Letter
Published: Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Re: Rodeo is a safe and sunny sellout, The Daily Special, May 23

Last week I read about the debate between the pros and cons of the Cloverdale Rodeo. I didn't think much about it and decided to take my son for the first time. On the way in we passed some protesters, but we ignored their signs.

We sat through the different events. During one of them, we saw a calf being dragged across the dirt, with three legs tied. It was trying to stand and everyone in the crowd was cheering and screaming. I am no bleeding heart, but I felt bad for the poor thing and then my son looked at me in confusion and asked, "Why are they doing that?" I had no answer.

For the rest of the rodeo, we didn't feel particularly entertained.

On the way home, my son said he didn't like the rodeo and asked if next time we could just go to the movies instead. I agreed.

Trish Holden