4 horses die, one person injured at Calgary Stampede over 2 days

Calgary - The Calgary Stampede has been under fire from animal rights activists, who have said it is time for the Stampede to come to an end. Four horses have already died this year.

CTV ran a story about the Calgary Animal Rights Meet-up Group earlier this month. The organization launched a campaign against the Calgary Stampede's sponsors, saying

"Every year animals are hurt and killed and scared out of their minds for the sake of entertainment, not to mention the ones that get killed in the practice sessions."

Stampede officials countered the idea the Stampede is cruel to animals, telling CTV that new regulations had been put into place to protect the animals. Rodeo events that specifically bother animal rights activists include calf-roping, steer wrestling and chuckwagon races. Opposition to the Calgary rodeo can be found far and wide, with the Calgary Humane Society and other Humane Societies opposed to the annual rodeo. Recently, activists and politicians from the United Kingdom have added their voices to the opposition to Canadian rodeos. The annual rodeo, a long-standing Canadian tradition that typically sees the Prime Minister attending, got started on July 9th. Already, according to the Canadian Press, four horses are dead and one rider has been injured. Three horses died in separate incidents on Monday, with another horse dying on Sunday during an event. That horse, which suffered a heart attack, collapsed on its rider, who is in the hospital recovering from her injuries. Another horse -- without a rider -- bucked so hard it broke its back and had to be euthanized. The Calgary Stampede has posted its policies concerning animal welfare, stating

"During the annual Calgary Stampede, more than 7,500 animals will participate in exhibition, education and competition events. We take the care of our animals very seriously – and we are always working hard to enhance our practices."

Going on to specify the regulations that are in place to protect animal welfare, the Stampede says it works with animal rights organizations to improve its practices and protect animals. The organization points to a new rule called "no time for dog fall," saying it is a first for North America, and protects cattle during the steer wrestling event. A press release specifies that cowboys must throw steers so that feet and head face the same direction, and failure to do so results in a cowboy losing competition points. The rule is a result of the death of a steer during the competition last year. The Calgary Animal Rights Meet-up Group, which is an informal organization mobilizing citizens to take action, wants to have the calf roping event banned. The Calgary stampede is, according to the organization, a celebration of a Canadian tradition that is hundreds of years old.

"... Western events such as rodeo, chuckwagon racing, and the many agriculture exhibitions and competitions reflect the unique heritage and character of southern Alberta. These events continue to make the Calgary Stampede one of the world’s most famous tourist attractions.

The heritage of western events dates back worldwide to the 1600s and relate to caring for animals on the open range. Roping, riding and herding were all essential activities that evolved into competitions among the working hands on ranches, testing to see whose outfit had the most skilled cowhands and animals.

Animals and ranching have played a significant and ongoing role in the development of Alberta (and western Canada) and for more than 100 years the Calgary Stampede has proudly celebrated that fact. There are hundreds of rodeos across Canada – not just in the four western provinces but in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes."

The Calgary Humane Society (CHS), which opposes the use of animals for entertainment when the animals could face harm, said the best way to protect the animals is to work with the Calgary Stampede to implement positive changes. The CHS attends the rodeo each year in a legal capacity, to enforce the Animal Protection Act. This position has earned the CHS the criticism of the Vancouver Humane Society, which says the CHS is not doing enough to protect animals during the rodeo. The Tyee reported that Stampede officials were upset about the deaths of the horses. While not desirable from any standpoint, animal deaths appear to be a part of any rodeo. Fifty horses have died at the Calgary Stampede since 1986. Last year, one steer and three horses died. The Stampede lasts for 10 days, and has been held annually since 1912.