Tag: animals in entertainment

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Media Release

Hastings Racecourse season bookended by animal fatalities as another 2-year-old horse euthanized 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VANCOUVER, October 22, 2024 – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is calling on Vancouverites to choose animal-free entertainment after another horse died at Hastings Racecourse.  

During a race on October 12th, a 2-year-old horse named Anstruther suffered a compound fracture to her right hind leg and was euthanized, B.C.’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) confirmed to the VHS in an email. 

“It’s hard to imagine the fear and suffering horses endure when their fragile leg bones break at such high speeds,” said VHS Communication Director Chantelle Archambault. 

This death occurred in the last weekend of the racing season, marking the fourth fatality at the racecourse this year. The first fatal incident occurred less than one month after the racing season began, meaning this year’s racing season at Hastings was bookended by horse deaths. Eight horses also died in each of the last two years at Hastings. 

“We are a city of animal lovers. To host an event where animals are regularly dying does not reflect our values as a community,” Archambault continued. She implored people to think twice before attending a race. “If you’re attending these events, there is always a chance that you could witness some of a horse’s final moments alive.” 

More than 3,600 people have taken the VHS’s pledge not to attend horse races. The organization is encouraging people to take the pledge and choose entertainment events free of animal suffering. 

– ends –      

SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society     

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

Or contact Emily Pickett: 604-416-2903, emily@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca 

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News/Blog

Hastings racing season bookended by horse deaths

Another horse has died after being seriously injured during the final weekend of the racing season at Hastings Racecourse. Her tragic loss was the fourth fatality of this year’s racing season, with the first occurring less than a month after the season began.

Take action

There were four horse deaths at Hastings in 2024:

  • On May 25, a 3-year-old horse named Lizzie’s Rayne sustained a complete fracture of her left hind leg and was euthanized, less than one month into the racing season.
  • On August 9, 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.
  • On September 6, a 4-year-old horse named Lucky Cowboy suffered a compound fracture to his front leg during a race and was euthanized.
  • On October 12, a 2-year-old horse named Anstruther suffered a compound fracture to her right hind leg and was euthanized. Her death occurred during the final weekend of the racing season at Hastings.

Last year, eleven horses died at B.C.’s two racecourses – eight at Hastings and three at Fraser Downs.  

The pattern of regular deaths is not the only threat to horses’ well-being in the racing industry. Horses also suffer stress and pain as a result of aversive training and the use of painful tools like whips and bits to tightly control their movements in these risky, fast-paced events.

The VHS continues to encourage the public to not attend horse races and to take the pledge to reflect their concern for horses.  

Take pledge
In the news
2023 incidents

Take the pledge to say no to horse racing

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.

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News/Blog

Rodeo season wraps up with new actions, growing public opposition

A bull is prodded in a closed chute as he backed up into a gate.
Jordan Rivers We Animals Media

Photo: Jordan Rivers \We Animals Media

This summer, the VHS and supporters were hard at work advocating to end the suffering of animals in rodeos.

Calgary Stampede

This year’s Calgary Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races were the deadliest of the past five years, resulting in the deaths of four animals: three horses used in chuckwagon racing and a cow used in steer wrestling.

Media coverage of tragic incidents ensures public transparency

The VHS team closely monitored events to ensure these tragic incidents were tracked and shared with media. Stampede organizers only shared information about animal deaths after the VHS’s team and media contacts made inquiries.

The VHS’s Calgary Stampede campaign ran throughout the summer, reaching millions of people through online messaging, billboards across Calgary, and 43 media broadcasts and articles including on Global News, CTV News, CityNews Calgary, and the CBC.

Sharp increase in opposition to rodeo events in Calgary and across Canada

Survey results have since shown a significant increase in public opposition to inhumane rodeo and chuckwagon races and to government funding of these events.

With the shift in public opinion comes an important opportunity for meaningful change. Decision-makers have previously pushed back on calls to end the rodeo and chuckwagon races at the Calgary Stampede, citing public support. The new survey results show that support is rapidly dwindling, marking a turning point for the increasingly controversial animal events.

Calling for action from Calgary City Council

The VHS has delivered a report to Calgary City Council outlining welfare concerns, growing public opposition to rodeo events and chuckwagon races, and a recommendation that the City support removing inhumane events from the Stampede program.

Take action on the Calgary Stampede rodeo

B.C. rodeo season

Here in B.C., the rodeo season once again saw many concerning incidents of animal suffering. The VHS monitored these events, where video footage revealed animals being dragged around the arena by a rope, thrashing in chutes and becoming trapped in unnatural positions, and being agitated through stressful practices like ear pulling.

