History repeats itself as the Calgary Stampede once again came under heavy criticism after four rodeo animals were euthanized due to injuries sustained during the event, including the tragic death of a young calf whose neck was broken by a participant.
In all, three horses and one young calf were euthanized during the event, which ran from July 5 to 14.
BREAKING: A young cow was KILLED last night at the Calgary Stampede after a competitor snapped the animal’s neck with his bare hands. Additionally, 2 horses died during this year’s chuckwagon races. Take action➡️ https://t.co/HdBK82LbG6 pic.twitter.com/AOcclZs99s
— Animal Justice (@AnimalJustice) July 9, 2024
Firstly, two horses were injured, one during a race and the other during a cart competition. Although they received immediate medical attention, subsequent examination revealed the severity of their injuries, leading to their euthanasia.
Videos have circulated showing the most horrific incident occurring at a steer wrestling competition, where a participant broke a calf’s neck by tackling it to the ground. The animal, which had to suffer terribly for several minutes in front of the crowd in the stands, was finally euthanized by the vet.
Another horse was also euthanized on the eve of the event’s closure during another carriage pulling competition. Many critics consider these events to be relics of the past that should be abandoned in today’s world.
For several years, animal protection groups such as Animal Justice, PETA and the Vancouver Humane Society have been lodging animal cruelty complaints and seeking to put an end to such events, despite Calgary Stampede’s reassuring claims of improved safety for participating animals.
The evidence seems clear, however.
