Tell us your thoughts about rodeo!
Los Angeles city council member Bob Blumenfield introduced an ordinance to ban the use of certain rodeo implements (spurs, electric prods, flank straps and lariats) passed its Los Angeles city council committee hearing on December 7th, 2022. The ordinance will go before the full city council in January 2023.
Over 21 years of rodeo injury reports were just released via public records requests of the California Veterinary Medical Board. The documents can be seen here.
The reports showed 35 animals died or were euthanized immediately after an accident, 28 of those deaths occurred during the event and 12 of those were bucking horses. In 14 cases, the fate of the animal is left unclear.
The L.A. Times published a deep dive into these documents on December 7th, it shows how rodeo contestants refuse to allow their animals to be treated. Dr. Wayne Merhoff of Red Bluff was denied access to a calf who broke his leg with Merhoff reporting “Personal property rights are in conflict with my efforts to attend to these animals,” he noted that several animals had been reported injured at the round-up, but their owners refused to let him see them.
In some years, no injuries were reported. “The fact that in some years no injuries were reported is statistically impossible,” said Eric Mills, coordinator for Oakland’s Action for Animals.
The L.A. Times reports “Blumenfield, who co-sponsored the bill and represents the San Fernando Valley, said the ordinance would not affect non-rodeo equestrian activities, which generally do not require the items singled out in the measure.”