The VHS submits cruelty reports for inhumane treatment and apparent rule violations

Animal welfare concerns raised at Coombs rodeo

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

In one particularly concerning clip from a rodeo in Clinton, a stressed bull resists handlers’ attempts to move him 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 VHS submitted an animal cruelty report in response to the incident, which appears to violate rules around electric prod use. The VHS also submitted a cruelty report regarding harsh handling of horses and inhumane use of electric prods at a rodeo in Coombs this August.

B.C. government continues to fund rodeo events

The B.C. government continues to fund the suffering of animals in rodeo, with more than $680,000 in taxpayer dollars awarded to events that include rodeos this year alone. The VHS is calling for an end to provincial funding of rodeo events and for legal protections to prevent animal suffering in rodeo. You can send a pre-written, editable email to provincial decision-makers using the quick action tool.

Take action on B.C. rodeos
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News/Blog

Report urges Calgary city council to support a rodeo and chuckwagon-free Stampede 

Calf roping event at The Calgary Stampede. Jo-Anne McArthur \ We Animals Media.

Photos: Jo-Anne McArthur \ We Animals Media

A NEW report from the Vancouver Humane Society highlights:

  • This year’s deadly Calgary Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races, with four animal fatalities and footage of inhumane handling of animals;
  • Groundbreaking polling that reflects a significant increase in public opposition to rodeo events and government funding;
  • 9600+ signatures on the #SayNoToRodeo pledge, calling for an end to inhumane rodeo events and the deadly chuckwagon races at the Calgary Stampede;

The report recommends that Calgary city council seek the removal of rodeo and chuckwagon events from Stampede program. 

TAKE ACTION: Sign and share the petition and send a message to Calgary city council in support of the VHS’s report and recommendations. 

Contact Calgary city council
Sign & share the #SayNoToRodeo pledge
Read the report

Take action

Send a message to Calgary City Council

Send a message to Calgary’s Mayor & Council in support of the VHS’s new report and recommendations. The report recommends: 

  • Ending inhumane animal events at the Stampede; 
  • Discussing the VHS report at an upcoming public council meeting. 

Below are some key points you may wish to consider in your message. Please use your own words and remain respectful in your message. 

Why you’re writing: Note the VHS’s new report and that you’re writing in support of it.  

What concerns you the most: Consider what happened at this year’s Stampede (four animal deaths); the event’s track record of near-annual deaths; the stress and suffering the animals experience during the events. 

Your request: That city council work with Stampede organizers to remove rodeo events and chuckwagon races and instead prioritize events that don’t cause animal harm.  

For people outside Calgary:

Email Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek

For Calgary residents:

Use the online contact form
Email the Manager, Office of the Councillors

Take the #SayNoToRodeo pledge

Recent polling shows a significant jump in opposition among Calgarians and across Canada to many rodeo events and to government funding of these events. 

Sign and share the #SayNoToRodeo 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 Stampede organizers. 

The Vancouver Humane Society’s Stampede report

In a new report sent to Calgary city council, the VHS outlines concerns and recommendations following this year’s deadly Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon events. Below are the key points and recommendations in the report: 

The use of animals in rodeo events presents a significant risk of injury and death, as evidenced by the near-annual animal fatalities at the Calgary Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races.

  • The 2024 Calgary Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races were the deadliest since 2019, with four animal fatalities during this year’s 10-day event.
  • Three horses sustained serious and irrecoverable injuries during the chuckwagon races and one steer’s neck was disturbingly snapped during a wrestling event. All four animals were euthanized.
  • Footage from the Calgary Stampede rodeo captures animals being roughly handled and displaying visible signs of stress, including thrashing in the chutes, resisting handlers, open mouth and extended tongue, and exhibiting eye white response.
  • 2024 Research Co. public polling shows that majority of Calgarians oppose calf roping, steer wrestling, bronc riding, and chuckwagon racing.
  • Public polling also shows that 67% of Calgarians oppose government funding of rodeo events.
  • 2022 Research Co. polling of Calgarians also found that removal of the rodeo and chuckwagon events would have virtually no impact on attendance rates and would bring a new crowd to the Calgary Stampede.

Therefore, the VHS recommends that Calgary city council seek the removal of the rodeo and chuckwagon events from the annual Calgary Stampede program.

VHS Report-Evidence for a Calgary Stampede Without Rodeo and Chuckwagon EventsDownload
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News/Blog

2 incidents in 1 day at Hastings Racecourse

Two incidents within a single day at Hastings Racecourse left one horse named Lucky Cowboy dead and another named Be Sparky injured.

