Concerned about cruelty, animal rights group wants police at bull-riding event
CBC
An animal rights group is calling for a bull-riding event coming to Budweiser Gardens on Saturday to be monitored by police to ensure it complies with Ontario's animal cruelty laws.
On Saturday, some of the world's top bull riders will compete at the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) event, part of the sport's Elite Cup Series.
Riders will try to stay on board bulls that weigh up to 2,000 pounds as they spin and buck in an attempt to throw them off like rag dolls. Riders score points by staying on the animal for as long as they can, up to eight seconds. The more the bull spins and thrashes, the higher the score a rider can achieve.
For spectators and riders, bull-riding follows a long North American rodeo tradition. It's an exciting competition of man versus beast. It's also big business with six-figure prize pools and big-name sponsors.
However, the group Animal Justice says it's a cruel competition that comes at the expense of animals and unlike the riders, the bulls can't consent to being in the ring.
"This event is premised on causing an animal distress," said Alexandra Pester, a lawyer with Animal Justice. "Bucking is a behaviour that is caused by the activity that they're subjected to having someone on their back that they're trying to get off."
In particular, Pester said the use of flank straps, also known as bucking straps, which prompt the bull to buck and kick is a particular problem. It's a rope placed around the bull's flank to intentionally agitate the animal, which she believes puts bull riding in violation of Ontario's Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act. That legislation, which you can read here, prohibits knowingly causing an animal distress or putting an animal into a position where they're at risk of "an undue risk of distress."
"We believe this event should not be permitted to go ahead," said Pester. "And given our concerns if it does go ahead, we believe law enforcement needs to be at this event and monitor it."
Animal Justice reached out to London Police about the event and were told that Ontario's Solicitor General's office is developing an "action plan" for Saturday's PBR event.
In a statement sent in response to questions from CBC News, a spokesperson for the Ministry of the Solicitor General said they've "proactively engaged" organizers of Saturday's bull-riding event "to ensure they fully understand their responsibilities to report any animal welfare violations."
PBR general manager Jason Davidson was travelling Thursday and unable to speak with CBC News. However, he did agree to be interviewed about the issue on Friday's edition of London Morning. His comments will be added to this story on Friday.
London police would not confirm they plan to monitor Saturday's event, something Pester said she'd like to see.
Meanwhile, not everyone sees bull-riding as a one-sided competition in which bulls are subjected to cruelty and torment.
Samantha Gibson, 27, is a competitive bull rider who lives near Guelph.
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