All the above photos taken at the Calgary Stampede Rodeo

Definition of “Stampede” - a sudden, frenzied rush or headlong flight of a herd of frightened animals, esp. cattle or horses.

Definition of “Humane” - characterized by tenderness, compassion, and sympathy for people and animals, esp. for the suffering or distressed:

ie: humane treatment of horses and cows.

Definition of “Passive” - not reacting visibly to something that might be expected to produce manifestations of an emotion or feeling.; influenced, acted upon, or affected by some external force, cause, or agency; being the object of action rather than causing action

Definition of “Distress” - (from Alberta's Animal Protection Act) The Act states that an animal is in distress if it is

(a) deprived of adequate shelter, ventilation, space, food, water or veterinary care or reasonable protection from injurious heat or cold ,
(b) injured, sick, in pain or suffering, or
(c) abused and subjected to undue hardship, privation or neglect.

Every year is the same. The so-called animal protection agencies in Alberta say they observe the Calgary Stampede to ensure the animals safety. They watch and they monitor, and that is about it. They hide behind the Animal Protection Act, saying there are no violations or they just don’t think that rodeo is cruel at all. And, year after year, the animals are subjected to the same abuse and undue hardship at the hands of the rodeo contestants. The media calls it sport, part of our heritage, its tradition, they say “that’s how we do it back home on the ranch” and the public accepts these answers. No harm done, after all, the animal protection groups are there watching, so it must be OK. These agencies say they work with those who use the animals to ensure the potential suffering is minimized. (so they do admit there is suffering, they just won’t do anything about it) That may be true, but one must consider the thousands and thousands of animals the contestants practice on where there are NO watchful eyes. How many animals are injured and/or killed “behind the scenes” each year? We will never know, so the animal suffering must be looked at as much bigger picture than what the audience just sees at the rodeo. These agencies need to stand up to their names or change them to monitors instead of protectors.

We would like to thank the Vancouver Humane Society for taking a strong stand against calf roping at the Calgary Stampede (see their advertisement)

Click here for the history of the animals that have died for the sake of entertainment at the Calgary Stampede