It's also very gruesome to see in person as the steers legs break or their tails are de-gloved. The story has made 31 and maybe 7 - just trying to get more word out and gain more support real quick. Trying to stop the upcoming event in this Sundays rodeo.
American Humane Opposes Tail-Grabbing Rodeo To Be Held In Jefferson County, Colo. Seeking legal means to stop inhumane event
Denver, CO (August 5, 2010)
Colorado-based American Humane Association, the nation’s voice for the protection of children and animals, said today that it is aggressively pursuing legal action to halt a scheduled rodeo event on Sunday, Aug. 8 in Jefferson County, in which bulls are cruelly and painfully brought to the ground by grabbing their tails. A similar “Coleadero” rodeo event held in July resulted in the death of two animals with 11 others suffering from broken bones and other injuries, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
“This is not an indictment of rodeos, but a plea to stop a cruel event that inflicts enormous pain and suffering on the animal,” said American Humane vice president of Animal Protection, Dori Villalon. “We urge officials, residents of Jefferson County and people of Colorado who respect all animals to stand up to this barbaric notion of entertainment. We must say no. We can stop this and similar future events.”
According to news reports, Jefferson County officials and law enforcement agencies have tried unsuccessfully to have the event canceled for violating animal cruelty statutes. While organizers have already been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty counts, state law is both vague and ambiguous enough to not specifically prohibit the so-called “tail spinning” event from being held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
The American Humane Association has engaged counsel to pursue a legal injunction that would halt the event, and in the meantime is joining with virtually every other animal welfare organization in Colorado to urge Jefferson County to take all measures necessary to stop it.
I just received an email from the American Humane with a link that I have copied and pasted here (I hope this works), that takes you to their website so you can sign a petition to stop this event - it goes to Colorado representatives and the Jefferson County Commissioners.