Dear :
I am upset to
learn that [name of sponsor] plans to host rodeo events.
Modern
rodeos are a graphic portrait of animal cruelty. Domesticated animals
are bullied into such unnatural acts as calf roping, steer wrestling and
roping, bareback bull riding, saddle bronc riding, and wild cow milking.
To perpetuate the fantasy that gentle animals are wildly dangerous,
handlers antagonize them with electric prods, painful flank straps and
tail twisting.
Animals are forced to wear bucking straps that
cinch their intestines and groins so unbearably, they must frantically
buck in response to the pain. Dr. Charles Haber, a veterinarian and
former federal meat inspector who has observed many discarded rodeo
animals, asserts: "I have seen animals with 6 to 8 ribs broken from the
spine and, at times, puncturing the lungs. I have seen as much as 2 to 3
gallons of free blood accumulated under the detached skin." In the calf
roping event, delicate young animals suffer considerable damage to the
ligament that secures the neck to the body. According to Dr. Robert
Fetzner, wounded calves indisputably endure extreme pain.
Moreover, the rodeo introduces children to authorized animal
abuse. Kids view spurs, prods and ropes as mere instruments in a contest
where the most brutal performers earn the greatest rewards. The effect
of rodeo violence on children has influenced some sponsors to end their
association with the rodeo.
Have you examined PRCA's record for
enforcing its "paper" standards? They have a dismal record of citations
for failing to enforce a minimum of safety and well-being for rodeo
animals. Before you rest assured that PCRA (and other comparable
"professionals," such as the IPRA, NHSRA, & APRA) sponsorship
guarantees the animals' humane treatment (and there is no such thing as
"humane treatment" at rodeos), you need to be aware of their track
record. Do you really want to generate this much controversy and
ill-will? Please review the attachment of documented incidents and
consider how they will affect the public's perception of your
organization.
I urge you to cancel all rodeo events. Please, for
the sake of the animals and the safety of the public, implement a formal
policy against the use of animal acts as promotions, and schedule only
cruelty-free events.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
ATTACHMENT OF DOCUMENTED
INCIDENTS:
Fall 1982 -- San Francisco Grand National Rodeo
(PRCA): A calf suffers a broken leg, bleeding badly. He is taken to
ranch and killed. Also, a horse suffers a broken leg and is killed.
1983 -- California Rodeo in Salinas, California (PRCA): Two
horses dead. One suffered an aneurysm, collapsed and dies in the arena.
Another had his leg broken, and was killed.
Fall 1984 -- San
Francisco Grand National Rodeo (PRCA): One calf - severely injured - is
hidden from Humane Officer
1985 -- California Rodeo in Salinas,
California (PRCA): One horse dies after hitting head on a steel post.
Two calves suffer fractured legs -- one is taken to a slaughterhouse and
the other is given a cast. Two more calves suffer dislocated legs and
are given casts.
November 1985 -- San Francisco Grand National
Rodeo (PRCA): One bucking horse suffers a broken back and is killed. One
roping calf suffers a broken back. One horse suffers a swollen knee, one
horse suffers a gash on head, one horse suffers a face injury, one horse
suffers a cut on hock.
November 1986 -- San Francisco Grand
National Rodeo (PRCA): One horse suffers a fractured rear hock. ELECTRIC
SHOCK DEVICE used to force animals to "perform."
November 1987
-- San Francisco Grand National Rodeo (PRCA): One calf suffered a broken
leg, one calf suffered right rear leg injury, one calf suffered
laceration on face, one calf suffered a sprained leg. Four horses
suffered lacerations, one horse suffered a gash on the face, one horse
suffered an injured hoof, one horse suffered a gash between the ears,
one horse suffered a cut on right rear leg. One bull suffered an injured
leg. ELECTRIC SHOCK DEVICE used to force animals to "perform."
1989 -- California Rodeo in Salinas, California (PRCA): A calf
goes down during the calf roping event and is unable to stand. It is
destroyed later.
1989 -- San Francisco Grand National Rodeo
(PRCA): ELECTRIC SHOCK DEVICE used to force animals to "perform."
