VOICE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE LOS ANGELES RODEO DEVICE BAN
Los Angeles Councilmember Bob Blumenfield introduced the Rodeo Device Ban in February 2021. The Ban, Ordinance #20-1575, will prohibit the use of the rodeo’s torture devices - electric prods, shocking devices, wire tie-downs, and bucking straps.
The L.A. City Council needs to hear public comment from everyone in support of the Ban. The rodeo industry has been heavily lobbying Council Members to vote against the ban, which is why it’s important to voice your support.
Click here to leave a public comment of support for the Rodeo Device Ban on the L.A. City Council file. Note: After you comment on the L.A. City website, an email verification link will be sent to the email address you provided. Click on the verification link in order for your comment to officially count.
Sample statement: Please pass the L.A. Rodeo Device Ban. A recent poll of 600 Los Angeles voting residents showed 72% support the ban. There is no excuse for animal abuse in Los Angeles.
The rodeo ban can be a victory, but your voice is needed. Click here for our downloadable and printable Rodeo Fact Sheet
A final council vote on the Rodeo Device Ban is coming soon. We will be sending out an action alert email asking for people to participate the day of the vote. Sign up here for our email alerts.
RODEO CAMPAIGN TIMELINE
Rodeos, and stand-alone bull riding events, glorify animal abuse as they masquerade as family entertainment. For example, horses and bulls do not buck naturally. These are scared animals bucking to escape torture devices common place at rodeos, such as electric prods, flank straps, and spurs. Afterwards, animal injuries can be numerous; broken bones, ripped tendons, torn ligaments, and snapped necks.
APRIL 2023 - PROTEST RODEO AND BULL RIDING EVENTS IN YOUR TOWN
Protest rodeo and bull riding events during the month of April. See if your town is listed here and go out and support the animals that suffer in rodeos.
FEBRUARY 25 & 26, 2023 - BULL RIDING PROTEST IN LOS ANGELES, CA
Protesters spent a rainy weekend protesting PBR (Professional Bull Riders) in front of the Crypto.com Arena, where bulls were tortured and forced to perform in the "Unleash the Beast" bull riding events. READ PRESS RELEASE HERE.
FEBRUARY 11, 2023 - BULL RIDING PROTEST IN PALM DESERT, CA
PBR (Professional Bull Riders) brought its exhibition of animal cruelty to the newly opened Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California. Local activists joined LCA to speak out against the inherent abuse of animals in bull riding.
DECEMBER 7, 2022 - LOS ANGELES RODEO DEVICE BAN PASSES THE PAAWS COMMITTEE
The Los Angeles Rodeo Device Ban passed the Personnel, Audits, and Animal Welfare (PAAW) Committee. Councilmembers Paul Koretz and Marqueece Harris-Dawson both voted in favor of the Ordinance. The Ordinance will now advance to the L.A. City Council for a full vote. READ PRESS RELEASE HERE.
NOVEMBER 14, 2022 - A POLL OF 600 LOS ANGELES VOTING RESIDENTS SHOWS 72% SUPPORT THE "TOOLS OF TORMENT" RODEO ORDINANCE
As the L.A. City Council considers an ordinance that would ban "Tools of Torment" from rodeo events in the city of Los Angeles, a new poll, by Washington D.C. based Lincoln Park Strategies commissioned by LCA, found overwhelming support for the ban. A poll of 600 Los Angeles voting residents found 72% support banning electric prods, flank straps, and other tools that force animals in rodeos to perform.
The poll showed strong support for the Ordinance across all demographic groups, including 70% approval among African-American respondents and 67% among Latino respondents. 80% of respondents did not know the rodeo was held in Los Angeles or knew very little about them. Only 11% of respondents ever attended a rodeo event in L.A. and over 50% of people who attended a rodeo event supported the ordinance. READ PRESS RELEASE HERE.
OCTOBER 2022 - ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA BANS WILD COW MILKING
LCA submitted letters of support to the Board of Supervisors for an amendment to Alameda County Ordinance 5.08, that would ban wild cow milking events. In October 2022, the Board of Supervisors passed the ban unanimously.
AUGUST 12-13, 2022 - BULL RIDING PROTESTS IN ANAHEIM, CA
LCA, along with Orange County Animal Liberation, hosted two protests against the Professional Bull Riding (PBR) event at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. READ PRESS RELEASE HERE.
FEBRUARY 22, 2022 – BULL RIDING PROTEST IN LOS ANGELES
PBR (Professional Bull Riders) brought its exhibition of animal abuse to the Crypto.com Arena for the "PBR Pluto TV Invitational" bull riding competition.
LCA, joined by local animal rights groups and dedicated activists, protested the cruel "sport" of bull riding and the abhorrent abuse bulls are routinely subjected to at rodeos - including tools of torture (tight flank straps, spurs, electric prods) and the resulting physical traumas of bull riding (broken limbs, torn ligaments, and pulled muscles).
A few days before the event, a bull was injured at a different PBR event in Knoxville, TN. Click here to see the video. Rodeo lobbyists claim that bulls forced to compete in riding competitions claim the animals are so "well-treated", they have won 'the animal lottery'. Suffering gruesome injuries and being subjected to tools of torture does not resemble hitting the lottery.
