Cloverdale Rodeo cancels calf-roping events after death of animal

Tuesday, May 22 - 11:30:00 AM Jim Goddard

CLOVERDALE (NEWS1130) - The Cloverdale Rodeo Association has cancelled four events at next year's event, following the deaths of 2 animals over the past 3 years. That includes the death of a calf this past weekend. The rodeo will no longer hold 4 events where cattle are roped, tied down, or wrestled to the ground.

Laura Ballance with the Cloverdale Rodeo says they've done this on their own, and not because of pressure from animal-right's activists. "We made the decision based on what we felt would reflect our values, and the direction we wanted to take the rodeo in, not based on individual opinions."

Ballance says it's also because the Canadian Pro Rodeo association refused to make rule changes to make it safer for animals. With the cancellation of the 4 events, more prize money will be available for the remaining competitions, including the three 'bucking' events, and barrel racing, which Ballance calls the most popular with rodeo fans.