronc riding, and chuckwagon racing.
The new polling also reflected stronger public opposition to the government funding of rodeo events, with Canada-wide opposition rising from 65% in February to 71% in July. In Calgary, opposition jumped significantly from from 51% to 67%.
2024 Calgary Stampede fatalities
Content warning: The following video depicts a steer’s neck being fatally broken during a steer wrestling rodeo event.
On July 8, 2024, a steer at the Calgary Stampede rodeo suffered a fatal neck injury during a steer wrestling event. SportsNet footage quickly panned away from the animal, but footage from an audience member shows the full story, with handlers prioritizing hiding the incident from public view rather than the wellbeing of the animal.
The 2024 Calgary Stampede was the deadliest for animals since 2019. This year, four animals were killed during the rodeo and chuckwagon races.
Three horses were euthanized after sustaining serious injuries during the chuckwagon races.
A steer’s neck was snapped during a steer wrestling event.
This brings the total number of known animal deaths at the Calgary Stampede to 109 since the VHS began tracking in 1986.
Animal suffering at the Calgary Stampede rodeo & chuckwagon races
Fatalities aren’t the only concern at the Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races. The reality is that these events rely on the use of fear, stress, and discomfort to make the animals “perform” for public entertainment. Inhumane tools and practices incite fleeing and bucking in these sensitive prey animals.
Animals demonstrate visible signs of stress during rodeo events, including:
the presence of “eye white” when their eyes roll back;
Many rodeo events contradict industry requirements for the handling of farmed animals, which state that quiet handling techniques must be used, and that abusive handling is unacceptable. If these same rodeo practices were used outside of the rodeo arena, they would be illegal.
Canadians love, value and rely on the emotional support of their pets; yet most provinces in Canada still allow pet restrictions in rental housing that split people up from their beloved companion animals.
One of the top three reasons people surrender their pets to animal shelters is loss of suitable housing, which is increasing across the country due to national economic challenges.
Meanwhile, animal shelters across the country are in crisis and are at their capacity.
A new federal e-petition calls for legal changes to ensure tenants with pets are no longer excluded from rental housing.
Can you sign the petition help animals stay with their families?
Join MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Humane Canada, the Vancouver Humane Society, and animal organizations across the country in asking the federal government to include Canadian tenants with pets in a legally binding, nationwide Canadian Renters’ Bill of Rights with a specific provision for companion animals, voiding any “no pet” clauses in tenancy agreements so that tenants with pets are no longer excluded from rental housing.
Sign the federal e-petition on the Parliament of Canada website before November 2nd at 7 am.
Important: After you sign the petition, be sure to check your email and click the confirmation link to ensure your signature is counted.
With the 2024 rodeo season underway, the VHS is raising concerns about the treatment of animals at recent rodeos in Clinton and Keremeos, including two egregious incidents at the Clinton rodeo.
The incidents have since been reported to the BC SPCA.
The VHS is also speaking out about a new round of government funding awarded to rodeos, including the Clinton rodeo.
Join the VHS in calling on the B.C. government to:
Stop providing public funding to events that include rodeos;
Do more to protect animals from inhumane treatment in rodeo events.
Cruelty allegations at the Clinton rodeo
Footage shows handlers inhumanely attempting to move a visibly stressed bull from one area to another. The bull is dragged and choked by a tightened rope around his neck and an electric prod appears to be used on the animal repeatedly, including on the animal’s anus.
Another clip shows an agitated horse being repeatedly struck in the face while in the bucking chute. The horse attempts to back away from the handler, but the handler continues to follow and strike the horse. The handler proceeds to punch the horse in the neck and the horse responds by dangerously rearing up in the chute.
Other clips capture stressed animals being roughly handled, deliberately agitated, and put at risk of serious injury.
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
Stress & suffering at Keremeos rodeo
Footage shows rough handling, including animals being hit, having their tail pulled and twisted, and being deliberately agitated so they burst out of the chute at high speed.
Several clips show animals being put at risk of injury, including animals falling, being choked and dragged by the rope around their neck, and limbs getting stuck in the chutes.
Other clips capture visibly stressed animals thrashing in the chutes and resisting handlers.
New footage from the 2024 Keremeos 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
BC government continues to fund rodeos
This spring, the B.C. Ministry of Tourism announced a new round of public funding for B.C. events, including rodeos. Through the Ministry’s Fairs, Festivals & Events fund, more than $680,000 was awarded to events that include rodeos, including $6,400 for the Clinton rodeo.
