Los Angeles City Attorney to Write Ordinance Proposed Ordinance Sets Dangerous Precedent which could have a national impact
Late Tuesday morning February 23rd, a member of the Los Angeles City Council asked the City Attorney to write an ordinance effectively banning rodeo and other animal exhibitions. If they succeed, this will only serve as the beginning of the end of so much rich history that has been celebrated safely in Los Angeles and the State of California for decades.
Here is the language of the Los Angeles City Council Motion requesting an ordinance be drafted effectively banning rodeo and rodeo like events in the city. It was signed by Los Angeles City Council member Bob Blumenfield and Seconded by Mitch O’Farrell:
“The City of Los Angeles has a history of acting in the best interest of animal welfare. The City took a leadership role in banning the use of bull hooks in the handling of elephants at traveling circuses or exhibitions, and the sale of fur products. Action to address inhumane treatment of animals at rodeos and rodeo-like events is long overdue. Numerous American cities have rodeo prohibitions or restrictions in place, including Pasadena, Irvine, and Napa County in California; Fort Wayne, Indiana; St Petersburg, Florida; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Southampton, New York; and others. In 1992, Pittsburgh passed an ordinance that prohibited any rodeo or rodeo related event in which animals are induced or encouraged to perform through the use of any practice or technique, or any mechanical, electrical, or manual device that will cause, or is likely to cause physical injury, torment or suffering.
Rodeos often use a number of inhumane implements, including electric prods, flank straps, and spurs to encourage aggressive behavior in animals to produce an entertainment product. Animals suffer significant injuries during common rodeo events such as bull and bronco riding, steer wrestling, and calf roping. Many animals are putdown as a result of injuries sustained during these events. There are a number of rodeo events in the County and City of Los Angeles that utilize inhumane methods or instruments during their events. It is time for our City to act in the interest of animal welfare on this issue as it has in the past for other issues.
I THEREFORE MOVE that the City Attorney be requested to prepare and present an ordinance that would prohibit electric prods or shocking devices, flank or bucking straps, wire tiedowns, and sharpened or fixed spurs or rowels at all rodeo or rodeo related events in the City of Los Angeles, modeled after the City of Pittsburgh’s 1992 ordinance banning the aforementioned implements.”
The Motion Is Full of Animal Extremist Propaganda
The truth is rodeo animals are some of the best cared for animals in the world. The groups pushing these ordinances like HSUS, PETA, Last Chance for Animals, and SHARK are spending their donor dollars enriching their staff and pushing their ideology that the use of animals is akin to slavery and therefore abuse.
Rodeo Animals are Very Valuable and Well Cared For
Rodeo companies are family owned and operated and realize no incentive from allowing their livestock animals to be injured, killed or treated in an inhumane way. Rodeo competitors are fined heavily if there’s any chance they’ve treated an animal in an inhumane way. These sanctions include disqualification from the rodeo. It is important to note that rodeo athletes – professional and amateur alike – are under no guaranteed financial contract like other professional athletes. They pay to enter each event and their winnings are their only paycheck.
Alarming Language Will Impact All Animal Exhibitions and Shows
The key points of this Motion and request to the Los Angeles City Attorney lie within the subtleties of the language used and the request to follow the Pittsburgh ordinance. Specifically the ordinance reads, “any (sic) event in which animals are induced or encouraged to perform through the use of any practice or technique;”. This language is extremely alarming and everyone who owns and competes with animals should take notice.
Should this legislation move forward, say goodbye to dog shows where our well-trained canine companions happily perform alongside their handlers. These animals undoubtedly get the best care and treatment imaginable while learning tricks and behavior to showcase their impeccable stature. Horse shows, including reined cow horse, barrel races, hunter jumper and dressage shows would fall under this language as well. Livestock shows and 4-H and FFA exhibitions would also be included. Training is exactly what the Pittsburgh ordinance was attacking when they used the words, “practice or technique.”
Animal Extremists Are Asking for An Outright Ban of Rodeo and Rodeo-Related Events
The news headlines about this ordinance are mentioning training tools, but the overall goal is to eliminate rodeo and rodeo-like events and exhibitions. There’s an online petition started by animal extremists circulating with over 22,000 signatures and growing attempting to ban ‘rodeo and rodeo-like events,’ outright. They start by sensationalizing unfamiliar practices, getting them banned, then using the ban inroads to expand animal extremism. They confuse and mislead the public by claiming it is an animal welfare issue. Never forget that the ultimate goal of groups like HSUS, PETA, and DxE is to end ownership of animals and consumption of animal protein as a whole. Their end goal doesn’t benefit humanity or the animals they pretend to protect.
The Value of Citing and Setting A Precedent
Notice from the language in the Los Angeles City Council Motion the mention of rodeo equipment ban ordinances in other cities and states. It specifically lists: “Numerous American cities have rodeo prohibitions or restrictions in place, including Pasadena, Irvine, and Napa County in California; Fort Wayne, Indiana; St Petersburg, Florida; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Southampton, New York; and others.” The motion to create a new ordinance is using the precedent set by other cities and states to legitimize their request. This is a tactic regularly employed in creating legislation. It is often said that what happens in California is followed by other states, and this is indeed a fact.
California’s massive urban voter base makes decisions as an inexperienced population who are swayed by “sad puppy eyed commercials” which affect animal agriculture and animal welfare policies. The City of Los Angeles motion indicates they fully intend to use the ill-informed “moral high ground” the city of Pittsburgh stood on and encouraged similar cities, which followed soon after.
If You Are Concerned – Take Action
In the event this ordinance is passed, it will mark another victory for animal extremist groups like HSUS and PETA. They are committed to continue until animals have more rights than humans. “Setting Precedent” is their super power. We encourage those of you who have concerns about this proposed ordinance and its far-reaching consequences to take action. It does not matter if you live in Los Angeles, or even in California. A petition was created by our friends at Western Justice on Change.org titled Save Rodeo in LA. Also, contact Los Angeles city council members and let them know your opinion.
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Barberic and Archaic sport! Shut it down!
I’ve been a fan and Supporter of Rodeos as far back as I can remember.
Rodeos are what keeps the old west alive.. its shows how and what they do and used to do on the range and on ranches,These animals are worth so much money wht would they want to hurt these animals ? Ive watched so many PBR bull riding events and seen how these bulls are treated and watched what happens when the die the owners are so saddened its like losing a big part of the family.. Rodeos keep history alive.. my dad is a cowboy hes 90 yrs old now but hes a true American hero to me..he watches rodeos everyday and its a big part of his life.. the animals are not harmed and they dont shock the livestock someone needs to do some research on how the animals are treated i for one will vote to keep our history and our rodeos alive !!!! God Bless !
Thanks for your comments Teri!
Terrorizing and hurting animals for human enjoyment and tradition? Shameful.
Rodeo animals are treated very well, contracters pay a lot of money for good bucking horses and bulls. Horses are bred to buck same as bulls. These animals are well cared for and most love there jobs.
I was saddened to know that a few activists are trying to block the rodeo in the Los Angeles territory. Please do not allow this injustice to occur. There are many many people in the Los Angeles area who would love to see the rodeo.