"Stop broadcasting the Calgary Stampede" - Humane Society of Canada
I have oftened wondered why the participants don't lasso and hogtie each other, and leave the innocent livestock alone:
Humane Society demands end to Stampede broadcasts
The Humane Society of Canada is asking Canada's broadcasting regulator to phase out the airing of Calgary Stampede events.
The animal-welfare group believes rodeo events during the 10 days of Stampede violate the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) code by glamourizing cruelty to animals during programming.
"Based on our experience on inspecting rodeos, they bear absolutely no relationship to modern-day, accepted, livestock handling practices," said Michael O'Sullivan, president of the Humane Society of Canada, on Thursday. "It's simply violence against animals for the sake of entertainment."
The complaint comes as the CBC plans a record 140 hours of coverage on CBC-TV, CBCSports.ca and its digital channel, bold, this year.
I'd be fine with someone making sure that the conditions the animals live in, the ways their fed, etc are improved. Hell, and I don't know if they even do this there, since I've never been to the Calgary Stampede, but if there were any sort of bullfighting activities like they do in Spain, Mexico etc, have that shit be banned. But you do realize that riding bronco's and bulls are more likely to cause injury to the rider than the animal, don't you? I guess there are events like roping calfs and lambs, and I suppose that could go. But I can't get all worked up about that seeing as I'm not even a vegetarian, although I don't eat Veal, and far more animals die because we think they taste good than the 40 that have died at Rodeo's since 1986.
I think, even for non-vegetarians, we can make a distinction between killing animals for food vs. torturing and killing them for entertainment.
I hate the damned thing, and consider it a national embarrassment.
Okay, let's get rid of all equestrian venues and events, and horse races too, no more coverage of them either on TV. No more dog shows either, I mean we can't tell if those dogs want to be treated that way, or not so we have to assume they do not.
Let's pretend also that calves and cows are not roped in reality, to have their horns or nuts cut off, or to get shots, tagged and/or branded.
The humane society would do better to ensure that slaughter houses are humane, than to target a venue that happens once a year for 2 weeks, for glamourizing cruelty to animals. Our food shows glamourize animal cruelty more than the Stampede does, IMV.
If equestrian events or dog shows cause unnecessary pain and death to animals, then they should be banned. I don't believe they do, however, but I'm not sure about equestrian events.
Remind, what did you think about my distinction between entertainment and food? Legitimate distinction, or irrelevant? What do you think of trophy hunting vs. hunting for food?
I don't want to go too far afield, but I'm interested to know.
Unionist, I think food has become entertainment, to the point of fetish almost. As such, how said food is obtained inhumanely is over-looked, or kept out of site, in the thrill seeking glamour of today's constant food entertainment bombardment. And billions more birds and animals die inhumanely in food production industry, than do at the Calgary Stampede, in one year.
Personally, I do not believe dogs want to endure, all the torturous primping and preening, by way of shampooing and blow drying, teasing and combing, in order to entertain. But it is the elite's choice of entertainment, so it is overlooked. Just as is horse racing, and other equestrian events are. And they too are being used to gain trophies and high breeding fees, by their owners.
I have no use for trophy hunters, and no real use for the Stampede either, but I will not compare them to the factory farms and slaughter houses and their inhumane practises, and find them worse. Sheer numbers are the deciding factor of what really needs to be actioned, and drawn attention to, as far as I am concerned.
This is just about as silly as the EU's ban on seal products, when they have much worse going on in their own backyard.
And perhaps the Humane Society should branch out and start indicating how inhumanely humans are being treated in Canada.
I see your point.
I see some of remind's points. Perhaps the Humane society wants to find an opening in popular consciousness and then go from there. It's defensible as a strategy.
I don't agree with (and am weary of) the old argument that it's somehow wrong to try to do anything about cruelty to non-human animals as long as there's cruelty to humans. I don't see why we can't oppose both and I have no problem with people focusing their efforts. It gets things done.
Rosa, I never said we couldn't oppose both, I said they should "branch out".
And I have a problem when people focus their effots on animals to the detriment of humans, like the EU has done. And I have an issue with the "humane" society focusing on the Calgary Stampede when millions in Canada are homeless, and many more are getting sick and dying from completely preventable unsanitary conditions, and unsafe practises because they are poor and marginalized.
Say nothing of their inactivity in respect to big money and their inhumane practises in factory farms and slaughter houses. They have got nothing done there in all the decades I have been watching.
I have no idea what kind of activism the Humane Society does or doesn't do but I do not think animal and human concern is mutually exclusive. The Humane Society is there for animals, not humans. There is no reason that I, or anyone else, cannot see the cruelty inherent in the Calgary Stampede and speak about it and also be equally as disgusted in the way human beings are treated. I also have zero issues with the EU banning seal products. I think the seal hunt is inhumane and cruel beyond belief. If everyone had to first "clean up their own backyards" we'd all be in a hell of a mess. No one is clean anywhere at all times. That's just life.
