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Opinion
I am sending this letter on behalf of Animal Place to inform Lake County and Lake County News that we are disappointed to see “mutton busting” take place at this weekend's rodeo.
The rodeo's "mutton busting" event is cruel and dangerous for both children and sheep.
In 2019 Alameda County Board of Supervisors banned “mutton busting” because it is a cruel and unnecessary practice.
This event was even dropped from rodeos across New Zealand at the recommendation from the New Zealand Veterinary Association. They deemed sheep “not built to carry this weight”. In addition to the weight on their backs this is an incredibly stressful and terrifying event and environment for the animals.
We condemn rodeos and the act of “mutton busting.” We encourage Lake County to follow Alameda Counties lead and ban the practice.
Please take these steps to make this world, and your county, a more compassionate world for animals and people.
Kelcie Leach is program director for the Animal Place in Grass Valley, California.
The rodeo's "mutton busting" event is cruel and dangerous for both children and sheep.
In 2019 Alameda County Board of Supervisors banned “mutton busting” because it is a cruel and unnecessary practice.
This event was even dropped from rodeos across New Zealand at the recommendation from the New Zealand Veterinary Association. They deemed sheep “not built to carry this weight”. In addition to the weight on their backs this is an incredibly stressful and terrifying event and environment for the animals.
We condemn rodeos and the act of “mutton busting.” We encourage Lake County to follow Alameda Counties lead and ban the practice.
Please take these steps to make this world, and your county, a more compassionate world for animals and people.
Kelcie Leach is program director for the Animal Place in Grass Valley, California.
- Details
- Written by: Kelcie Leach
To the Editor:
Re: "Lake County Rodeo in search of the cutest cowpokes, mutton busters":
Organizers of the Lake County Rodeo should take a hard look at what they are teaching children.
Kind people believe that animals should be treated with respect and compassion, not abused like cheap toys.
Forcing sheep to carry screaming children all over a rodeo arena in “mutton bustin’” events is cruel.
Sheep are personable animals who are emotionally complex and highly intelligent. Intentionally or not, overly excited kids can be rough.
Sheep may be kicked, or have their tails and ears pulled. Children who participate come away with the belief that animals can be harassed for “fun” no matter how frightening it may be for the animal.
This gratuitous spectacle should be put out to pasture.
Jennifer O'Connor is a senior writer for the PETA Foundation, based in Norfolk, Virginia.
Re: "Lake County Rodeo in search of the cutest cowpokes, mutton busters":
Organizers of the Lake County Rodeo should take a hard look at what they are teaching children.
Kind people believe that animals should be treated with respect and compassion, not abused like cheap toys.
Forcing sheep to carry screaming children all over a rodeo arena in “mutton bustin’” events is cruel.
Sheep are personable animals who are emotionally complex and highly intelligent. Intentionally or not, overly excited kids can be rough.
Sheep may be kicked, or have their tails and ears pulled. Children who participate come away with the belief that animals can be harassed for “fun” no matter how frightening it may be for the animal.
This gratuitous spectacle should be put out to pasture.
Jennifer O'Connor is a senior writer for the PETA Foundation, based in Norfolk, Virginia.
- Details
- Written by: Jennifer O'Connor
The rodeo's "mutton busting" event is cruel and dangerous for children and sheep alike.
This nonsensical event was dropped from the rodeo program throughout New Zealand years ago, at the recommendation of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, which deemed the sheep "not built to carry the weight."
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors banned "mutton busting" back in 2019 for these same reasons. Other jurisdictions should follow suit.
There's also a serious health risk. Every rodeo arena is infected with E. coli. Back in 2010 a three-year-old little boy in Texas, one "Bubba" Kirby (see Google), fell off his sheep and got a mouthful of arena dirt. He went into a two-week coma, swelled up twice his normal size, and suffered heart, lung and kidney failure, nearly dying in the process. Parents beware!
Every animal welfare organization in North America condemns rodeo due to its inherent cruelty. Rodeo is mostly macho hype, having nothing to do with life on a working ranch.
The United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales), The Netherlands and Germany have all outlawed rodeos. Can the U.S. be far behind?
Lest we forget, this godawful pandemic was HUMAN-caused, a direct result of our gross mistreatment of animals, both wild and domestic.
Boycott all rodeos, their corporate sponsors and advertisers. Follow the money.
Eric Mills is coordinator for Action for Animals, based in Oakland, California.
This nonsensical event was dropped from the rodeo program throughout New Zealand years ago, at the recommendation of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, which deemed the sheep "not built to carry the weight."
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors banned "mutton busting" back in 2019 for these same reasons. Other jurisdictions should follow suit.
There's also a serious health risk. Every rodeo arena is infected with E. coli. Back in 2010 a three-year-old little boy in Texas, one "Bubba" Kirby (see Google), fell off his sheep and got a mouthful of arena dirt. He went into a two-week coma, swelled up twice his normal size, and suffered heart, lung and kidney failure, nearly dying in the process. Parents beware!
Every animal welfare organization in North America condemns rodeo due to its inherent cruelty. Rodeo is mostly macho hype, having nothing to do with life on a working ranch.
The United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales), The Netherlands and Germany have all outlawed rodeos. Can the U.S. be far behind?
Lest we forget, this godawful pandemic was HUMAN-caused, a direct result of our gross mistreatment of animals, both wild and domestic.
Boycott all rodeos, their corporate sponsors and advertisers. Follow the money.
Eric Mills is coordinator for Action for Animals, based in Oakland, California.
- Details
- Written by: Eric Mills
Dear Editor,
June is Gun Violence Awareness Month, a chance to remember the lives lost to gun violence and the families and communities impacted by these tragedies.
It is also a reminder that gun violence continues to be an alarming threat to the health and safety of our communities.
As the chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, I have been working with my colleagues to ensure Congress is taking the necessary steps to combat this epidemic.
My bipartisan bill, H.R. 8, which passed the House on March 11, 2021, aims to expand background checks to prevent firearms from getting into the hands of those who may be a danger to themselves or others.
Experts agree that expanding background checks is the fastest and most effective way to help prevent gun violence. It is long overdue for the Senate to act.
I was proud to hear that Senate Majority Leader Schumer has committed to holding a vote on H.R. 8.
It is time for the Senate to pass H.R. 8 and send this important bill to the president’s desk.
Our work is not finished, we must protect our communities from gun violence.
Congressman Mike Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
June is Gun Violence Awareness Month, a chance to remember the lives lost to gun violence and the families and communities impacted by these tragedies.
It is also a reminder that gun violence continues to be an alarming threat to the health and safety of our communities.
As the chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, I have been working with my colleagues to ensure Congress is taking the necessary steps to combat this epidemic.
My bipartisan bill, H.R. 8, which passed the House on March 11, 2021, aims to expand background checks to prevent firearms from getting into the hands of those who may be a danger to themselves or others.
Experts agree that expanding background checks is the fastest and most effective way to help prevent gun violence. It is long overdue for the Senate to act.
I was proud to hear that Senate Majority Leader Schumer has committed to holding a vote on H.R. 8.
It is time for the Senate to pass H.R. 8 and send this important bill to the president’s desk.
Our work is not finished, we must protect our communities from gun violence.
Congressman Mike Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
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- Written by: Congressman Mike Thompson