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Three animals dead in four days at the Calgary Stampede rodeo & chuckwagon events: Media

Photo: Sportsnet

The public is shocked and disturbed as three animals have died in the first four days of the Calgary Stampede’s animal events. Animals die in the Stampede’s rodeo and chuckwagon races nearly every year, and the VHS has been advocating for an end to these inhumane and deadly events for decades.

Read the details of the latest tragic incidents in wide-reaching media coverage below, and speak up against animal suffering at the Calgary Stampede.

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Calgary Herald

Three animals euthanized after sustaining injuries during Calgary Stampede rodeo

Three animals have been put down following injuries sustained during rodeo events as part of Calgary Stampede 2024.

“An injured steer was euthanized Monday, making it the third animal to die during the 2024 Calgary Stampede.”

“The latest deaths led the Vancouver Humane Society to renew its call for the Stampede to end ‘inhumane’ rodeo and chuckwagon events.”

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CTV News Calgary

Two animals euthanized after being injured during Calgary Stampede rodeo

A steer that was injured during the Calgary Stampede’s rodeo competition on Monday night had to be euthanized, the second animal to die during this year’s competition, event organizers confirmed.

“The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS), which has been in opposition to the Calgary Stampede rodeo events for some time, said the death of the steer illustrates exactly why the competition should end.”

“Between 1986, when the VHS began tracking fatalities, and 2023, 105 animals lost their lives in the rodeo and chuckwagon races, the group said.”

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CBC

Steer, 2 horses euthanized at Calgary Stampede rodeo competition | CBC News

A third animal has been euthanized at the Calgary Stampede’s rodeo competition.

“A third animal has been euthanized at the Calgary Stampede’s rodeo competition.”

“The Vancouver Humane Society issued a statement calling for an end to the Stampede’s animal events.”

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National Post

Steer, two horses euthanized at Calgary Stampede rodeo competition

CALGARY – A third animal has been euthanized at the Calgary Stampede’s rodeo competition.

“The Vancouver Humane Society issued a statement calling for an end to the Stampede’s animal events.”

“‘How many animals will die in these events before the Calgary Stampede does the right thing and leaves them in the past,’ Emily Pickett with the humane society said in a release.”

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City News Calgary

Calgary Stampede: Injured chuckwagon horse, steer euthanized

Calgary Stampede officials say a horse and a steer have sustained injuries that led to them being put down.

“The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is speaking out following the news of the animals’ deaths.”

“‘We know that animals died almost every year at the Calgary Stampede, but this year, animals have died almost every day,’ said VHS campaign director Emily Pickett.”

“The group claims 108 animals have died at the Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races since it began tracking fatalities in 1986.”

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The Daily Hive

Two horses, steer euthanized at Calgary Stampede | News

The Calgary Stampede rodeo has already seen three animal deaths this year, and it’s sparking outrage from animal rights advocates.

“The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) says it’s calling for an end to the Calgary Stampede’s deadly animal events after Monday’s steer wrestling event, which appeared to result in a fatal injury.”

“‘You don’t need to be an animal behaviour expert to see the fear in the eyes of a steer being wrestled to the ground. But we still have research proving that animals experience visible signs of stress and elevated stress hormones in rodeos,’ says Emily Pickett, VHS campaign director.”

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Canada to ban open-net pen salmon farming in British Columbia

Canada to ban open-net pen salmon farming in British Columbia

Environmentalists hail decision to end practice in five years but aquaculture industry warns of 6,000 jobs at risk

The Canadian government has announced a decision to ban open-net pen salmon farming in British Columbia coastal waters in five years!

Fish farms keep fishes in crowded conditions that can lead to stress, disease, and the spread of parasites, which farms combat by relying heavily on antibiotics. Open-net fish farms pose a major problem for wild fishes because they allow waste, disease, and chemicals to seep out into the surrounding ecosystem.

Polling shows a majority of residents in British Columbia support ending open-net salmon farming, as have 120 First Nations.