And yes, I am a vegetarian.
I don't agree with (and am weary of) the old argument that it's somehow wrong to try to do anything about cruelty to non-human animals as long as there's cruelty to humans. I don't see why we can't oppose both and I have no problem with people focusing their efforts. It gets things done.
I should have been more explicit. I didn't agree at all with remind's point about cruelty to human beings, and I do agree with you, RosaL. Her point which I saw was about cruelty to animals in the food industry. I know very little about that, except that PETA takes it on with a vengeance. If the Humane Society is selective, then that could be a problem. I guess my feelings are coloured by the fact that I consider the Calgary Stampede to be asinine, disgusting, and lowering the level of human civilization generally. I don't care if they hurt human beings in the process, but I certainly do care about the animals.
Oh...and in this instance you do not care about humans, but the animals, and yet you carried on ad naseum about the loss of human life through personal choices of snow mobiling and want laws to protect us from ourselves. And you want to protect 40 animals killed in 25 years, but yet know nothing about the inhumane slater houses, including at least one Kosher one, that kill billions in a year.
The cognative dissonance of it all.......
Unless of course your whole meme is to disparage the west?!
Unless of course your whole meme is to disparage the west?!
If you want to know my hidden agenda, I'm working with a coalition lobbying to move the Stampede to Trois-Pistoles. We're promising to use simulated animals. It will be a French-only event.
Unless of course your whole meme is to disparage the west?!
Remind, that is so unfair. We all know that Unionist has been instrumental in the fight against the Ontario Rodeo Circuit, protesting this weekend at the Warkville Rodeo and heading out to Orangeville at the beginning of August for their rodeo. http://www.ontariorodeo.com/Schedule.html
And I really respect the way he is leading the charge of the boycott of Dodge products over their sponsorship of the Ontario Rodeo circuit, as well as his work on the boycott of GM products over their sponsorship of the Calgary Stampede.
I have oftened wondered why the participants don't lasso and hogtie each other, and leave the innocent livestock alone:
Humane Society demands end to Stampede broadcasts
Because guys are already doing it on pay per view.
Still and all, I agree -- only a bunch of assholes think it's fun to hog tie baby animals. Look, I'm a hunter, I'm not some sort of vegan, but I think that the Stampede is disgusting.
My issue is with the Calgary Human Society who are doing nothing that I am aware of, to protect those animals from abuse at the Stampede, so shame on them.
They can be reached at 403-205-4455.
Their website is: http://www.calgaryhumane.ca/
I heard one of their spokespersons interviewed last weekend on the CBC and they are living in major denial. Quite sad, but really quite apparent.
Heywood probably volunteers for them.
I should have been more explicit. I didn't agree at all with remind's point about cruelty to human beings, and I do agree with you, RosaL. Her point which I saw was about cruelty to animals in the food industry. I know very little about that, except that PETA takes it on with a vengeance. If the Humane Society is selective, then that could be a problem. I guess my feelings are coloured by the fact that I consider the Calgary Stampede to be asinine, disgusting, and lowering the level of human civilization generally. I don't care if they hurt human beings in the process, but I certainly do care about the animals.
Oh, i see now. Yes, I agree about the food industry. I can't even watch the (ubiquitous) ads for the stampede....
My issue is with the Calgary Human Society who are doing nothing that I am aware of, to protect those animals from abuse at the Stampede, so shame on them.
What do you mean by abuse?
My issue is with the Calgary Human Society who are doing nothing that I am aware of, to protect those animals from abuse at the Stampede, so shame on them.
What do you mean by abuse?
This is from the Calgary Humane Society's guide to proper usage:
"Abuse" = inflicting pain on animals and exposing them to danger for no reason.
"Entertainment" = inflicting pain on animals and exposing them to danger for the amusement of a higher species.
i haven't read this whole thread, but the last line 'higher species' is, of course, debatable.
This is from the Calgary Humane Society's guide to proper usage:
"Abuse" = inflicting pain on animals and exposing them to danger for no reason.
"Entertainment" = inflicting pain on animals and exposing them to danger for the amusement of a higher species.
Hey! Great to see you Unionist? How's the protest of the Ontario Rodeo circuit going? Any word back yet from GM or Dodge over their sponsorship of the rodeos. In this market, I bet a boycott of their products would really get them to pay attention.
WRT the Calgary Humane Society, since you saw that part, you undoubledly saw their position on the stampede:
at the Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Humane Society's official policy on chuckwagon racing, rodeo and related forms of entertainment states: "the Calgary Humane Society (the Society) opposes the use of animals for any form of entertainment in which they are placed at risk of suffering stress, pain, injury or death. However, the Society recognizes that rodeo, chuckwagon racing and other related forms of entertainment involving the use of animals occur in Western Canada. Therefore, it is in the best interests of the animals involved that the Society work with those who use the animals to ensure the potential suffering is minimized."
