I am writing in response to Greg Knill’s editorial entitled “Rodeo might be rough, but it’s not abuse”
After initially informing us about the apparent lack of income earned by most rodeo participants Mr. Knill goes on to laud the camaraderie of the participants who nonetheless “…pay homage to the people who helped carve a life in a landscape.” Wild west stories can be entertaining but tradition is never an excuse for glorifying present-day cruelty. Rodeos may be part of our heritage, as noted by Knill, but they are also a barbaric practice worshiped by a small segment of society who view the likelihood of animals being injured or killed as entertainment. According to a September 2015 poll by InsightsWest, only 32% of people in BC approve of rodeos.
Knill then states that rodeo participants and animal owners “appreciate” their animals, touting them as strong and healthy. Appreciation can mean many things: ability to make money, to be the fastest, or strongest to name a few. The appreciation of these animals resides squarely on the financial acumen and fame they might bring to the owners. Knill also lets us know that rodeo animals are not pets, that they are cared for but not “coddled”. In reality, by their very participation in rodeos, the animals are at risk of physical harm and emotional and psychological trauma. In most dictionaries, the word “stampede” is defined as a “sudden rush of frightened or panicked animals”. Furthermore, the Latin translation of the word rodeo is “externo” which means to madden, terrify greatly or frighten. Of particular concern is the practice of calf roping, now euphemistically referred to as Tie Down Roping. It is not too difficult to imagine how many calves are injured or killed in these events. In addition, according to the Globe and Mail, of the 94 horses killed in rodeos since 1986, greater than half of them died in chuck wagon races, the signature event at the Calgary Stampede.
The majority of people who have even a basic understanding of animal behaviour could agree that psychological suffering may be even more unbearable than physical pain. Take a moment to reflect on the fear experienced by abandoned animals or even the reaction to our own cats and dogs when we have been away from home for an unusual length of time. Pack animals, such as dogs, cattle and horses, rely on safety and predictability within their pack or “family” to survive. There is no safety or predictability in rodeos. If rodeo-type treatment were applied to our much loved house pets or any other animal not under the auspices of a rodeo banner, animal cruelty charges would be possible. Animals tormented in rodeos appear to be exempt from protection under the laws. We need to be guided by the common sense laws that have banned the use of elephants in Ringling Brothers circuses and the immense pressure placed on aquariums in an attempt to prevent them from keeping Orcas in captivity.
It is time we stepped up and respected the wishes of the vast majority of the citizens of BC and put a stop to rodeos altogether.
Robbin Jeffereys
Harrison Mills, BC