PETITION TO SAVE RODEO IN LOS ANGELES – SUPPORT NEEDED
Note from Protect The Harvest
On February 26th, 2021, we published an article, and in partnership with Western Justice, started a campaign to inform animal owners of threats to rodeo and other animal activities from an ordinance that is being written by the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office. The LA City Attorney was tasked to write the ordinance based on language used in a Pittsburg ban which contains over reaching and dangerous language. Specifically the PIttsburg ordinance reads, “
any (sic) event in which animals are induced or encouraged to perform through the use of any practice or technique;”. This language is extremely alarming and everyone who owns and competes with animals should take notice. Should this legislation move forward all animal activities are at risk. Dog shows, horse shows, including reined cow horse, reining, breed shows, barrel races, hunter jumper and dressage shows would fall under this language as well. Livestock shows and 4-H and FFA exhibitions would also be included as well as educational exhibitions. Training is exactly what the Pittsburgh ordinance was attacking when they used the words, “practice or technique.”
To read our article click
HERE
Petition Orginized by Our Friends at Western Justice
Click HERE to sign
Western Justice:
“On February 17th, 2021, Los Angeles City Council members voted unanimously for the city attorney to draft an ordinance banning certain devices used in rodeo and rodeo activities. Items include electric cattle prods, sharpened spurs, wire tie-downs and flank straps. These items, if used in rodeo at all, are carefully regulated and monitored by industry professionals.
The original motion utilized typical extremist rhetoric, falsely and sensationally describing the items in question as “tools of torment” used to “provoke aggressive responses from normally docile animals, for the sake of entertaining audiences.” It was filed by a council member with an extensive history in aligning with Animal Rights groups and their animal extremism ideology.
The statements not only show an absence of actual hands-on experience with rodeo, livestock, and livestock handling in general, but they display the tactics used by extremists to map their path to end animal ownership. It is truly a shame that City Council votes were cast based on false claims and untruths about the rodeo community and the treatment of their respected and admired animal athletes.
It is important the Western lifestyle communities stand together to protect our rights as animal owners. If your lifestyles, hobbies, or livelihoods include animals, they are at risk. We need to help educate the public about our traditions, animal behavior, husbandry, and most importantly, our commitment to the welfare of animals. It is imperative the untruths created and perpetuated by animal extremists be recognized, revealed, and rejected.
Join us in signing the petition and be part of our collective voice, presenting knowledge, experience, and legitimate, objective research to lawmakers to preserve and protect the tradition and future of rodeo and rodeo activities in the City of Los Angeles.
Here are some facts about Rodeo-
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) has over 60 rules in place governing animal welfare and humane handling. There is always a licensed veterinarian on site at PRCA rodeos. All animals are inspected and evaluated for illness, weight, eyesight, and injury before the rodeo, and no animals that are sore, lame, sick, or injured are allowed to participate.
The rate of animal injuries in PRCA rodeos is statistically negligible. A study was done that involved 60,244 animal exposures (occurrences of an animal being bucked or roped), covering 148 rodeo performances and 70 sessions of slack. Out of those 60,244 exposures, there were only 28 injuries. Electric cattle prods were developed by the cattle industry professionals, and are considered to be one of the most humane methods to initiate movement in cattle during handling. Cattle prods run on D cell batteries and produce volts, not amperage. PRCA rules state that prods can only be used when an animal is stalled in the chute, and then only on the hip and shoulder areas.
Flank straps for horses are fleece or Neoprene lined, while those for bulls are soft cotton rope that can also be lined with Neoprene. They simply work as a signal for the animal to buck. Professional, licensed veterinarians have gone on record stating that flank straps cause absolutely no harm. They are placed around the “waist” of the horse or bull and are no tighter than a belt would be tightened on a person. Flank straps are not placed around the genitalia, and in fact, a flank strap that is too tight actually prevents an animal from moving.
In Roughstock events, spurs are required to be dull. In bareback and saddle bronc events, the rowel (the part that turns) is required to be loose so that the spur rolls on the horse’s hide. In bull riding, the spur also must be dull, but the rowel can be loosely locked. It’s important to note that human skin is about 1-2mm thick, while a horse’s skin is 5mm and a bull’s 7mm thick, so it is virtually impossible for them to cut the animal’s hide.
Join us in supporting the Rodeo community and the future of Rodeo and Rodeo activities in the City of Los Angeles.
For more information or to view the City Council documents visit
www.WesternJustice.info “