1990 -- California Rodeo in Salinas, California (PRCA): A horse
suffers a broken leg and is killed.
1990 -- San Francisco Grand
National Rodeo (PRCA): One horse suffers a shattered disk during
bucking, one horse suffers a cut eye. ELECTRIC SHOCK DEVICE used to
force animals to "perform."
June 1991 -- Reno Rodeo in Reno,
Nevada (PRCA): A bull suffers a broken back and is killed.
July
1991 -- California Rodeo in Salinas, California (PRCA): One horse
suffers a fractured rear leg and is killed.
1992 -- Reno Rodeo
in Reno, Nevada (PRCA): One horse left arena with bleeding nostrils
which soon became severe bleeding from nose and mouth. The horse was
killed. One horse with 6 inch gash on chest. Several horses, calves and
steers limping with injured legs. One steer suffered a broken horn. An
attempt was made to secure horn with duct tape.
1993 --
California Rodeo in Salinas, California (PRCA): A bull has his rear leg
caught in a fence and suffers a break while trying to free himself. The
bull is killed.
July 1993 -- Wauconda Rodeo in Wauconda,
Illinois (IPRA): Multiple severely underweight steers with open, swollen
wounds.
1993 -- Frontier Day Rodeo in Cheyenne, Wyoming (PRCA):
Two horses and one steer are killed.
1993 -- Lake County Fair
Rodeo (IPRA): Many animals SHOCKED WITH 5,000-VOLT PRODS to force them
to "perform."
July 1994 -- Wauconda Rodeo in Wauconda Illinois
(IPRA): One horse's leg becomes caught in rope during calf roping. No
report is given on horse's condition. Multiple horses with open flank
strap wounds.
1994 -- Lake County Fair in Illinois (IPRA: Many
animals SHOCKED WITH 5,000-VOLT PRODS to force them to "perform."
September 1994 -- Fraternal Order of Police Rodeo in Lake
County, Illinois (PRCA: ELECTRIC SHOCK DEVICE used to force animals to
"perform." A steer is killed during the steer wrestling event. The dead
animal was hastily rolled onto a piece of section of fencing and rushed
from the area. A short time later, rodeo people paraded another steer in
front of the crowd, claiming it was the animal that had actually been
killed. A young man working as a volunteer through the Fraternal Order
of Police (FOP) uncovered the fraud. In fact, he was one of the people
who carried the dead steer out. He reported that everyone was told of
the INTENDED FRAUD, and everyone was warned to never talk about what had
really happened. This young man showed great bravery. He was the only
person among the rodeo cowboys or the Lake County Sheriff's Police who
told the truth. The PRCA stood behind the false claims of the stock
contractor, the Barnes Rodeo Company.
July 1995 -- California
Rodeo in Salinas, California (PRCA: Three horses killed (broken leg,
broken neck, heart attack), a steer dies of a broken neck, a calf's back
is broken. Although veterinarians were present, they did not euthanize
the calf, as they didn't want to "ruin the meat." The young animal lay
suffering for over an hour until he was finally taken to a
slaughterhouse, where he was killed.
July 1995 -- Wauconda Rodeo
in Wauconda, Illinois (IPRA): Several children shook up and/or crying
after falling during sheep riding.
1995 -- Lake County Fair in
Illinois (IPRA): Many animals shocked SHOCKED WITH 5,000-VOLT PRODS to
force them to "perform."
1995 -- Grundy County Fair Rodeo in
Mazon, Illinois (IPRA): ONE STEER'S TAIL IS PURPOSELY BROKEN (VIDEO
DOCUMENTED) IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE HIM RUN. One steer used with an open
wound. August 1995 Santa Barbara Fiesta Rodeo in Santa Barbara,
California (PRCA) A horse is gored after being improperly housed with a
bull in a holding pen. An individual not associated with law enforcement
fired three gun shots at the dying animal -- missing each time -- in
front of a large crowd that included children. The local sheriff, a
rodeo proponent, IGNORED THIS VIOLATION, WHICH IS A FELONY, CITY
AUTHORITIES ATTEMPTED TO SWEEP THE INCIDENT UNDER THE RUG.
