The Vancouver Humane Society, the BC SPCA, and allies in the Lower Mainland are celebrating a big win for animals as Port Moody prohibits mobile petting zoos!
Port Moody City Council voted to prohibit mobile live animal programs, which transport animals for human entertainment, on January 21st.
Mobile petting zoos pose many animal welfare concerns:
Transportation to different locations can be an inherently stressful process for many species.
The animals used in these zoos are typically transported and kept in undersized cages or units that may also lack other elements they need to engage in important natural behaviours, like appropriate substrate and enrichment items.
Animals can develop chronic stress and health issues as a result of disrupted eating, sleeping, and drinking patterns, and from being exposed to unfamiliar sights, sounds, smells and human handling and interactions.
Read or watch more about this win for animals in the articles below!
CBC News
“These events really perpetuate the notion that animals are here for our entertainment, which is certainly not a message we should be teaching children,” Emily Pickett said in an interview televised on CBC News.
Port Moody, B.C., will adopt a corporate policy banning mobile live animal programs from operating on public or private land in the city.
“Thursday, the BC SPCA and VHS lauded Port Moody’s decision.
‘The BC SPCA is thrilled to see local governments like the City of Port Moody make progressive policy decisions to enhance animal welfare in their communities,’ said Nadia Xenakis, the BC SPCA’s wild animal welfare specialist, in a news release.”
A report being presented to Port Moody councillors on Tuesday, Jan. 21, says mobile live animal programs have little educational value
“Petting zoos and other mobile displays featuring live animals could soon be banned in Port Moody.”
Last week, a representative from the Vancouver Humane Society attended a Port Moody City Council meeting to speak in support of a ban on mobile petting zoos, following a presentation from the BC SPCA recommending a ban.
Mobile petting zoos pose many animal welfare concerns:
Transportation to different locations can be an inherently stressful process for many species.
The animals used in these zoos are typically transported and kept in undersized cages or units that may also lack other elements they need to engage in important natural behaviours, like appropriate substrate and enrichment items.
Animals can develop chronic stress and health issues as a result of disrupted eating, sleeping, and drinking patterns, and from being exposed to unfamiliar sights, sounds, smells and human handling and interactions.
A report will be presented to council’s governance and legislation committee on Tuesday, January 21, recommending restrictions on mobile live animal programs in the city.
The VHS has reached out to City Council with further recommendations to help ensure exemptions do not compromise the well-being of animals.
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.
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.
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”.
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?
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.
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.”
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.”
Team hopes findings will help improve equine welfare after showing cognitive abilities include being ‘goal-directed’
A new study has shown that horses plan ahead, think strategically, and have a higher level of cognitive reasoning than researchers previously believed.
Care for animal well-being should not be dependent upon an animal’s ability to reason. Jeremy Bentham once said, “The question is not, Can they reason?, nor Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?”
Still, researchers are hopeful that this study will have a positive impact on the well-being of horses.
Dr Carrie Ijichi, a researcher on the study and a senior lecturer in equine science at NTU, noted, “This teaches us that we shouldn’t make assumptions about animal intelligence or sentience based on whether they are ‘built’ just like us.”
The lead researcher on the study, Louise Evans, said, “Generally, when we start to think that animals may have better cognitive abilities than previously thought, their welfare does improve.” She also noted that the study shows horse training does not require aversive tools, which subject animals to pain, fear, and stress.
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.
The flank strap is tied around a bucking horse or bull’s sensitive hindquarters, creating pressure and discomfort that leads them to buck in an effort to remove the strap. Points are also awarded to the rider based on their use of spurs on the animal.
The Professional Bull Riders is holding an event in Kelowna on July 18
Animal Justice and the Vancouver Humane Society are raising concerns about a bull riding event scheduled for Prospera Place in Kelowna on July 18.
“The groups have alerted RCMP and the BC SPCA about potential violations of B.C.’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Canada’s Criminal Code during the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) event.”
“‘If the event proceeds as planned on Thursday, bulls will be compelled to buck through the use of hard metal spurs and flank straps specifically designed to cause discomfort, combined with the unnatural sensation of a rider gripping tightly to their back in a loud, chaotic environment in front of thousands of spectators,’ reads a joint media release.”
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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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?
