Professional Bull Riders (PBR) was really concerned when they read a recent letter to the editor, written by Kathleen Kinsolving, published on the Fairfax Times’ website on Sept. 14 and in the newspaper on Sept. 21. The letter stated that "rodeo events are inherently cruel" and called for a boycott of the event.
This is the letter:
“Dear Editor:
It was extremely disheartening to see your reputable newspaper promoting the Professional Bull Riders' rodeo that will be taking place at George Mason University later this month ["Unleash the Beast," B-1, A&E].
According to Dr. Peggy Larson of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA), "rodeo events are inherently cruel."
Dr. Larson asserts that in bull-riding rodeos, "cattle prods are often used repeatedly to shock the bulls as they stand trapped in the bucking chute. Bucking straps and spurs can cause the bull to buck beyond his normal capacity and his legs or back may thus be broken."
She further states that "Based on my extensive training and experience, it is impossible to create a humane rodeo."
I encourage your readers to boycott this event, and I certainly hope that Fairfax County Times never promotes something like this again.
Kathleen Kinsolving”
Over the phone, Fairfax Times asked Justin Cornwell, promoter and stock contractor with PBR:
What is your response to this statement in the letter: “Dr. Larson asserts that in bull-riding rodeos, ‘cattle prods are often used repeatedly to shock the bulls as they stand trapped in the bucking chute. Bucking straps and spurs can cause the bull to buck beyond his normal capacity and his legs or back may thus be broken.’”
CORNWELL: That’s definitely not true. These animals are bred genetically to be bucking bulls, and you can’t just buy any bull and train them or make them or agitate them to buck. There have been years and years of genetic breeding to get them to this point … There are absolutely no hot shots or electric pods allowed at any of the PBR events. If I would have one with me, not even using it, I would never be allowed to come back to a PBR event … We do put a flank strap on them; others think that this affects their testicl*s and that is not true either. It almost goes where your belt would go around your waist and we don’t pull it tight. It does help keep the animal kicking straight out, so they don’t kick off to the side.
The welfare and the safety of the bull riders and the animals are just as important to us and the PBR.
How do you assure that?
CORNWELL: There is a veterinarian at every event ... Also, we have a livestock director who maintains the animal’s welfare. You know, beyond just the financial end of what these bulls cost, they become, in a sense, almost pets to us. They all have their own personalities and we enjoy caring for them and feeding them. We have vets at home that take care of them and vaccinate them to make sure they stay healthy. On the trailers, we keep them as comfortable as we can. We space them out in the trailers, so they have plenty of room. Most of my bulls when I am travelling; like I came here from Ohio and will be coming from Ohio next week; it’s like a 10-hour drive … we have lots of bedding in there, lots of space so those bulls can, actually, lay down if they want to. It’s important to me that they are as comfortable as they can be, so they feel the best and perform the best.
