May 28,2004

SPCA
322 - 470 Granville
Vancouver, B.C.
V6C 1W9

On Saturday May 22nd, 2004, my family including a 10 year child attended the Cloverdale Rodeo. It was the first Rodeo that they had ever attended and look forward to an entertaining afternoon. It was far from an entertaining afternoon. Where was the SPCA? What sanctions or rules did you impose on this Rodeo? Here is a list of things that happened that caused my daughter to run and throw up, my granddaughter to become so alarmed as to never want to see anything like that again and the rest of the family in disbelief that something like this could be allowed a license to operate. the Rodeo advertises itself as "family" entertainment and "animal" welfare a priority.

There was a white Bronco horse that escaped and ran amuck throughout the grounds including jumping a fence and landing on a fence, attempting to get up into the grandstand seats and finally have learned it was put down due to injuries. All the time announcers broadcasting that no one should be alarmed. a cowboy was thrown watermelon style head first into the boards and was unconscious only to be dragged off the ring, an ambulance was in attendance. At the beginning of this event a girl on horseback fell off her horse heavy saddle and all. That was the introduction to this mayhem. A cowboy leaped off his horse and wrestled a small calf to the ground, breaking its neck. It lay quivering on the dirt and if that was not enough at half time little children came out to deliver still more entertainment. They had pain type guns and carried animals in their arms. They then proceeded to shoot each other throwing the animals they held in their arms up in the air. Different species went different ways, a rabbit ran off and so on however the dog did not get up he had to be carried off the grounds. THIS IS ENTERTAINMENT? Whose warped mind thought that on up? My granddaughter although only 10 1/2 rides horses, has several pets and works part time in the summer in a Veterinary Hospital. She knows what cruelty does to animals and she knows how to treat them with the care they deserve.

Where was the SPCA and why are you not outraged at this abuse and carelessness? One I guess has to feel somewhat lucky that no one else got injured. When are you going to prevent animal abuse...when? When are you going to enforce laws on these Rodeos? Somebody should be held accountable and ha heavy fine it nothing else should be levied. We all would be interested in your thoughts on this disturbing event held in Cloverdale B.C.

Yours truly
The Seward and Butler family

North Vancouver, B.C.