Take action

This is the third death at Hastings this year:

  • On May 25, a 3-year-old horse named Lizzie’s Rayne sustained a complete fracture of her left hind leg and was euthanized, less than one month into the racing season.
  • On August 9, 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.
  • On September 6, a 4-year-old horse named Lucky Cowboy suffered a compound fracture to his front leg during a race and was euthanized.

Last year, eleven horses died at B.C.’s two racecourses – eight at Hastings and three at Fraser Downs.  

Horse racing puts horses’ lives at risk by using animals who are typically overbred for speed, rather than skeletal strength, in extremely fast-paced events. The industry also puts horses through stress and pain as a result of aversive training 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.  

Take pledge
In the news
2023 incidents

Take the pledge to say no to horse racing

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.

Categories
News/Blog

Lucky Cowboy the horse euthanized after being injured in Vancouver race

Lucky Cowboy the horse euthanized after being injured in Vancouver race, group says

Animal advocates have renewed calls to boycott horse races after another animal was injured and euthanized at Hastings Racecourse last week.

“Animal advocates have renewed calls to boycott horse races after another animal was injured and euthanized at Hastings Racecourse last week.”

“The Vancouver Humane Society said the four-year-old horse – named Lucky Cowboy – suffered a compound fracture to his front leg during a race on Friday.”

“Another horse named Be Sparky was hurt earlier in the evening and removed from the course, according to the group.”

“‘This is not an isolated incident,’ said Emily Pickett, VHS campaign director, in a statement. ‘Horses like Lucky Cowboy and Be Sparky are paying the ultimate price for human entertainment, and we cannot stand by while horses continue to die.'”

Read the article in CTV News Vancouver and take the pledge not to attend horse races.

Read the article
Take action
Categories
Media Release

B.C. rodeo season saw recurring issues, cruelty complaints, and growing public concern 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VANCOUVER, September 12, 2024 – This year’s controversial rodeo season in B.C. has left the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) and thousands of advocates calling for urgent action from the provincial government. New footage released by the VHS today from two provincially-funded rodeos continues to show recurring welfare issues. 

Footage released today includes incidents from the Interior Provincial Exhibition & Stampede in Armstrong, which received $140,800 in taxpayer dollars through the Ministry of Tourism’s Fairs, Festivals and Events Fund, and the Nicola Valley Professional Rodeo in Merritt, which received $11,100 from the same grant program.  

The welfare concerns seen in these rodeos echo incidents at other rodeos across the province this year. 

In video clips from both Armstrong and Merritt, calves are seen being dragged across the arena by a rope tied around their necks. The footage is reminiscent of an incident in which a roped steer was dragged around the arena by a horse at a rodeo in Keremeos this past May. 

Like the other events the VHS monitored this season, the newly released footage from Armstrong and Merritt also shows animals being pushed, dragged, smacked in the face, kicked, and roughly agitated through ear pulling and tail twisting. Previously, the VHS filed cruelty complaints to the BC SPCA regarding multiple incidents this year, including the inhumane use of electric prods at two rodeos. 

“We continue to see people in B.C.’s rodeo industry use harsh handling and push the boundaries of how much suffering they can cause before they are considered in violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,” said Emily Pickett, the VHS’s Campaign Director. “There is no proactive monitoring of rodeos by enforcement bodies in this province, so it is very likely the people running these shows don’t believe they’ll be caught when they break the rules.” 

Pickett notes that while the B.C. government provided more than $680,000 in taxpayer funding to events that involve rodeos this year, it does not fund enforcement of its own cruelty laws at the same events. 

“British Columbians should be asking the provincial government why it continues to hand over their tax dollars to support animal suffering,” Pickett added. 

July 2024 polling shows that 83% of British Columbians are against the government funding of rodeo events, rising 17 percentage points from a previous poll in February. 

The VHS encourages anyone who is concerned about the suffering of animals in rodeo events to send a quick, pre-written message to the B.C. government through their website. 

– ends –        

SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society       

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

Related links:  

https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/posts/ongoing-welfare-issues-cruelty-complaints-and-rising-public-opposition-mark-2024-b-c-rodeo-season/

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

Related media:

Armstrong rodeo footage – https://youtu.be/_4VfjZ2bzlI 

Merritt rodeo footage – https://youtu.be/JTy7n_oYXJw 

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News/Blog

Ongoing welfare issues, cruelty complaints, and rising public opposition mark 2024 B.C. rodeo season

  • 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.
Take action to protect animals
2024 Rodeo Season Footage
NEW polling

Take quick action

Join the VHS in calling on the B.C. government to: 

  1. Stop providing public funding to events that include rodeos; 
  2. 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.