As events, rodeo and chuckwagon races are not illegal.
This conflict of opposing the actual event and being the enforcement agency to ensure the animals' needs are being met puts the Calgary Humane Society (CHS) in a difficult position. Particularly in light of the fact that there is no way to absolutely protect the animals in rodeo and chuckwagon events - the risk for accident, injury and death is too great.
The CHS responsibility or obligation at rodeo events is to enforce the Animal Protection Act of Alberta. Therefore, the primary role of the CHS at the Stampede is to ensure animals are being properly treated, ie: food, water, shelter and care. When there is an accident we are there to ensure the animal is treated promptly, efficiently and humanely, and to follow up with unresolved cases.
The Stampede and owners of the animals have the responsibility to manage the risk to the animals in rodeo events. It is their job to implement changes for the safety of animals. Ultimately, the CHS wants no animals to be harmed at the Stampede - that is the goal they expect the Stampede to work towards.
It is up to the public or consumer to determine whether or not they should support rodeo/chuckwagon events. They would do this through informing themselves about rodeo by contacting organizations like the CHS, rodeo organizers, and others who are involved on both sides of the rodeo debate. Ultimately, it's the people who do or do not buy tickets that will affect rodeo in the future - they have the ability to speak the loudest.
Okay, let's get rid of all equestrian venues and events, and horse races too, no more coverage of them either on TV. No more dog shows either, I mean we can't tell if those dogs want to be treated that way, or not so we have to assume they do not.
Let's pretend also that calves and cows are not roped in reality, to have their horns or nuts cut off, or to get shots, tagged and/or branded.
The humane society would do better to ensure that slaughter houses are humane, than to target a venue that happens once a year for 2 weeks, for glamourizing cruelty to animals. Our food shows glamourize animal cruelty more than the Stampede does, IMV.
Bullshit. On the face of it, horse jumping and other equestrian events are no crueler for the horse than the rider. As for dog shows, its not on the face of it cruel to parade your dog around for a trophy. I agree with the cattle industry being cruel and animal rights groups ARE going after these practices, not to mention battery hens. I'm not a vegetarian, but I only eat free range chicken products and certified grass-fed beef, though I usually eat wild game that I have hunted (the ultimate organic experience). I guess hunting would be a bit more fair if I gave the elk a gun or took him on mano a mano, but we do the best we can.
The Rodeo is on the face of it cruel. Forget speculating what goes on behind the scenes, what we see is enough. Frankly, these cattle would be envious of the conditions that we keep criminals in. We treat terrorists and murders better than innocent animals for chrissakes. The Rodeo should not be banned, but the animals should be taken out of it. maybe these manly men could ride and brand each other and they could show that on TV (after 10 pm).
For the second time in a week, a horse has died at the Calgary Stampede
Oh, who cares - it's a small price to pay for the cheers the horse gets just before the end.
I'm sure we'll be hearing a detailed report from the Calgary [ahem] "Humane" Society about how the horses committed suicide or something.
I think it was hit by a snowmobiler-started avalanche.
Heywood, you have a heart as big as the great indoors.
Way to avoid the issue. Not that I'm really surprised.
Way to avoid the issue. Not that I'm really surprised.
What issue are you talking about? If GM or Chrysler or the CAW finance or support activities which are gratuitously cruel to animals, they should be publicly condemned for that - is that what you meant? Likewise, your Ontario Rodeo bloodfest (which I never heard of) should be shut down tomorrow, if not yesterday. Thrilled?
Is your brilliant argument that I can't question the uncivilized nature of the Calgary Stampede unless I dedicate my life to the wiping out of all similar and lesser-known events? Well then, I guess I plead guilty, and I have the utmost respect for your PhD in sophistry and rhetoric.
Meanwhile, you haven't even bothered yourself to tell us what you think about the subject matter of this thread. I guess we're to assume that you're with the "Ride 'em cowboy!" school of "thought", but because you have been known to emit the occasional serious post in the past, I reckon there may still be some hope that we'll see one here.
It's funny how this is being interpreted as an "attack on the West." Isn't Vancouver part of "the West" too?
Double post
It's funny how this is being interpreted as an "attack on the West." Isn't Vancouver part of "the West" too?
Attack on the west? will this kind of thing never end? Can't we just answer what people say without claiming to know their deepest motivations and what lurks in their subconscious? Why not just say "you have an evil spirit" and burn them!
Anyway, responding to the irrational and ridiculous: I live in the rural west. But maybe I have some deep ambivalence about that, eh? some sense of inferiority? some desire to curry favour with Toronto? Perhaps I fear ranchers or secretly wish I had a pick-up truck (well, that's true about the truck, except for the secret part) ....