1997
-- Kendall County Fair Rodeo, Yorkville, Illinois (IPRA): Many animals
SHOCKED WITH 5,000-VOLT PRODS to force them to "perform."
1997
-- San Dimas Rodeo, San Dimas, California (PRCA): Many animals SHOCKED
WITH 5,000-VOLT PRODS to force them to "perform."
August 1997 --
Kern County Fair Rodeo in Bakersfield, California (PRCA): A bucking
horse goes down, rolls, comes up with an apparently broken left front
leg and shoulder. The horse is forced into a stall, where he goes down
again. The rodeo never gave any more information on the horse's
condition.
August 1997 -- Boone County Fair Rodeo near Rockford,
Illinois (IPRA): A bucking horse suffers an injury to rear leg. No
information was given on horse's condition afterward. One rodeo clown
video is documented kicking a calf in the head and throwing sand in a
bull's eyes. Many animals SHOCKED WITH 5,000-VOLT PRODS to force them to
"perform."
August 1997 -- California State Fair (PRCA stock
contractor): A performing dog is injured in a fall. No report is given
on the dog's condition. Many animals SHOCKED WITH 5,000-VOLT PRODS to
force them to "perform." The cruelty was exposed via Sacramento-area
media. THE PRCA REFUSED TO TAKE ACTION.
August 1997 -- Big Bear,
California Rodeo (PRCA): Many animals had their tails twisted and raked
over bars. An ELECTRIC SHOCK DEVICE was used to force animals to
"perform." The organization Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK)
gathered undercover video footage for the television program "Hard
Copy." When the stock contractor was interviewed and asked about the
TAIL TWISTING and raking, and the use of ELECTRIC SHOCK, he denied it.
Hard Copy used a split screen to simultaneously show the cruelty and the
denial at the same time to a national audience. When shown video footage
of the shocking, the stock contractor initially denied it, then stated
he did not know who the man was. The man was the stock contractor's son.
THE PRCA REFUSED TO TAKE ACTION.
1997 -- Isleton, California
Rodeo (IPRA): Two horses used with open flank strap wounds, one bull
suffered open slices on sides, apparently from spurs. One bull checked
for back injuries. A rodeo worker disclosed two of the bull's siblings
had already died of broken backs while bucking. Many animals SHOCKED
WITH 5,000-VOLT PRODS to force them to "perform."
September 1997
-- Flat Rock Rodeo in Flat Rock, Michigan (PRCA): Many animals SHOCKED
WITH 5,000-VOLT PRODS to force them to "perform." The cruelty was
exposed to Detroit, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio area media. The rodeo
never returned.
October 1997 -- International Pro Rodeo
Association (IPRA): Regional Finals, Gordyville, Illinois A steer whose
head became stuck outside a fence was repeatedly kicked in the face and
head to force him back inside. A 5,000-VOLT ELECTIC SHOCK DEVICE was
used to force animals to "perform." The rodeo was attended by IPRA
President Jack Wiseman. When contacted, the IPRA stated it had no
problem that practice.
January 1998 -- Philadelphia Rodeo
(IPRA): Many animals shocked SHOCKED WITH 5,000-VOLT PRODS to force them
to "perform."
1998 -- World's Toughest Rodeo in Peoria, Illinois
(PRCA): Many animals SHOCKED WITH 5,000-VOLT PRODS to force them to
"perform."
1998 -- World's Toughest Rodeo in Rockford, Illinois
(PRCA): Many animals SHOCKED WITH 5,000-VOLT PRODS to force them to
"perform."
1998 -- World's Toughest Rodeo in St. Paul, Minnesota
(PRCA): Many animals SHOCKED WITH 5,000-VOLT PRODS to force them to
"perform."
March 1998 -- Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in
Houston, Texas (PRCA): One steer died of a broken neck, and two calves
suffered broken legs.
March 1998 -- World's Toughest Rodeo,
Rosemont, Illinois (PRCA): Horse suffers injured leg. No information
forthcoming regarding the horse's condition by rodeo officials. Many
animals SHOCKED WITH 5,000-VOLT PRODS to force them to "perform."
