VANCOUVER SUN
Latest News

Leanne Dohy
CanWest News Service, with Calgary Herald files

July 5, 2005

CALGARY -- The deaths of nine Calgary Stampede rodeo horses during an Alberta centennial trail ride into the city on Sunday has prompted emotional reaction, with the Humane Society of Canada suggesting a boycott of the Stampede rodeo is the only way to prevent more animal deaths.

"It's like talking about the seal hunt in Newfoundland, or the bullfights in Spain," said Michael O'Sullivan, HSC executive director.

"I'm not opposed to entertainment, but I am opposed to entertainment based on cruelty to animals."

Spooked by a nearby train, the herd of 200 bucking broncs broke into a gallop and some drowned after jumping over a bridge wall and plunging into the Bow River.

Earlier trail rides in 1987 and 2000 followed the same basic route with no problems.

Stampede president Steve Allan said organizers believe they had done everything possible to minimize risks.

Joe Fardell, president and CEO of Tourism Calgary, described the accident as tragic, but didn't think it would harm the city's reputation.

"The Calgary Stampede is an icon," Fardell said. "It's very important to this city ... Rodeo is a sport, and it has risks. People know that."

Although the Stampede doesn't begin until Friday, the number of horses killed on Sunday is just short of the tally for 1986 -- the worst year for Stampede animal deaths -- when a spectacular chuckwagon accident killed 11 horses.

CALL TO ACTION:

Humane Society of Canada's five-point lobby plan to stop the Stampede, prevent animal deaths

- Stop buying admission tickets to the rodeo.

- Boycott advertisers and companies that promote the Stampede.

- Ask the CRTC to enforce standards that prohibit the broadcast of cruelty to animals.

- Offer to work with municipalities that want to pass bylaws banning rodeos.

- Ask insurance companies and their brokers to not provide coverage for rodeo events.