Stampede out of step with public opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/07/2022 (1227 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LIKE most years’ events, the 2022 edition of the Calgary Stampede did not go off without a hitch. As predicted, yet another animal died as a result of injuries incurred at one of the rodeo events, and countless other animals were forced to endure stress and fear.

Animal advocates have long been calling for an end to harmful rodeo events in Canada, and it seems most Canadians agree, as a recent national survey shows 61 per cent of the country does not believe animals should be used in rodeos. Yet here we are, set to welcome back the Manitoba Stampede, taking place in Morris this weekend.

You’d think organizers would heed this information on shifting attitudes about the use of animals in rodeo and would learn from the annual tragedies at the Calgary Stampede. Unfortunately, it seems entertaining a certain sector of the paying public takes priority over protecting terrified animals, and perhaps even abiding by the law.

The three-day Manitoba Stampede includes all the usual rodeo chaos: deadly chuckwagon races, cruel calf roping, stressful steer racing and more. There will even be a chance for kids to get in on the animal-harming in an event called “mutton bustin’,” which allows children to attempt to hang on to and ride frantic fleeing sheep.

The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association calls it “sanctioned cruelty.”

In a joint statement, the Winnipeg Humane Society and the national animal law organization Animal Justice are calling for the Manitoba Stampede and law enforcement to cancel the “mutton bustin’,” tie-down calf roping, chuckwagon and other rodeo events. The groups say the events likely violate federal and provincial animal-cruelty laws and must not be allowed to proceed.

That’s because they cause unnecessary stress and suffering. Research shows calves involved in the tie-down event exhibit visible signs of anxiety and fear, as well as elevated levels of stress hormones following the event. Tie-down and other rodeo events are also known to greatly increase risk of injury, and even death. More than 70 horses have died at the Calgary Stampede since 1986, according to the Vancouver Humane Society.

“Federal and provincial laws are clear: it’s illegal to cause distress and suffering to animals in the name of entertainment,” said Kaitlyn Mitchell, a Winnipeg-based lawyer with Animal Justice, in the joint statement. “Tie-down calf roping, mutton busting and other rodeo events are not exempt from our animal cruelty laws.

“If the Manitoba Stampede chooses to go ahead with these violent and unnecessary events, it is our expectation that the Stampede’s organizers will be held to account for any violations of federal or provincial animal cruelty laws.”

Animal Justice has already filed a complaint with law enforcement authorities asking that they prohibit tie-down calf roping and mutton busting at the Manitoba Stampede. The group also requested animal protection officers attend the stampede to enforce provincial animal-protection laws, and have received confirmation that officers will be present.

Owing to such concerns around the use of animals in rodeos, some jurisdictions, including Vancouver and Germany, have banned certain events, such as tie-down calf-roping. Several U.S. cities and states have banned the use of especially cruel rodeo tools such as spurs and electric prods. And some countries and regions — including the U.K. and the Australian Capital Territory — have banned rodeo outright.

“Tie-down calf roping and mutton busting events are outdated and inhumane forms of entertainment that cause juvenile animals to unnecessarily experience distress and potential injury as they’re chased, roped, tackled and more,” Winnipeg Humane Society animal welfare specialist Brittany Semeniuk said in the statement.

The group currently has a petition online calling on the Manitoba Stampede to end calf roping. “These events are increasingly out of step with the values of Manitobans,” Semeniuk added. “The Manitoba Stampede concerts, midway, concessions and parades already make it a great celebration — there is no need for these types of events to exist in a modern, humane society.”

Indeed, there is nothing Manitoban about causing stress, fear and harm to animals for mere amusement. It’s time for the Manitoba Stampede to listen to 61 per cent of Canadians and end the use of animals in rodeo.

Jessica Scott-Reid is a Winnipeg-based freelance writer and animal advocate.