Tag: Animals in entertainment

Two incidents in one day at Hastings Racecourse; horse euthanized

Post author By Chantelle Archambault
Post date September 11, 2024

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 6^th, 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.

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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society

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

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

Post author By Chantelle Archambault
Post date September 10, 2024

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

Tags Animals in entertainment, Media, Media - Animals in entertainment, Rodeo

News/Blog

Coombs rodeo under investigation after VHS files cruelty complaint: Media

Post author By Chantelle Archambault
Post date September 6, 2024

Jordan Rivers / We Animals Media

Photo: Jordan Rivers \ We Animals Media

We Animals Media has released heart-wrenching footage from a recent rodeo in Coombs on Vancouver Island. Videos show the inhumane use of electric prods and handlers tying up and kicking a fallen horse while they hide him behind a tarp. The VHS has filed a cruelty complaint to the BC SPCA for treatment that appears to violate animal protection laws.

Learn more & take action

Parksville Qualicum Beach News

Humane society files animal cruelty complaint over rodeo event in Coombs
Complaint references video that shows repeated use of electric prod on a bull

“The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has filed a cruelty complaint with the BC SPCA after footage they say reveals electric prod use and other welfare concerns during the recent Bulls, Broncs & Barrels rodeo event in Coombs.”

“The BC SPCA confirmed it received the complaint the morning of Sept. 3 and said it will look into the matter.”

“Vancouver Island Western Heritage Association runs the event and rents the venue from the Coombs Hilliers Recreation & Community Organization (CHRCO). The CHRCO said it will present a copy of the complaint filed to its board of directors for discussion at its next meeting.”

Read the article

Chek News

‘Really concerned’: Coombs Rodeo investigated for animal abuse
The Vancouver Humane Society has released video of alleged illegal electric prodding and a horse’s head being kicked.

“The Coombs Rodeo on Aug. 17 and 18 is now the subject of a BC SPCA investigation after video of alleged abuse was shared with the Vancouver Humane Society.”

“Two specific instances are being investigated: the use of an electric prod on a bull and a horse being kicked in the head after it collapsed.”

“The Vancouver Humane Society says another case of alleged abuse was witnessed at a rodeo in Clinton in May, and it is now calling on the provincial government to stop giving funding to rodeos.”

Read the article

Tags Animals in entertainment, Calgary stampede, Media, Media - Animals in entertainment, Rodeo

News/Blog

Heart-wrenching new B.C. rodeo footage captures stress and suffering of animals up close

Post author By Chantelle Archambault
Post date September 3, 2024

Jordan Rivers / We Animals Media

Photos: Jordan Rivers \ We Animals Media

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.

Take action

Video footage

Learn more

Take quick 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.

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

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.

Tell decision-makers to protect animals used in rodeos

Tags Animals in entertainment, Rodeo

Media Release

Another rodeo appears to violate electric prod rules; Vancouver Humane Society files cruelty complaint

Post author By Chantelle Archambault
Post date September 3, 2024

No Title
No Description

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

Another horse euthanized at racecourse in Vancouver

Post author By Chantelle Archambault
Post date August 22, 2024

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

Tags Animals in entertainment, Calgary stampede, Rodeo

News/Blog

Another horse fatality at Hastings Racecourse

Post author By Chantelle Archambault
Post date August 22, 2024

On August 9^th 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.

Take pledge

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.

Learn more about the deaths of eight horses at Hastings Racecourse in 2023 here.

Tags Animals in entertainment, Horse racing, Past campaigns, Past campaigns - animals in entertainment

News/Blog

Modern pentathlon to remove show jumping

Post author By Chantelle Archambault
Post date August 16, 2024

Modern pentathlon with horses consigned to history as Michelle Gulyas takes gold
Michelle Gulyas of Hungary won gold in the women’s modern pentathlon with a world record points haul in event’s last final with horses

A win for horses! Show jumping will no longer be a part of the modern pentathlon at the Olympics, and will be replaced with an obstacle course.

Showjumping has long been a controversial part of the modern pentathlon due to animal welfare concerns.

The sport involves the use of aversive tools like whips, bits, and spurs to control horses’ movements. Random pairing between horses and riders and a lack of focus on horse well-being result in stress, fear, and pain for the animals.

Advocates note that riders and handlers have been seen directing frustrations at horses during competition. In 2021, a coach was seen punching a horse named Saint Boy with her fist and encouraging the rider to use greater force.

The removal of show jumping from the modern pentathlon marks a positive step away from the use of animals in entertainment.

Read the article

Tags Animals in entertainment, Media, Media - Animals in entertainment

News/Blog

NEW poll shows significant increase in public opposition to rodeo

Post author By Chantelle Archambault
Post date August 15, 2024

Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media

Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur \ We Animals Media

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 action

Learn more

Read op-ed

Take action

Take the #SayNoToRodeo pledge

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.

Email Calgary Mayor & Council

Email the Calgary Stampede

Learn more

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.

Steer death at the 2024 Calgary Stampede rodeo: behind the scenes view
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.

List of fatalities

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;
excessive drooling;
vocalization;
resisting handlers;
urination; and
defecation.

Research demonstrates that calves experience acute stress and negative emotional states when they are chased and roped.

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. 

Tell decision-makers to drop the rodeo & chuckwagon races

Tags Animals in entertainment, Calgary stampede, Rodeo

Media Release

Opposition to steer wrestling, chuckwagon racing increases in Canada after animal deaths at Stampede

Post author By Chantelle Archambault
Post date August 8, 2024

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