...
Meanwhile, you haven't even bothered yourself to tell us what you think about the subject matter of this thread. I guess we're to assume that you're with the "Ride 'em cowboy!" school of "thought", but because you have been known to emit the occasional serious post in the past, I reckon there may still be some hope that we'll see one here.
You really illustrated the depth of your opposition to rodeo with that. You're offended because you saw an article or two about it. If you hadn't seen the articles (or news reports or whatever), you wouldn't have been offended at all. You were blind to the same events in your own backyard. So I can tell that you really give a damn.
How do I feel about the stampede? Those cowboys give far more love, attention, and care to all of their livestock than anyone who just eats beef and feeds their pets ever could consider. So I support it completely. It reminds the rest of the nation that beef comes from something with big brown eyes and long curly eyelashes, that dog food comes in part from horse meat, and that our food chain isn't shrink-wrapped in plastic. Think about that the next time you suck back a burger.
I drive a pickup truck, and I oppose the Stampede.
I drive a pickup truck, and I oppose the Stampede.
I drive a minivan and I support it.
I'm surprised that you don't drive a PT cruiser.
I drive a Diesel Ford F350 King Ranch; I hunt, I fish, and I have fought several successful barfights. I think the Calgary Stampede should be banned.
Big daddy is my new Internet crush.
I'm surprised that you don't drive a PT cruiser.
I drive a Diesel Ford F350 King Ranch; I hunt, I fish, and I have fought several successful barfights. I think the Calgary Stampede should be banned.
I'm not really sure what one drives has to do with supporting Rodeo.
ETA, I don't really think that Bb is eco-unfriendly.
Actually, my truck is a toy compared to Big Daddy's F350 - mine is a 2004 Mazda B3000 six cylinder.
Hey Boom Boom, that's pretty good. Any truck that is a 6 cylinder or higher is all right with me. It's the symbolism of driving a truck, in any case, which is important.
Now, Heywood, about this minivan that you drive. Is it a new one, you know with the television for the back seat passengers, or is it an old one done up with a bubble window and a bumper sticker that says"Don't laugh... your daughter may be in here." Because the latter I could respect...
However, I drove a Chev 30 dumptruck with duallies when I was 19 - now 40 years ago.
You're offended because you saw an article or two about it.
Not at all - I've always opposed all such events (including horse racing, if you want to open another sarcastic thread on that). What triggered my comments here was the observation that the Vancouver and Canadian Humane Societies had taken a strong activist stand, while the Calgary Humane Society was scared to do so (they must get lots of money from Stampede sponsors - that's my guess - or else they've just misread their constituency as being some sort of rednecks).
Well, I can tell that you really don't mean anything you say, whether on babble or in real life - and that you are homely and have a grating voice. But I guess you needed that insulting and baseless lead-in before presenting your first actual opinion on the topic of this thread.
Ok, that's cool. I would have preferred a more honest statement, but we'll have to make do with what we get I suppose.
It's payback time:
Pamplona bull run kills 1, injures 9
However, I drove a Chev 30 dumptruck with duallies when I was 19 - now 40 years ago.
OK so you have now moved up in my books from "ok guy" to "rock god!" You are the king.
It's payback time:
Pamplona bull run kills 1, injures 9
Hey Heywood, now there's a sport you should try since you're all cowboy! What I don't understand is that they broadcast the rodeo but they don't broadcast ultimate cagefighting on CBC. At least the participants in this are not animals...
OK so you have now moved up in my books from "ok guy" to "rock god!" You are the king.
Heh.
Oh, the patriarchialness of it all! "big daddies", "rock gods", and "kings" and the whole "mine is bigger" :rolleyes:
Exactly. So what kind of car do you drive, Remind. or should we move on and talk about Barbecues?
hmmmm....I think talking about patriarchial abuse and indicating sexism, is just fine and it fits with the topic at hand.
There's probably a fair bit of kidding here, Remind - maybe not the level of "The Red Green Show" but certainly along those lines.
The key is to go after the sponsors.
If enough people contact them about this animal abuse they will pull their support.
SHARK
(Showing animals respect and kindness)
http://www.sharkonline.org/?P=0000000924
The key is to go after the sponsors.
Which is exactly what I said. Go on.....boycott GM products.
As soon as my Cadillac is done, I won't buy any more.
Even God must be angry with Calgarians, dropping the price of oil like she has has done the past few weeks.
Let's invite Sarah to lead the protests against the Calgary animal abusers
Sarah Brown declines to eat veal at G8
Prime minister's wife has long-standing objections to what is a popular delicacy in Italy
But the prime minister's wife has long-standing objections to the meat, which is regarded as cruel by many British animal lovers because of the conditions in which calves are reared.