FEBRUARY 2, 2022 - PETITION CREATED URGING CRYPTO.COM ARENA TO BUCK THE RODEO
7,260 signatures were gathered on LCA's petition created to urge the Crypto.com Arena to cancel the bull riding event scheduled for 2/22/2022. Animal abuse was on full display at the “PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Pluto TV Invitational” event.
LCA's group sign-on letter, signed by a coalition of 9 animal rights groups, was directed at the Crypto.com Arena (link to letter) demanding the cancellation of the PBR event on 2/22/22. The Crypto.com Arena did not respond. READ PRESS RELEASE HERE.
JANUARY 2, 2022 - L.A. RODEO ORDINANCE STALLED
LCA learned the L.A. City Rodeo Ordinance, that would ban the use of rodeo torture devices that torment animals into performing, is stalled in committee. While the city council dragged their heels, the rodeo will came to the Crypto.com Arena on 2/22/2022. The rodeo industry has lobbied heavily for the city council to vote against the pending bill. It is important for all of us to speak up against the rodeo performing in Los Angeles and keep the pressure on the rodeo industry and L.A. City Council.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 - L.A. CITY ATTORNEY POSTS PROPOSED RODEO ORDINANCE - PUTTING BILL INTO MOTION
The L.A. City Attorney's office posted the proposed Rodeo Ordinance on the City Council website, officially putting the bill in motion for a vote. The next step is for the Personnel, Audits, and Animal Welfare Committee to vote on the Ordinance. If the vote is favorable, the Ordinance will be referred to the L.A. City Council to be voted on and passed into law.
The newly posted language of the Ordinance reads, "It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct, operate, or participate in a Rodeo at which any animal is induced or encouraged to perform through the use of any practice or technique, or any chemical, mechanical, electrical, manual device, or other similar device or implement, that will cause, or is likely to cause, physical injury, torment, or suffering. Prohibited devices include, but are not limited to, electric prods or shocking devices, flank or bucking straps, wire tie-downs, sharpened or fixed spurs or rowels, and lariats or lassos". Click here to read the full Ordinance.
OCTOBER 2021 - L.A. ANTI-RODEO BILLBOARDS ARE PLACED THROUGHOUT THE CITY
LCA placed 20 billboards around Los Angeles in support of the Rodeo Ordinance that would ban torture devices at rodeos. The billboards feature a bull roped in the mouth with the text "L.A.: Help Ban Torture Devices at the Rodeo" to raise public awareness about the issue.
In October 2021, LCA placed 20 anti-rodeo billboards thoughout the city of Los Angeles
FEBRUARY 23, 2021 - LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL VOTES YES TO DRAFT ORDINANCE BANNING TORTURE DEVICES AT RODEOS
L.A. City Council unanimously voted in favor of a motion, (File 20-1575),to draft an Ordinance banning the use of inhumane implements in rodeos and rodeo events. The next step is for the City Attorney to draft and then post the Ordinance on the City Councili Website.
FEBRUARY 17, 2021 - LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL "PAAW" COMMITTEE MOVES FORWARD TO BAN TORTURE DEVICES AT RODEOS.
A Personnel, Audits, and Animal Welfare Committee meeting was held, and a rodeo inhumane implements ban was one of the items on the agenda. The Committee voted in favor of the ban and it will now be referred to City Council to vote on. If City Council votes in favor of the ban motion, it will be referred to the LA City Attorney to draft the official Ordinance.
The L.A. City Council File # 20-1575, is titled "Inhumane Implements / Electric Prods or Shocking Devices / Flank or Bucking Straps / Wire Tiedowns / Sharpened or Fixed Spurs or Rowels / Prohibition / Rodeo Events" and was put forward in December 2020 by CouncilMember Bob Blumenfield (District 3) and seconded by CouncilMember Mitch O'Farrell (District 13).
PREVIOUS RODEO CAMPAIGNS
FEBRUARY 8, 2020 - BULL RIDING PROTEST AT LOS ANGELES STAPLES CENTER
LCA and a coalition of animal rights groups held a demonstration at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA, to protest the Professional Bull Riders' (PBR) exhibition of animal cruelty. The demonstration drew a large crowd of passionate animal advocates to protest the abhorrent cruelty of bull riding - a "sport" that abuses animals for profit. LCA started a petition urging the LA City Council to ban rodeos and rodeo type events in Los Angeles. Click here to sign the petition urging the Los Angeles City Council to ban rodeos!
JULY 14, 2019 - HELP BAN CHUCKWAGON RACES IN CALGARY, CANADA
Three horses were euthanized after sustaining serious injuries during the final night of chuckwagon races at the Calgary Stampede's Rangeland Derby. In total, six horses were killed--making this 10-day event the deadliest in almost a decade! Click here to sign the petition urging the Calgary City Council to ban the cruel chuckwagon races!