Last year, the VHS documented animals being roughly handled, deliberately agitated, and exhibiting signs of stress and suffering at several rodeos that received B.C. government funding.
The VHS continues to strongly oppose the use of taxpayer dollars to fund rodeo events, citing systemic animal welfare issues and strong public opposition to the use of animals in rodeos. The VHS has requested a meeting with the Ministry of Tourism to discuss the matter.
For the first time, the same shipments of Canadian horses being sent to Japan for slaughter have been documented leaving Canada & landing overseas. Animal Justice is releasing new groundbreaking footage of these harrowing journeys, breaking the 28-hour legal time limit for travel. Take action: https://bit.ly/4bkINJn
The Vancouver Humane Society has signed onto an open letter to Canadian decision-makers after a new exposé reveals the horrific hidden journeys of horses exported for slaughter.
The CFIA allows horses to go a gruelling 28 hours without food, water, or rest when being transported. However, Canadian officials only track the journey until horses land on foreign soil. In reality, horses spend hours on the other side of the ocean painfully hungry, thirsty, and exhausted before reaching their destination. Time spent in transit regularly exceeds the 28 hour legal limit.
Videos also reveal horses sprayed with harsh disinfectant chemicals when they reach a quarantine facility. The horses are so dehydrated that some try to lick the painful chemicals off the nets of the transport truck.
You can read more about the investigation and open letter in the CBC.
Tell the government to take plant-forward action before October 8th
Moving toward a plant-based food system is one of the most significant changes our society can make for animal welfare and environmental protection. If every Canadian who eats animal products switched to plant-based food just one day each week, our nation would save nearly 123 million animal lives per year.
A new federal e-petition calls on the government to:
Educate Canadians on benefits of eating less meat, dairy, eggs and more plant-based foods in keeping with Canada’s Food Guide;
Require federal institutions and federally funded food programs (eg; National School Food Program) to procure more plant-based foods; and
Limit growth of industrial animal agriculture and support small-scale farmers using resilient, humane, sustainable farming practices.
Can you sign the petition before October 8th and help save millions of animals from suffering and slaughter?
April 27th marks the beginning of live racing season at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver.
Last year, eight horses lost their lives at Hastings.
Horses used in racing events endure stress, pain, and risk to their lives due to the high-pressure events, aversive training methods, and the use of painful tools like whips and bits.
Horses who no longer generate a profit are at risk of being sent to auction, where they face further trauma and can end up on a slaughterhouse floor.
Can you take the pledge to boycott inhumane horse racing events and add your name in support of protecting horses?
By taking the pledge today, you will reflect your concern about recent race horse fatalities and incidents and to sign up to receive updates about the VHS’s upcoming horse racing campaign.
Learn more about the deaths of eight horses at Hastings Racecourse in 2023 here.
New report recommends major changes to protect farmed animals in B.C. Add your name in support!
Following growing concerns about the state of farmed animal welfare in B.C., a committee tasked with reviewing the province’s farmed animal welfare framework has presented its recommendations to the Ministry of Agriculture. Join the VHS in urging decision-makers to prioritize next steps!
Use the template message below to call on B.C.’s Premier and the Minister of Agriculture to take specific actions that build on these recommendations and to prioritize their implementation to meaningfully protect farmed animals from egregious cruelty and suffering.
Live outside of Canada? You can email B.C.’s Premier at premier@gov.bc.ca and the Minister of Agriculture at AF.Minister@gov.bc.ca
Agriculture Ministry listening after years of welfare issues
In B.C. alone, near-annual undercover investigations over the last decade have revealed serious and systemic welfare issues within the animal agriculture industry.
In late 2022, B.C.’s Ministry of Agriculture launched a review of the province’s farmed animal welfare framework. This week, a Ministry advisory committee released a new farmed animal welfare recommendations report that will be considered by the Ministry as part of the review.
The report’s recommendations include anew government-funded inspection and enforcement function within the Ministry of Agriculture, which would take over responsibility for implementation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act with respect to farmed animals. Other recommendations include providing an annual public report around enforcement activities; an expanded range of enforcement options and penalties; animal welfare and humane handling training improvements; and continued support for the inclusion of farmed animals in emergency planning.
Learn more about the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture’s farmed animal welfare framework review and the advisory committee’s recommendations report.