May 1998 -- Montgomery Rodeo in Skillman, NJ (APRA): ELECTRIC
PRODS used on steers and bulls confined in chutes to force them to
"perform." A steer suffered a deep gash on his back. Another steer
suffered a split horn and bloody cheek. Several sheep suffered leg
injuries after children's sheep riding. One steer was trampled by a
horse during team roping.
June 1998 -- Henry County Fair in
Cambridge, Illinois (IPRA): One horse used with open, raw, bloody flank
strap wound.
July 1998 -- Folsom Rodeo in Folsom, California
(PRCA): One bull and one calf suffer leg injuries. Rodeo promoters
admitted to the injuries, but would only say the victims received
"appropriate treatment."
July 1998 -- Wauconda Rodeo, Wauconda,
Illinois (IPRA): Multiple children hurt during sheep riding, multiple
horses with open, bloody flank strap wounds, one calf, one horse, one
steer injured. No further information given on injured animals or
children. On the contrary, the rodeo people claim that the animals are
fine. SHARK investigators waited to release video footage and still
pictures of rodeo injuries until stock contractor Thyrl Latting and two
IPRA judges claim that there were no animal injuries. In response to
SHARK documentation, Latting claims that flank strap wounds are not
wounds, but burns. We didn't bother to tell Mr. Latting that a burn is a
wound. Investigators also document inches of animal waste on the floor
of Latting's livestock trailer. Latting claimed he was unaware of the
trailer's condition. The rodeo was attended by IPRA President Jack
Wiseman. As Wiseman's camper/pickup pulled out of the rodeo grounds,
Wiseman's passenger displayed rodeo's concept of family values by giving
an obscene hand gesture to people, including children, who were
protesting cruelty to animals. Requests for an apology from Wiseman and
the IPRA went unanswered.
August 1998 -- Kendall County Fair
Rodeo, Yorkville, Illinois (IPRA): Many animals SHOCKED WITH 5,000-VOLT
PRODS to force them to "perform."
August 1998 -- Minnesota State
Fair Rodeo (PRCA): Many animals SHOCKED WITH 5,000-VOLT PRODS to force
them to "perform."
September 1998 -- Gurnee FOP Rodeo, Lake
County, Illinois (PRCA): Many animals SHOCKED WITH 5,000-VOLT PRODS to
force them to "perform."
January 1999 -- National Western Stock
Show in Denver, CO (PRCA): A bucking horse crashed into a wall headfirst
and died from a broken neck. In a second incident during the same rodeo,
a bucking horse had his back broken and was killed.
May 1999 --
Montgomery Rodeo in Skillman, NJ (APRA): ELECTRIC PRODS used to force
the animals to "perform."
July 1999 -- Wauconda Rodeo in
Wauconda Illinois (IPRA): One child injured during sheep riding,
multiple flank strap wounds on horses, multiple horses with injured
legs. No further information given on outcome of either wounded animals
or children.
July 1999 -- Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta,
Canada (PRCA): One horse killed.
July 1999 -- Kane County Fair
Rodeo, St. Charles, Illinois (IPRA): One bull used with open cuts. Many
animals SHOCKED WITH 5,000-VOLT PRODS to force them to "perform."
1999 -- Rapid City Rodeo in South Dakota (PRCA): Many animals
SHOCKED WITH 5,000-VOLT PRODS to force them to "perform."
March
2000 -- World's Toughest Rodeo in Des Moines, Iowa (PRCA): Many animals
SHOCKED WITH 5,000-VOLT PRODS to force them to "perform."
May
2000 -- Montgomery Rodeo in Skillman, NJ (APRA): ELECTRIC PRODS used to
force the animals to "perform." One bull suffered bleeding ears and
horns.
May 2000 -- Festival of Flags Rodeo in Killeen, Texas
(PRCA): Two horses injured. One suffered facial lacerations, and one a
leg injury. No veterinarian on site, which is a VIOLATION OF PRCA HUMANE
RULES. In fact, the rodeo veterinarian stated that only the horse with
the facial lacerations was reported to him. In addition, the vet said he
had been required to sign a PRCA form listing the animals injured at the
rodeo, and that only one horse, the one with the facial lacerations, had
been listed. Also, PRCA rules require a conveyance to remove injured
livestock. The rodeo vet stated that he never saw such a conveyance.
