BC SPCA CONDEMNS CLOVERDALE RODEO AND URGES BOYCOTT
May 18, 2005. For immediate release. The BC SPCA is strongly urging the public to boycott the Cloverdale Rodeo May 20-23 in light of the potential suffering that rodeo animals may endure in the name of entertainment. The BC SPCA has a long-standing policy condemning rodeo exhibits that inflict mental anxiety and physical torment on participating animals.

"Rodeos, including the Cloverdale event, are promoted as harmless family entertainment, but in reality there is enormous potential for animals to be subjected to injury, stress and even death," says Eileen Drever, Senior Animal Protection Officer for the BC SPCA. Constable Drever notes that a steer had to be euthanized at last year's fair after its neck was broken in the steer wrestling event. " While we can't stop the rodeo from taking place this weekend, our animal cruelty department will definitely pursue formal animal cruelty charges in any situation where animals are abused or injured."

Standard rodeo events include steer wrestling, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, steer roping, and wild cow milking. Sadly, severe injuries and death of animals are not uncommon at rodeos. "We urge the public to be aware of the inherent risk for animal suffering at the rodeo - and to make a conscious choice to boycott the event," Drever says. "Teaching children that cruelty and death inflicted on animals is acceptable in no way meets the SPCA's definition of 'family entertainment'."

Further information:
Eileen Drever, BC SPCA Senior Animal Protection Officer; (604) 834-7854;