The Western Web

Criticism of rodeos

Animal rights activists are vocal critics of rodeos, because of reported injuries and distress to the animals involved. The American Humane Society contends that rodeos are not an accurate or harmless portrayal of ranching skills; rather, they display and encourage brutal treatment of animals in the name of sport.

However, much of the criticism is drawn to the spectacular, but generally harmless (to the animals) rough stock events: bull riding, bareback bronc riding and saddle bronc riding. The timed events such as calf roping and especially steer roping pose a greater likelihood of injury to the animals. The rodeo associations have made some changes to reduce the chances of injury, such as requiring older, heavier calves for calf roping, larger steers for steer wrestling and many rodeos no longer have steer roping. In addition, severe penalties have been enacted for any techniques that increase the risk to the animal, such as jerking the rope, in effect ensuring that any cowboy using such tactics will lose or be disqualified from the event.

Overall, the reality is that the risk of injury or death is much greater to the human participants than to the animals.

Rodeo associations claim that animal abuse is not tolerated and may fine, suspend or ban individuals found abusing animals.