FEBRUARY 23, 2019 - BULL RIDING PROTEST AT LOS ANGELES STAPLES CENTER
LCA, along with actress/activist Donna D'Errico and a coalition of animal rights organizations, protested PBR's (Professional Bull Riders) abhorrent abuse of bulls for profit. The demonstration at the Staples Center drew a large crowd of protesters who educated passers-by on the cruelties of bull riding. This was the firs time PBR's "Unleash the Beast" Tour brought its exhibition of animal cruelty for their "Iron Cowboy" bull riding competition.
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JULY 16 - 19, 2015 - ANTI-RODEO ADS ON MAJOR NETOWRKS
LCA and fellow animal rights organization, SHARK (Showing Animals Respect and Kindness), released four anti-rodeo television ads showing the truth of animal cruelty in rodeos. The ads coincided with the Salinas Rodeo in California and aired on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and other major networks. Click here to read the press release.
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WHAT ARE RODEOS AND RODEO-TYPE ACTIVITIES?
Rodeo animals, like bulls and horses, are generally tame creatures who must be provoked into battle. Rodeo contestants practice their "sport" on numerous animals, at times injuring and killing many of them before they even enter the ring. Depending on the event, a contestant's score is based on how long he can ride a struggling animal, or how quickly he can overpower an animal, e.g., calf roping and steer wrestling. Sprains, broken bones, muscle pulls, saddle blisters, spur and flank strap wounds, broken ribs, bruising, and broken necks are all very common. Wounded animals are quickly removed while the rodeo announcer distracts the public, and animals that become too injured are killed.
BULL RIDING
Rodeo handlers often shock the bull repeatedly using a 5,000-volt electric prod while he is trapped in the bucking chute in order to torment him. In the ring, the bull bucks and struggles because of the pain inflicted by the flank strap while the participant attempts to control him. Bucking straps and spurs can cause the bull to buck excessively, thereby injuring him.
Bull Injuries
- Broken legs
- Broken back
CALF ROPING
Three- to four-month-old calves are tormented in the holding pen. Their tails are frequently scraped across the pen’s metal bars until they bleed. Other times, their tails are twisted, or the animals are shocked with electric prods until the gate opens. As a result, they run quickly into the ring. The contestant, who is mounted on a horse, chases a calf, then lassoes him by the neck. The rope often jerks the calf into the air, snapping his head back and causing him to gasp for air. He then falls to the ground where the contestant ties three of the calf’s hind legs together so that he cannot move.
Calf Injuries
- Broken legs
- Back injuries and broken backs
- Spinal cord paralysis
- Neck injuries and broken necks
- Severed tracheas
- Internal hemorrhaging
- Damage to internal organs
- Bruises
- Torn ligaments
STEER WRESTLING
The contestant, mounted on a horse, chases the steer out of the holding chute. He grabs the steer’s horns while dismounting, twists the animal’s neck, and slams him to the ground.
Steer Injuries
- Broken necks
- Torn ligaments
- Broken bones
- Severed spinal cords
- Severed tracheas
- Internal bleeding
BRONC RIDING
The “flank” is the area of the animal’s body behind his rib cage. An adjustable belt called a “bucking strap” or “flank strap” is placed around the horse’s flank. The contestant tightens the belt, which pinches the animal’s groin and genitals, causing him to buck from the pain. He also spurs the horse.
Horse Injuries
- Broken neck
- Snapped spine
- Back problems
- Tears in leg tendons
BUCKING EVENTS
In the holding chute, handlers may incite the bucking horse by shocking her, pulling her mane or tail, or slapping her face. The bucking strap and spurs cause her great pain and sometimes produce bloody wounds in the flank area. She will buck uncontrollably as a result, sometimes slamming into fences, posts, or chutes. Eventually, she will trip and fall.
Horse Injuries
- Back injuries
- Leg injuries
STEER TRIPPING
A steer is forced to run while the mounted contestant throws a rope around his horns. He then flips the rope to the right side of the steer, while turning his horse, who is galloping, to the left. The steer’s head and neck are jerked, causing him to be tripped, rolled, and dragged. His legs are then tied. If the steer does not stay down the first time, he will be tripped and dragged until he does so.
Steer Injuries
- Fractured horns
- Neck injuries
- Back sores
- Hip sores
TRICKS OF THE TRADE — PAINFUL TOOLS USED TO INCITE RODEO ANIMALS
- Electric prods
- Sharp sticks
- Caustic ointments
- Flank straps
- Whips
- Raking spurs
RULES AND REGULATIONS
There is no overall code of rules applicable to all rodeos. The rules that do exist are inadequate and leniently enforced, and penalties are very weak. Rodeo contestants are rarely disciplined for injuring or even killing an animal. Rules requiring a veterinarian to be present at every event and to provide immediate veterinary attention to injured animals must be established and enforced at once.
TRANSPORTATION
Rodeo animals travel constantly in cramped, double-deck trailers or pens. The trailers are frequently inadequately ventilated, and the animals are often fed and watered erratically. They do not receive proper veterinary care. Animals that break free from their pens are commonly shot by police.
DEATH
Rodeo calves, cows, and steers are seen as expendable. Thus, most live rather short lives. Almost all rodeo animals end up in the slaughterhouse.