On both occasions when veal was offered, Brown turned it down, Downing Street sources said.
However, she has eaten some unusual Italian specialities during the visit, including green pea ice cream, which she said was "delicious".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jul/10/sarah-brown-refuses-veal
3rd animal dies at Calgary Stampede
This comment seems pretty apt to me:
I'm not a PETA type by any means, but I am pretty tired of the old bromides the folks associated with the Stampede rodeo trot out about their affection for the livestock everytime an animal gets injured. Anyone who has seen a rodeo cowboy clothesline a calf with a lasso or wrench a steer's neck around can see that it's a pretty brutal activity. The Stampede tries to sugarcoat that fact with its rhetoric, which is just as obnoxious as all of the animal rights folks screaming about the cruelty of it all as they munch on their hamburgers.
It's a pretty primal sport. People need to understand that when deciding whether to take in the Stampede rodeo. They don't need to be patronized by some guy with a twang in his voice who tells them, every two minutes, about the special bond between the cowboys and their animals.
Special bond? Cue the banjos
But you do realize that riding bronco's and bulls are more likely to cause injury to the rider than the animal, don't you?
You're right, but I think that's completely irrelevant here. Men and women who choose to participate in this form of "entertainment" are doing exactly that -- CHOOSING to put themselves in danger and risk their lives to get some cheers from the crowd. What we're talking about here is senseless torture of an animal, against it's will.
If I were to label myself, which I don't usually like to do, I'd be a pescetarian. I eat fish, so I could hardly call myself a vegetarian, but I consciously cut out most meat from my diet, and am deeply concerned about issues of food security and animal welfare. That said, I am usually the first to begrudge celebrities that fashionably support PETA, because of it's deeply misogynist and racist campaigns, and the way they jump on trendy bandwagons: Say maybe focusing on something traditional like the seal hunt when the real issues are factory farming, etc.
But I think the Calgary Stampede IS an issue that animal rights groups need to get behind, despite it's element of tradition. I'm as sentimental as it gets when it comes to upholding traditions, but not one where animals are dying and the standards for their well-being are shoddy at best. I'm not sure that not broadcasting the stampede is the right way to approach this -- because it is a tradition possibly worth upholding, however I think it's time to review the conditions and eliminate some of the events that are primitive in their treatment of animals.
Broadcasting the Stampede just encourages the 'yee haw!' crowd. It's 'in your face' insulting to everyone else.
Calgary, the dead animal capital of Canada.
This has become a national disgrace, and shame on the CBC for getting involved in the Stampede.
4th animal dies at Stampede
Death sparks protest
Animal rights activists from Calgary held a protest Saturday, saying the death highlights how the Stampede is a "cruel spectacle of animal abuse."
The Calgary Animal Rights Meetup Group staged a demonstration outside the Stampede grounds at the Victoria Park C-Train station.
In a written statement, the group said the death toll at this year's Stampede is evidence that all rodeo events need to go.
The group said it would continue to stage protests in order to let the world know "what an embarrassment this spectacle is to our city."
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2009/07/11/calgary-stampede-fourt...
Excellent, thanks NorthReport. Apparently the anti-animal Calgary "Humane" Society isn't the only show in town. They should be ashamed of themselves.
What's wrong with the Calgary Humane Society?
They are so ashamed to be fronting for this animal slaughter they are afraid to even answer the door.
Rodeo fans are split on the tragic death of a steer that was injured during a wrestling event and had to be euthanized.
First time rodeo-watcher Lisa Spelling said she didn't see how it happened but she heard about it.
"I know that I probably shouldn't have been here watching the show, but I still think it's tragic that the poor little thing had to die for the sake of entertainment," said Spelling, of Winnipeg.
FEELS GUILTY
"I don't like that part of rodeo. I'm here to check it out. I feel a little guilty because I'm kinda supporting it."
Francis Courtney agreed, saying he actually stepped out when steer wrestling was on.
"I'm a dude but, the little animals they put out there to be roped in just looked so defenceless ... I think this is the last time I'm going to pay money to watch rodeo."
On a stretcher like an injured athlete, the steer was carried out of the arena Thursday, after it was taken to the ground by steer wrestler Joey Bell Jr., of Athens, Texas.
/http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/alberta/2009/07/11/10097856-sun.html
I too would like to see Heywood's opinions of horse racing, considering the monsterous taxpayer subsidies for this rich man's activity in Alberta. I'm sure our resident fiscal conservative is in complete disagreement with the PC government of this province about this collossul waste of taxpayer dollars, right?
Not to mention the subsidies that the Calgary stampede receives.
