Vancouver Humane Society
The return of the Chilliwack rodeo this year, along with a controversial new rodeo held in Langley Township, has raised concerns about the well-being of animals made to perform in rodeo events. Video footage taken at both rodeos this summer shows stressed and frightened animals being roughly handled and deliberately agitated into fleeing and bucking.
The government has so far been inactive on the VHS’s recommendations to improve laws for sled dogs and wild animals in captivity. Will you ask your MLA to speak up to change the laws? Take action now!
Many wild and exotic animals are legally kept in captivity throughout B.C., including:
The VHS has been documenting the conditions of animals at the Greater Vancouver Zoo and Vancouver Aquarium for years.
Undercover investigations and whistleblowers have shared evidence of:
In fact, B.C.’s current Sled Dog Standards of Care allow for sled dogs to be tethered or caged for prolonged periods of time, as they are only required to be released once a day and there are no requirements for how long. Sled dog tour companies are permitted to shoot surplus sled dogs, so long as the operator has made reasonable efforts to try to rehome the sled dog.
Get in touch with VHS at info@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca for a quick way to call on your MLA to take action on these issues.
Canada’s largest rodeo, the Calgary Stampede, is making a full return for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
Animals will be subjected to inhumane bucking, wrestling and roping events. This year will mark the first time the chuckwagon races are being held since 2019, when 6 horses died. To date, more than 100 animals have died at the Calgary Stampede.
You can also follow the new Rodeo Truth social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for more content you can share to raise awareness of – and opposition to – cruel rodeo events.
Your signature will be delivered to decision-makers including the Township of Langley Mayor & Council, asking that they not allow rodeo events that are at odds with best practices and the well-being of animals to become an annual occurrence.
This is the first time in well over a decade that a new annual rodeo is being introduced in the Lower Mainland. It also comes at a time when most communities have moved away from rodeos and toward more animal-friendly and family-friendly events. For example, the Luxton Rodeo near Victoria was cancelled in 2015 and the Abbotsford Rodeo was cancelled in 2016.
This rodeo has concerning connections to an ongoing human rights complaint. The event contact for the rodeo is listed as Rich Kitos, the former vice president of the Cloverdale Rodeo & Exhibition Association and one of the key board members named in a human rights complaint filed against the Association in July of last year and currently still being investigated by the B.C Human Rights Tribunal. The complaint alleges that board members including Kitos conspired to cover up discriminatory conduct, including racism, sexism, and physical abuse.
New public polling reflects that rodeo is not in the public interest, with 64% of B.C. residents and 61% of Canadians opposed to the use of animals in rodeo.
Many rodeo events put animals at unnecessary risk of injury, which may require euthanasia. This can include broken bones, neck injury or internal damage. Injuries may also not be identified immediately after the event, as inflammation and muscle damage can take up to 48 hours after the injury to present.
Research demonstrates how animals used in many rodeo events experience fear, stress, discomfort and pain when chased, roped, and wrestled. For example, there is evidence of elevated levels of stress hormones in calves after being roped. Another indicator of stress is when the animal’s eye rolls to show more of the eye-white.
This is the first time in well over a decade that a new rodeo would be introduced in the Lower Mainland. It also comes at a time when most communities have moved away from rodeos and toward more animal-friendly and family-friendly events. For example, the Luxton Rodeo near Victoria was cancelled in 2015 and the Abbotsford Rodeo was cancelled in 2016.
This proposed rodeo has concerning connections to an ongoing human rights complaint. The event contact for the rodeo is listed as Rich Kitos, the former vice president of the Cloverdale Rodeo & Exhibition Association and one of the key board members named in a human rights complaint filed against the Association in July of last year and currently still being investigated by the B.C Human Rights Tribunal. The complaint alleges that board members including Kitos conspired to cover up discriminatory conduct, including racism, sexism, and physical abuse.
New public polling reflects that rodeo is not in the public interest, with 64% of B.C. residents and 61% of Canadians opposed to the use of animals in rodeo.
Many rodeo events put animals at unnecessary risk of injury, which may require euthanasia. This can include broken bones, neck injury or internal damage. Injuries may also not be identified immediately after the event, as inflammation and muscle damage can take up to 48 hours after the injury to present.
Research demonstrates how animals used in many rodeo events experience fear, stress, discomfort and pain when chased, roped, and wrestled. For example, this is supported by evidence of elevated levels of stress hormones in calves after being roped. Another indicator of stress is when the animal’s eye rolls to show more of the eye-white.
You may have seen the recent W5 investigation, “Dogs in Distress”, which exposed the commercial sled dog industry in Canada. The investigation found disturbing evidence of dogs chained outdoors for prolonged periods; repetitive pacing behaviour; and inhumane forms of euthanasia.
The welfare issues highlighted in the investigation reiterate the need for updating B.C.’s Sled Dog Standards of Care Regulation, which are overdue for review.
You can watch the full investigation below. Please note that the images and stories shared in this story may be very upsetting.
A recent concerning decision by Iditarod officials also highlights welfare issues in the long-distance sled dog race across Alaska. Despite claiming that participants would be disqualified for inhumane treatment of dogs, race officials penalized those who made the decision to shelter their dog teams safely indoors during a dangerous storm.
Officials noted that the participants who decided bring their dog teams indoors gained a competitive advantage even though they “did the right thing for their dogs”.
This concerning decision highlights a prevailing attitude that sled dogs can be exploited for human gain, even at the expense of their well-being.
With warmer weather fast approaching, sled dogs will soon find themselves in the sled dog tourism industry’s off-season. Current regulations allow dogs to be chained for more than 23 hours a day, and many outdoor dog houses provide little protection from the summer heat. Use the quick email tool below to help protect sled dogs now.