Inhumane handling of animals at the 2024 Armstrong rodeo

No Description

Stress & suffering at the Merritt rodeo 

  • 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.

Stress and suffering at the 2024 Merritt rodeo

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.

Animal welfare concerns raised at Coombs rodeo

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. 

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

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.  

Stress and suffering at the 2024 Keremeos rodeo

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.

Categories
Media Release

Two incidents in one day at Hastings Racecourse; horse euthanized 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VANCOUVER, September 11, 2024 – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is once again speaking out after two incidents within a single day at Hastings Racecourse left one horse dead and another injured.

The incidents come less than one month after another horse death at Hastings. 

During the sixth race on September 6th, a 4-year-old horse named Lucky Cowboy suffered a compound fracture in his left front leg and was euthanized. The video replay has since been removed from the venue’s website, a measure that has never been taken before, according to the VHS’s anonymous source. 

Earlier that night, after the end of the fifth race, another 4-year-old horse named Be Sparky was pulled up lame by the jockey. He was removed from the racetrack by trailer and transported to the trainer’s barn for further evaluation of the injury, where he remains.

B.C.’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB), which oversees horse racing in the province, has confirmed that this marks the third death of the racing season at Hastings. Previous incidents at Hastings Racecourse resulted in the deaths of Lizzie’s Rayne in May and Kiki’s Song of Life in August. Last year, eleven horses died at B.C.’s two racecourses – eight at Hastings and three at Fraser Downs.    

“This is not an isolated incident; it’s a pattern of suffering. Horses like Lucky Cowboy and Be Sparky are paying the ultimate price for human entertainment, and we cannot stand by while horses continue to die,” said VHS’s Campaign Director, Emily Pickett. 

This is the second year in a row that a cluster of horse deaths has occurred. Last year, four horses died in the span of three weeks between July 16 and August 7 at Hastings Racecourse. 

The VHS asks those concerned about horses’ well-being to join more than 2,000 people who have taken the pledge not to attend horse races. 

– ends –      

SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society     

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

Related links:  

Another horse fatality at Hastings Racecourse
Categories
News/Blog

Coombs rodeo organizers choose not to take accountability for mistreating animals in rodeo

A bull is prodded in a closed chute as he backed up into a gate.
Jordan Rivers We Animals Media

Photo: Jordan Rivers \ We Animals Media

Last week, the Vancouver Humane Society filed a cruelty complaint to the BC SPCA regarding serious welfare issues at a rodeo event in Coombs.

  • In the footage, multiple bulls are repeatedly prodded when they are unable to move freely.
  • Another video shows a horse falling and being kicked in the head to make him stand up.

The Vancouver Island Western Heritage Association (VIWHA), which organizes the rodeo in Coombs, has since responded to the incident. Their response takes no accountability for the mistreatment of animals and attempts to misdirect attention from recurring issues.

Learn more & take action

Read the rodeo’s response in Chek News

Coombs Rodeo reviewing videos of alleged animal abuse

Organizers of the Coombs Rodeo say they’re reviewing videos of two alleged instances of animal abuse at its recent event in August.

Read the article

Rodeo response deflects criticism despite video evidence

The response from organizers fails to take accountability for repeated use of electric prods and other welfare issues throughout the event. While the VIWHA attempts to explain away one incident of prod use on a bull, arguing that the prod use was necessary to prevent the bull from backing up into other animals, the footage shared shows multiple incidents of repeated electric prod use on animals, including:

  • Repeated electric prodding of a bull who is confined in a bucking chute any time the animal attempts to lay down
  • Repeated electric prodding of a bull in an alleyway, with no other animals around him and a closed gate behind him
  • Repeated electric prodding of a bull whose path is blocked by another animal who is backing up into him

Shockingly, rodeo organizers also characterize the kicking of a downed horse in the head (at 03:30 and 03:25 in the video below) as a handler using his cowboy boot to “nudge the horse on the back of its neck”.

Watch the footage:

No Title

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

Concerning implications for animal welfare

The serious, recurring animal welfare issues seen throughout the event and the dismissive response by organizers have concerning implications. The message shows that inhumane handling is not an outlier, but is expected and accepted. This is not surprising – many rodeo events rely on the fear, stress, and discomfort of animals to “perform” – but it is deeply disappointing.

Rodeo events like this continue to cause animal suffering across British Columbia as the provincial government has put no meaningful plan in place to protect animals used in rodeo. Instead, the Ministry of Tourism funds the operation of many rodeo events, with more than $680,000 going toward events that include rodeos this year.

Can you call on the B.C. government to stop funding rodeos and to take urgent action to protect animals before next year’s rodeo season?

Learn more & take action