"The Alberta SPCA and the Calgary Humane Society are on par with us at every performance of the rodeo and the chuck wagons races and they are there to observe and if they see something wrong they let us know," said Stampede Spokesman, Doug Fraser.
http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090629/CGY_calf_roping_090629/20090629/?hub=CalgaryHome
Why we oppose the Stampede rodeo and chucks
Animal deaths could be prevented by ending death trap extravaganza
Published July 9, 2009 by Fast Forward Weekly reader in Letters
In the over 15 years of actively protesting the Calgary Stampede's rodeo and chuckwagon racing we have come to see the tide change in our favour, running counter to the claims and pronouncements of both the Stampede board, and the local media.
Perhaps the most telling proof of this came a couple years ago when, in response to the Cloverdale Rodeo decision to ban certain events from their rodeo, both myself and a member of the Calgary Stampede were invited to discuss this on BC Talk Radio as it applied to the Calgary spectacle. The Stampede, of course, refused to engage in any dialogue with our side, so it was left to be where I would discuss our position and then the Stampede would give their perspective. During the course of their dialogue it was admitted that every year there are animal deaths that occur at the Stampede - a far cry from their official position... the deaths that do take place are far and few and the result of tragic accidents.
Given that these deaths occur on a regular basis during chuckwagon races, it is clear that these are no longer "accidents," but a regular consequence of such a spectacle and thus completely avoidable, by bringing an end to this death trap extravaganza. Obviously they cannot prevent these deaths from occurring or they would have, so the only way to do so is to stop running these "races" entirely.
As far as the rodeo events go, there are some that have the appearance of being more barbaric, such as the calf roping, but the truth is that every event carries its own level of brutality, along with injuries and death.
At one point, there was much public outcry over the jerk-down of the calves during the roping event, so the Stampede decreed that such an action could result in penalties being assessed, etc. The end result was the censoring of said acts and others, so as to keep the public in the dark over what was going on, save for those in the grandstand. And still animal deaths and injuries continued to occur, unabated.
Interestingly, I wound up being contacted by people within the industry, some of them genuinely interested in trying to clean up their own sport, while others were doing so to inform me about the goings-ons taking place on their rival camps... rodeo people telling me the behind-the-scene stories about chucks and chucks people ratting out the rodeo enclave. And then of course, I had spoken to some people in the ranching community, who expressed their own opposition to the exploitative and abusive ways of the rodeo, citing such actions as being a show of great disrespect towards these beasts that are, admittedly being raised by them for consumption. For many of these ranchers it is a demeaning and callous disregard for these individuals' lives, a rather base lack of sensitivity towards them.
The truth is, no matter if I run down the list of issues we have with each event, be it the doctoring of chuck wagon horse teams with substances that increase their heart rate so as to maximize their speed-at grave risk to heart attacks etc...something that has seen a dramatic increase in recent years, incidentally, to the breaking of limbs and hairline fractures during barrel-racing, or the hyper-extension of bulls' backs as they are sent bucking in pain and fear from having hotshots applied to them at the opening of the chutes, the popularity of this 'sport' has been on the wane for many years now, irrespective of the claims being peddled to the generally unsuspecting public.
We do not stand opposed to an annual party, where the entire city can get into a celebratory mood and let its proverbial hair down, if even for a few of the dog days of summer. We would be more than encouraging of such a party, actively participating in such a morale boost even.
What we cannot do though, and as the increasing numbers of the public would indicate as well, is support an annual event where cruelty towards animals is the norm, where injuries and death are not the accidents they would have us believe, but more an expected-and accepted-form of "collateral damage," a by-product or consequence of exploiting and abusing the lives of these beings, for the sake of some now tarnished lucre. And for that reason we will be out there yet again, peacefully protesting this sham of a spectacle and all the barbarism associated with i
Michael Alvarez-Toye
Calgary Animal Rights Coalition
http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/news-views/letters/why-we-oppose-the-c...
Bell Canada.
I was thinking of switching my cell phone to another company, but now I will speed up the process.
Sorry i don't know how to copy this properly.
http://www.bucktherodeo.com/stampede.html
Horses continue to pay with their lives in this cruel and dangerous event.
Animals pay a high price at Calgary's annual rodeo exhibition. The Calgary Stampede is a 10-day event that takes place every summer in the Canadian province of Alberta. Many horses have suffered catastrophic injuries-often fatal-in this event.
Breakneck Speed = Broken Necks
The deadliest event in the Stampede are the chuck wagon races, in which teams of four horses pull old-fashioned "pioneer" wagons and race around a track at breakneck speed.
In 2008, a horse was euthanized after a collision in the chuckwagon races.
In 2007, three horses died after two wagons collided. One horse died instantly, and two others suffered devastating injuries and were euthanized.
The year before, one horse suffered a heart attack, tripping several other horses when he collapsed. Another horse sustained a broken leg in the turmoil, and both horses were euthanized. Later, a third horse was euthanized after colliding with the wagon of another team on the track. Several of the other horses involved sustained injuries in the collision.
