Tag: rodeo

Rodeo season wraps up with new actions, growing public opposition

Post author By Chantelle Archambault
Post date October 15, 2024

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

Tags Active campaigns, Active campaigns - Animals in entertainment, animal welfare, animals in entertainment, Calgary stampede, rodeo, Take action

News/Blog

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

Post author By Chantelle Archambault
Post date October 11, 2024

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 Events Download

Tags animal welfare, animals in entertainment, Calgary stampede, rodeo, Take action

Media Release

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

Post author By Chantelle Archambault
Post date September 12, 2024

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

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

Post author By Heather Whitehead
Post date September 12, 2024

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:

Stop providing public funding to events that include rodeos;
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
New footage from the 2024 Armstrong 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

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.

Tags animal welfare, animals in entertainment, rodeo, Take action

News/Blog

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 animal welfare, 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 animal welfare, 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 Active campaigns - Animals in entertainment, animal welfare, animals in entertainment, rodeo, Take action

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.

– ends –

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.

– ends –

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

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

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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 animal welfare, animals in entertainment, Calgary stampede, rodeo, Take action