June 2000 -- Livermore Rodeo in Livermore, California (PRCA): A
bucking horse broke her neck and died. Although two reporters from the
Tri-Valley Herald witnessed the death, and although the paper's
photographer took pictures, there was no mention of the accident. This
illustrates how some media is willing to cover-up the truth about rodeo
cruelty.
July 2000 -- National High School Rodeo Association
(NHSRA): Finals Rodeo, Springfield, Illinois Dozens of animals shocked,
and many animals subjected to extreme TAIL TWISTING AND TAIL RAKING.
SHOCKING ANIMALS TO MAKE THEM PERFORM violates NHSRA humane rules.
Initial reports from the NHSRA indicate no animals injured. However,
following a SHARK press conference wherein footage of cruelty violations
and injury did occur, the NHSRA admitted six animals were injured.
Repeated attempts by SHARK to establish dialogue with NHSRA management,
including registered letters, proved unsuccessful.
September
2000 -- Bell County Fair Rodeo in Belton, Texas (PBR): Bulls SHOCKED
while in chutes TO MAKE THEM BUCK FROM PAIN.
October 2000 --
Arkansas State Fair Rodeo in Little Rock, Arkansas (PRCA): Many animals
SHOCKED IN CHUTES, WHICH VIOLATES PRCA HUMANE RULES.
October
2000 -- Liberty, Texas (PRCA): Many animals shocked in chutes, violating
the PRCA's humane rules. There was also a "Calf Scramble," in which over
a dozen children were set upon very small calves. For over 15 minutes,
the children treated the calves so roughly that OVER HALF THE YOUNG
ANIMALS COLLAPSED FROM STRESS AND EXHAUSTION. TREATMENT INCLUDED
HEADLOCKS, TAIL PULLING AND TWISTING, DRAGGING, JUMPING ON THEM, etc.
CALVES WHO WOULDN'T OR COULDN'T GET UP ON THEIR OWN WERE MANHANDLED TO
THEIR FEET BY THEIR EARS AND TAILS BY A RODEO CLOWN.
October
2000 -- Texas Regional Steer Roping Finals in Del Rio, Texas (PRCA): The
worst tail raking ever witnessed by SHARK investigators. There was NO
VETERINARIAN ON SITE when a steer was injured, WHICH VIOLATES PRCA
HUMANE RULES. The victim was rolled onto a sled, dragged to a gate,
rolled off the sled and dragged out of sight without a prior checkup,
possibly increasing the seriousness of the injury. Personal
conversations with rodeo employees indicated the steer suffered a
dislocated shoulder, while other employees said the steer was perfectly
fine. This would lead to the question of why a "perfectly fine" animal
was dragged out of the arena. Rodeo employees admitted there was no
veterinarian present. The fate of the injured steer is unknown.
November 2000 -- Grand National Rodeo at the San Francisco Cow
Palace (PRCA): A bull suffers a broken neck and dies. The rodeo
announcer says the bull is just knocked out, and claims "this has
happened hundreds of times." The announcer went on to make jokes about
how the bull was "gonna have a big headache when he wakes up."
December 2000 -- National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada
(PRCA): A calf was injured during calf roping. The degree of injury is
unknown. Several witnesses declared the calf dead due to the trauma she
suffered, and as she was motionless the entire time she was being
removed. The PRCA claimed the calf recovered. However, the PRCA has not
supplied SHARK with video footage that could be used to review the
incident, in spite of the fact the PRCA has multiple cameras filming
every contestant of every event. This fact, plus the PRCA's HISTORY OF
COVERING UP ANIMAL INJURIES AND DEATHS, INDICATES to us THAT THE CALF
DID INDEED DIE.
Note: This is only a partial list of PRCA
violations of what you consider to be "humane standards" for rodeo
animals. Animals (and humans) will be injured and maimed at these
events.
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