End Rodeo and Chuckwagon Cruelty at the Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede rodeo is a spectacle of trauma and violence, causing immense animal suffering. Sensitive horses, cows, and calves are lassoed, wrestled, or roped to the ground in inhumane bucking, wrestling and roping events. These unwilling animal participants experience pain, injuries, fear, and sometimes death.
The first horse of 2022 has died after being injured in the Calgary Stampede chuckwagon races on Thursday night, a dangerous event that results in the death of horses nearly every year. This is the first time the races have returned to the Stampede since six horses died in 2019.
At this year's Calgary Stampede, shocking video footage emerged as well, showing a horse being repeatedly hit in the face during a bronc riding event.
Over 100 animals have died in Stampede events since 1986. Horses suffer heart attacks or break legs and are euthanized, and calves have bones broken as they are thrown in rope events. Under Alberta and Canadian law, it’s illegal to inflict distress and suffering onto animals, yet enforcement officials refuse to prosecute rodeo cruelty.
Please tell the Calgary mayor that the Stampede doesn't need rodeo events to flourish, and most guests don't patronize rodeo. Stampede concerts, carnival rides, games, and parades already make it a great celebration—no cruelty required. It's time to stamp out rodeo cruelty for good!