Jessica Chasmar; Washington Times; February 01, 2017
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is calling for a boycott against rodeos after two horses died during competitions this month in Fort Worth, Texas.
The horse, 9-year-old Treasure of Patience, died Sunday night at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo after running into a wall and suffering a spinal cord injury, a local ABC News affiliate reported.
A video of the incident captured by Bruce Weidner, of Benbrook, has racked up more than 74,000 views.
“I want everybody to relax,” the announcer is heard telling the crowd as the horse is being tended to. “The first, best medicine is prayer.”
It came just days after another horse died of a similar injury during a saddle bronc event at the same rodeo on Jan. 16, Stock Show spokesman Matt Brockman told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
“It’s extremely rare,” Mr. Brockman said. “This is just one of those odd situations we find ourselves in.”
PETA said the events are outdated and harmful to animals.
“Treasure of Patience is just the latest in a long line of cruel, unnecessary, and preventable deaths,” the group said in a statement, ABC reported. “During rodeos, spurs and flank (or ‘bucking’) straps are used to irritate normally docile horses and bulls and provoke them into displaying ‘wild’ behavior. As a result, countless animals have sustained horrific injuries, including broken ribs, backs, and legs; punctured lungs; bruising on internal organs; hemorrhages; ripped tendons; torn ligaments and muscles; and snapped necks.
“It’s 2017 — a time when animal circuses are shutting down and SeaWorld is on the skids,” the statement continued. “Rodeos are way out of step with public opinion, and it’s time for them to be relegated to the pages of history books. PETA encourages everyone to stay away from rodeos and to support legislation that protects animals from this abuse.”
Mr. Brockman said the stock show follows nationally accepted guidelines for the treatment of animals and injuries are kept to a minimum.
“We adhere to more than 70 different rules that deal with animal welfare and animal care and handling. We take those rules very seriously,” he told a local CBS News affiliate. “We maintain a veterinarian on staff 24/7 through the 23-day run of our show. So … animal welfare is something very important to us.”
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