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Learn more about fishes
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Welfare group documents exotic animal escapes, attacks

Animals on the lam: Welfare group documents exotic animal escapes, attacks

In a bid to draw attention to the ongoing and dangerous problem of keeping exotic wildlife in captivity, either in zoos or as house pets, World Animal Protection Canada is building a new database and interactive online map to document all the events it can find.

“In a bid to draw attention to the ongoing and dangerous problem of keeping exotic wildlife in captivity, either in zoos or as house pets, World Animal Protection Canada is building a new database and interactive online map to document all the events it can find.”

Michèle Hamers, wildlife campaign manager for World Animal Protection Canada, hopes that the database will “compel people to ask for more comprehensive laws to protect animals and people.”

Typically, bylaws and provincial laws around wild and exotic animals include a prohibited animals list. These lists can leave gaps that allow many wild and exotic species who do not thrive in captivity to be kept as pets, while even more can be kept in facilities such as zoos and aquariums.

The VHS is calling on the B.C. government to introduce better protections for wild and exotic animals in captivity, including adopting a positive list approach, which allows only those species that meet certain evidence-based suitability criteria to be kept, bred and transported.

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Animals included in coercive control legislation

Content warning: This article describes a case of intimate partner control and various forms of abuse.

MPs vote to criminalize coercive control to protect victims of intimate partner violence | CBC News

Members of Parliament have voted unanimously to criminalize coercive control, a pattern of behaviour that can perpetuate domestic abuse.

A new bill to criminalize coercive control has passed unanimously at the House of Commons and will move onto the next stage at Senate. Thanks to the advocacy of Humane Canada, this animals are recognized in the new legislation.

Coercive control often involves abusers threatening, manipulating, or harming companion animals to exert control over their human victims. The new bill would criminalize these behaviours, including:

  • Attempted and threatened violence toward an intimate partner’s animal
  • Controlling or attempting to control the manner in which an intimate partner cares for their companion animal

Thank you to everyone who advocated for animals to be included in this bill!

P.S. Did you know that the VHS offers a free trauma-informed training for people working in animal services, which includes stories from survivors of coercive control involving their companion animals? This training can help animal service providers to better understand the varied experiences of animal guardians in the community and to create safer, happier outcomes for animals and humans alike.

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Trauma-informed training
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New law prohibits puppy mills in Ontario

Preventing Unethical Puppy Sales Act, 2024

Bill 159 from Parliament 43 Session 1 of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario: Preventing Unethical Puppy Sales Act, 2024.

A new law in Ontario has made puppy mills illegal in the province and introduced greater protections against the unethical breeding and sales of puppies. The Preventing Unethical Puppy Sales (PUPS) Act received Royal Assent in Ontario on June 6.

Advocates from Ontario including Laurie Ristmae, the founder of ARF Ontario and the executive director of the East London Animal Hospital, called this bill “a huge step in the right direction” when it was tabled in December. Ristmae noted that enforcement of the law will be key.

Other advocates like Camille Labchuk from Animal Justice are calling for the law to be strengthened, with proposed changes including requiring breeders in Ontario be registered and licensed.

Read the legislation
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Fines for illegal hunting and fishing more than double in B.C.

Fines for illegal hunting and fishing more than double in B.C. | CBC News

The Ministry of Forests says the new scale of fines effective Tuesday under the Wildlife Act ranges from $345 to $1,495, up from the current range of $115 to $575.

“Fines for illegal hunting and fishing in British Columbia are more than doubling as the province cracks down on offences against wildlife.”

“The ministry says in a news release the new penalties ‘better reflect the serious nature’ of wildlife offences and acknowledge the importance of wildlife to B.C.”

Jesse Zeman, Executive Director of the B.C. Wildlife Federation, says the organization “applauds tougher penalties.”

Read the legislation
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Big win for farmed animals in the UK

Export of live animals banned

Legislation ending exports of livestock for slaughter and fattening receives Royal Assent

Congratulations to animal allies across the pond! After years of advocacy, a law was passed in the UK banning the live export of farmed animals like cows, pigs, sheep, horses, and goats for slaughter and fattening abroad.

