The Calgary Stampede is a world famous rodeo held annually in Calgary, Alberta, Canada sense 1919. Many animal rights organizations including V.H.S. (Vancouver Humane Society) and P.E.T.A. (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) are attempting to put a stop to rodeo events on their beliefs that it is cruel to animals.
This year, a total of 6 horses have died during this rodeo. More than 50 horses have died sense 1986 and that’s just in the Chuck Wagon events.
The V.H.S. states “most rodeo events use fear, stress and pain to get the horses to perform.” They also stated “it’s a considerable risk of injury and death to horses and it’s unnecessary for human entertainment.” P.E.T.A. is also very much against rodeo’s. They express that “animals in rodeo’s suffer horribly. They experience physical trauma and psychological terror.”
Louise Robertson, the spokeswoman for “The League Against Cruel Sports” started a petition for Canada to ban the Calgary Stampede. She stated, “The cruelty involved in the stampede is totally unacceptable regardless of how old this tradition is. Using animals for human entertainment in this manor is wrong and should not be condoned by any culture. No amount of prize money can justify abusing animals in this way and it only begs the question how many horses must die before the public realize this is morally wrong.”
Although rodeo officials feel the deaths of these horses were from natural causes, I personally feel differently. Of the six horses that have died this year, two were from heart attacks, due to stress, according to a rodeo veterinarian. Three horses had to be euthanized because of injuries such as broken backs and dislocated shoulders they received during the Saddle Bronc and Chuck Wagon events. The sixth death is currently under investigation.
YOU BE THE JUDGE!!!
For more information on the Calgary Stampede and the death of the horses, please see:
Bad press plagues Calgary Stampede again
Vancouver Humane Society & P.E.T.A. Demand Changes to Calgary Stampede Rodeo
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The Stampede Rodeo has been going on for over a hundred years. You guys are just in it for the publicity, horses die, bulls die, calves die, but more importantly, people die from rodeo events just as much as animals, there’s a risk involved, these animals are bred for it, they literally won’t be able to do anything else, why don’t you guys just think about it.