More than 15 horses have died in the past five years. In July 2005, at least nine horses died after being spooked and falling 33 feet off a city bridge into a river. Some animals tumbled down a steep embankment, while others jumped or fell over the guardrail. Some horses died on impact, others drowned, and one had to be euthanized later. Ranch hands had been herding approximately 200 horses on a six-day, 125-mile journey from the Stampede ranch near Hanna, Alberta, to the exhibition site near downtown Calgary.
Cruelty for a Buck
Animals used in the rodeo circuit suffer horribly. The extensive physical trauma and psychological terror experienced by animals used in rodeo and chuck wagon events is obvious. A casual observer of chuck wagon races can see horses foaming at the mouth and see their eyes rolling back in their heads. In calf-roping, the young animals run in terror after being let out of a chute and often sustain neck and back injuries when the rope yanks them violently to the ground. A flank strap is used in the bucking and bull-riding events, tormenting the horses and bulls and causing them to buck wildly in an effort to rid themselves of the constricting band across their genitals. Such cruelty cannot be justified, especially when the sole purpose of the event is to provide "entertainment."
The Humane Society of Canada (HSC) has called for a boycott of the Stampede. "We're looking for a way to end rodeo violence," says Michael O'Sullivan, executive director of the animal welfare group. "The only way to do that is not to buy an admission ticket, not to use your hard-earned money to buy goods and services from ad agencies and corporate sponsors."
You Can Help
Please write a polite letter to these sponsors of the Calgary Stampede and encourage them to disassociate themselves from this deadly event:
Michael J. Sabia, President, CEO, & Director
Bell Canada
1000 rue de la Gauchetiere Ouest, Ste. 3700
Montréal, QC H3B 4Y7
514-870-8777
514-870-4385 (fax)
Elias S. Arturo, President and Managing Director
General Motors of Canada Limited
1908 Colonel Sam Dr.
Oshawa, ON L1H 8P7
Canada
905-644-5000
905-644-4762 (fax)
https://contactus.gm.ca/english/email_us.aspx
David Ginley, Director
Labatt Brewing Co.
4415 Gateway Blvd. N.W.
Edmonton, AB T6H 5C3
Canada
1-800-268-BEER
http://www.labatt.com/english/lbc_contact/lbc_main.htm
Stephen G. Snyder, President and CEO
TransAlta Corporation
110 12th Ave. S.W.
Calgary, AB T2P 2M1
Canada
403-267-7110
403-267-2590 (fax)
http://www.transalta.com (click on "Contact Us")
Gary Holden, President and CEO
Enmax
141 50th Ave. S.E.
Calgary, AB T2G 4S7
Canada
1-866-993-6629
403-219-2165 (fax)
http://www.enmax.com/Corporation/Contact+Us/default.htm
I too would like to see Heywood's opinions of horse racing, considering the monsterous taxpayer subsidies for this rich man's activity in Alberta. I'm sure our resident fiscal conservative is in complete disagreement with the PC government of this province about this collossul waste of taxpayer dollars, right?
Not to mention the subsidies that the Calgary stampede receives.
I would agree if and only if it were to become legal to bet on cagefighters. But until then we need horseracing...
I think Montreal now has ultimate fighting - at least I remember hearing something about it on the news. Cage fighting and ultimate fighting - not to mention barbaric events like the Calgary Stampede - and the crowds they draw - is just another example of the disintegration of civilization (so-called "pro" wrestling is another example of this). We're risking becoming a "yee haw!" society.
Same goes for those outfitter businesses that cater to the big game trophy hunters for their living. It should be banned along with the stampede, which is one of the primary visible posters of the inhumane suffering for human pleasure. Almost got tossed through a bar room window one time, which would have made it the second or third time of the week for that particular opening in the wall, for suggesting the same in a room full of drunken outfitters. Fortunately, Mom was there to calm things down with my brothers. I was always her favorite.
What's with the bar fights? Hardly the venue for a progressive person.
Here's more information fromt the Tyee: http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/Rights-Justice/2009/07/07/HumaneSocietyR...
And a link to an ad that I believe began all this, which was at first rejected:
http://www.vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/stampede.html
No? Try it sometime. Words or statements tend to create it's own venue.
No? Try it sometime. Words or statements tend to create it's own venue.
Not if you can supply a photo of yourself get heaved out through the window.
Not if you can supply a photo of yourself get heaved out through the window.
That's dependent on if the babble get-together gets out of hand!
Sabia hasn't been with Bell for a year now.
He's now the CEO of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.
Not if you can supply a photo of yourself get heaved out through the window.
That's dependent on if the babble get-together gets out of hand!