Farmed animals suffer greatly on long transport journeys, enduring long periods of time without food, water, or rest. They are packed together in overcrowded conditions and can face extreme temperatures, leading to injuries, illness, and deaths.

The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act in the UK was met with cross party support and passed into law on May 20 when it received Royal Assent. This new legislation marks enormous progress for the well-being of farmed animals.

Here in Canada, a similar bill to ban the live export of horses for slaughter is currently in Senate after being passed at the House of Commons.

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Take action for farmed animals in B.C.
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News/Blog

Video from Sisters Rodeo captures rodeo bull jumping fence, tossing spectator

Cover photo: Jo-Anne McArthur \ We Animals Media.

Content warning: The video associated with this article shows a bull jumping over a fence and injuring a human.

Shocking video captures rodeo bull jumping fence, tossing spectator – National | Globalnews.ca

In video footage of the rampaging bull, people are seen scrambling out of the animal’s path as it charges through the Oregon fairgrounds.

This article from Global News highlights a recent video of a bull named Party Bus jumping over a fence at the Sisters Rodeo in Oregon and tossing a person into the air. Three people were injured in the incident, two of whom were taken to the hospital.

Roping, wrestling and bucking events take advantage of animals’ “fight, flight or freeze” fear response. This response provokes the behaviours expected in rodeo events, such as violent bucking and rapid fleeing. It can also lead to unpredictable behaviours that can be dangerous to both the animals and the humans around them.

Can you take the quick action to say no to inhumane and risky rodeos in your community?

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Horse euthanized after injury at Hastings Racecourse

Recent articles from CTV News Vancouver and Victoria News highlight the tragic death of Lizzie’s Rayne at Hastings Racecourse and the Vancouver Humane Society’s response.

Scroll down for links to the articles or take the pledge not to attend horse racing events.

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Victoria News

Horse euthanized after injury during race at Vancouver racecourse

It’s the 1st death of the season, which began April 27; there were 8 deaths in 2022 and 2023 each

VHS Communications Director Chantelle Archambault said, “These horses are being bred and run to death for the sake of an afternoon of human entertainment because there is profit to be made in people attending and betting on races.”

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CTV News Vancouver

Horse euthanized after injury at Hastings Racecourse

A racehorse was euthanized after suffering an injury during a race at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver over the weekend.

“The racing industry puts these beautiful, sensitive animals through fear, stress, and risk to their lives, and these incidents are commonplace,” said VHS Communications Director Chantelle Archambault. “This is why the VHS is asking Vancouverites not to attend horse racing events.”

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Calgary media shares VHS billboards on rodeo cruelty

Could the future of the Calgary Stampede be rodeo-free? Public opinion is shifting on the controversial rodeo and chuckwagon racing, and new billboards from the Vancouver Humane Society are raising more awareness about the animal welfare concerns associated with these events.

The billboards are featured in Calgary media outlets including CTV News Calgary, Global News, and the Daily Hive.

Learn more at RodeoTruth.com

CTV News Calgary

Calgary billboards ask people to skip the rodeo, chuckwagon races

The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has taken out a series of billboard ads around Calgary encouraging people to skip the rodeo and chuckwagon races at the Stampede this summer.

“The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has taken out a series of billboard ads around Calgary encouraging people to skip the rodeo and chuckwagon races at the Stampede this summer.”

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Global News

Animal rights activists say Stampede ‘not entertainment; it’s cruelty’ – Calgary | Globalnews.ca

The start of the Calgary Stampede is over 7 weeks away, but the Vancouver Humane Society has already launched a campaign urging Calgarians to skip the rodeo and chuckwagon races.

“‘The billboards encourage people to rethink supporting events that cause animal suffering,’ says the Society’s director of communications, Chantelle Archambault. ‘It’s not entertainment. It’s cruelty.'”

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Daily Hive

Billboards are popping up urging people to skip an iconic Calgary Stampede event | News

There are billboards popping up around Calgary protesting a long-standing and controversial event at the Stampede.

“Billboards are popping up around Calgary protesting a long-standing and controversial event at the Stampede. The billboards, released by the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS), encourage Calgarians to shift their perspectives around the Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races.”

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