Rodeos are dangerous for the animals involved
There are better ways to celebrate our relationship with animals
Rodeo is entertainment at the expense of animals' well being. (Flicker/Algiers Photography)
While there may be many veterinarians on site to watch for any injuries or uneasiness caused to the animals during rodeo shows, it must be noted how dangerous these events actually are for the animals involved.
Valley West Stampede will host a rodeo on the Labour Day weekend in Langley, and is one of several rodeos that takes place in the Lower Mainland. While early versions of a rodeo displayed logical and practical skills that were required to successfully operate the ranch on a daily basis, today’s version has been majorly dramatized.
From roping and wrestling to riding in all forms, an animal’s well being is at risk in the rodeo.
The fear and distress in events can result in abrasions, broken ribs, limbs or necks. Rodeos also push the limits of animal behaviour to gain points and increase scores. Although people clearly know the risks, it’s concerning to see how little is being done about it.
The use of animal discomfort and unnatural behaviours are being used primarily for entertainment. There are many shows where rodeos are portrayed as all fun and games, such as Heartland. In the television series, some of the world’s best cowboys and cowgirls come together to create the “experience of a lifetime,” but this just proves how much the media manipulates even the most dangerous of carnival-like events.
An article by Vancouver Humane Society found that “calves show visible signs of anxiety and fear while being chased and have elevated levels of stress hormones after roping events.”
Suffering and risks of harm to the animals are put at the side for financial reward. It doesn’t just stop at the calves, and this is not right and should be stopped.
There are better ways to celebrate our relationships with animals. For example, Catfe and the Bunny Cafe in Vancouver allow people to engage with adoptable pets while having a coffee. These kinds of businesses prove the rodeo is not the way to build and foster relationships with animals.
We need to raise awareness of the distress, injury, and fear these animals go through and suffer for the sake of entertainment and performance. These dangers should become more prevalent as more stories of animal mistreatment are being released, and there needs to be a pause to the trauma these events cause animals.
My concern lies in the fact that we’ve been doing this for so long, that eventually we won’t know when or where to stop. While there is no ill intent towards these animals, the fact is rodeos cause harm on the animals.