Does the meeting place come accessorized with moose antlers on the wall? And if so, can you take a pic with all of you there? :)
I do hope Alberta livestock are watching and learning from their Spanish comrades:
Bulls gore 4 runners in Spain
If you go back and read my post it's obvious I was referring to 'bar fights'. Hardly a model of progressive conflict resolution, in my opinion. And, for the record, I've gone to bars in my younger days (I'm 60 in a few months) for a drink or two and to listen to music. I would never dream of getting involved in a fight in a bar - the very notion goes against my pacifist nature.
I'm going back to NL on vacation in a couple of weeks. I'll stop by the local haunts and let you know if anythings changed, besides the window panes.
What's with the bar fights? Hardly the venue for a progressive person.
It can be. Depends who you're fighting and what you're fighting about...
Okayyyyy.... that's it with this thread for me.
Anyway ... back to the topic.
I don't know much about this program, Animal Voices (http://www.animalvoices.ca/stampede) but it seems to be Toronto-based.
The website makes an excellent point about the history of the Calgary Stampede. Even I made the argument that the stampede (if made far more animal-friendly) should be upheld based on the tradition of it, but maybe this isn't so.
The website says:
The Calgary Stampede was the dream of an American entrepreneur, who saw Calgary as the perfect location for his version of Wild Bill Hickok's Wild West Show, complete with Indians and cowboys, animal tricks and an agricultural fair.
Nothing in it was based on historical precedent, either in the activities that engaged animals - the stunt riding, bronco busting, etc. In fact, the Calgary Stampede, in its longevity, created its own history, and the precedent was that of itself. No one on a ranch treated its animals in the fashion that rodeo did, with the roping and wrestling, the riding of bulls and enraged horses. They still don't, as indicated by ranch men I've spoken to over the years of our protesting the Stampede rodeo.
In fact, for all the opposition we may hold towards all animal industries, there are very strong views within the agricultural community opposing rodeos.
Same goes for those outfitter businesses that cater to the big game trophy hunters for their living. It should be banned along with the stampede, which is one of the primary visible posters of the inhumane suffering for human pleasure.
Like the Inuit who make a living off of such things?
Perhaps they could voice their concerns a little louder, eh!
In fact, for all the opposition we may hold towards all animal industries, there are very strong views within the agricultural community opposing rodeos.
As usual, whether it's the war in Afghanistan, or torturing animals in Calgary, it's all about money. The Stampede is big, big business. Have you seen the prices greedy Calgarians charge for accommodation during Stampede week?
And is it true what I've heard about all the BYOB* restaurants that are opening up in Calgary?
(*) Butcher Your Own Bull.
Same goes for those outfitter businesses that cater to the big game trophy hunters for their living. It should be banned along with the stampede, which is one of the primary visible posters of the inhumane suffering for human pleasure.
Like the Inuit who make a living off of such things?
Yes.
isn't this whole debate very predictable based on your experiences? personnally, I grew up in an isolated northern alberta town with a family of farmers, lived in Calgary and went to the Stampede (too many drunk retards and metrosexuals in cowboy hats, no thx!), and have a good friend whose family are ranchers. if i was raised in a city, had never experienced a rodeo/ranch, and had no perception on where my food from safeway originates, and what farmers do for a living - then i might have a different view. that's where jumping to conclusions becomes a problem. have a realistic idea of what you know, and talk about that. rodeos happen every weekend all summer, some people where raised with this lifestyle - and still are, and people that handle animals daily have a better idea of what's good for them than someone that has never set foot outside an urban area except for a photo. it's too bad that your only exposure to rodeos is the overblown media. nature vs nuture, a cow with a weak neck died.
I grew up in an area where subsistence hunting was a way of life for most people. Most either took part in the hunt, or availed themselves of the game when the animal was shared among friends and families. No one that I ever knew who hunted, as I did myself, ever spoke of a fondness or desire to prolong an animals suffering for fun. Rodeos inflict needless fear and suffering upon animals for no other reason but entertainment.
Injured horse put down
In the wake of Friday's chuckwagon incident, the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has called upon the Calgary Stampede to suspend the races.
"The Stampede's claims to have made the race safer have been proven false," VHS spokesperson Peter Fricker said in a statement issued on Saturday.
"It is totally unacceptable to continue this event when horse after horse is dying just to entertain a crowd."
Six horses were killed during the 2010 Stampede.
Second horse killed by Stampeders
This is different from bullfighting... how?
Well, I can think of at least three differences:
1) The outriders don't get to wear the same colourful skin tight pants as the matador does.
2) No one gets to consume the animal afterwards.
3) The object of the exercise is not to kill the horses. Each race doesn't end in death.
Oh, thanks for that. Next time I'll use Google before making such ignorant comparisons.
Ride 'em, cowboy!
ETA: Ok, I've looked it up, and I found another difference!
4. The Stampede hasn't yet been banned.
God, I hate the Stampade. Always have.