LA Residents: Help Ban Cruel Rodeo Devices!

The Los Angeles City Council is considering a crucial piece of legislation, Council File 20-1575, that would outlaw the use of vile rodeo devices like electric prods, flank straps, and sharpened spurs. If the measure is enacted, rodeos and charreadas—Mexican-style rodeos—in the city would be banned from using these inhumane tools, which are purposely designed to cause pain. If you’re a Los Angeles resident, your help is urgently needed this Wednesday, December 7.

Please speak in support of a ban on cruel rodeo devices during the public comment portion of LA’s Personnel, Audits & Animal Welfare Committee meeting on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Call 1-669-254-5252, use Meeting ID No. 161 602 6414, and then press #. Press # again when prompted for the participant ID. Once admitted into the meeting, press *9 to request to speak. You’ll have one minute to speak. Please be sure to state your full name and say that you’re an LA resident who supports Council File 20-1575.

Bulls and horses exploited in rodeos and charreadas are often zapped with electric prods to make them charge out of the chute. Flank straps and spurs may be used, too—sometimes with burrs and other irritating materials placed underneath—causing the animals to buck wildly in a desperate attempt to dislodge the tightly cinched straps.

Rodeos and charreadas have continued under the guise of tradition and culture, but that’s no excuse. Many harmful traditions have been relegated to the dustbins of history. Not long ago, women were considered the property of men, but we didn’t hang onto that shameful tradition because “it’s the way we’ve always done it.” And we shouldn’t do that in this case, either.