California Rodeo Salinas Bans Cameras to Prevent Documentation of Animal Cruelty and Death

[Still image from Shame on Salinas TV ad at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2015/07/16/18775011.php#18775035.]


California's Largest Rodeo Under Fire: Accused of Hiding Animal Cruelty, Rodeo Bans Cameras; Commercials Slamming Rodeo Continue to Air on CNN, FoxNews, MSNBC

SALINAS, CA – Watchdog groups report that the California Salinas Rodeo — under fire for hiding and under-reporting animal injuries — is now enforcing a ban on cameras in an apparent attempt to stop people from recording animal deaths and cruelty at the rodeo, which began Thursday here.

Meanwhile, the state's largest rodeo is the target of a series of graphic television commercials — the biggest TV campaign ever used to dissuade consumers from attending a rodeo — that began airing this week on CNN, FoxNews and MSNBC asking people to not attend the rodeo because of rampant and deadly, and most often unreported, animal cruelty.

Observers are also reporting the rodeo is now overusing water trucks in the arena, which may be in violation of new laws regarding water use during the state's most severe drought in history.

"By preventing the use of cameras to accurately record rampant animal cruelty, Salinas Rodeo officials are trying to hide the truth of their complicity in the death and injuries to animals," said Steve Hindi, president of SHARK (SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness), which provides documented video of rodeo atrocities.

Last Chance for Animals (LCA), an international animal protection group based in Los Angeles, purchased airtime on CNN, FoxNews, MSNBC and other networks reaching Comcast Cable, Direct TV and AT&T households throughout the entire San Francisco Bay Area, including Salinas and Monterey.

Spots can be viewed at: www.indybay.org/newsitems/2015/07/16/18775011.php. In one advertising spot, a steer can be seen being run over, breaking its neck and killing it. Another spot shows a horse killed after being ridden. Other spots airing show animals being injured — the ads calls rodeos "un-American."

SHARK has documented injuries to more than 40 animals at the Salinas rodeo over the past two years — including some that led to deaths — but the rodeo has only reported four of those in an attempt to hide the danger and cruelty to animals at the rodeo. More details can be found at ShameonSalinas.com.

"We are sponsoring this advertising campaign to inform the public that rodeos, in this case, the California Rodeo Salinas, should not be attended because of the horrific abuse and torture inflicted on animals. The use of captive animals, whether in rodeos, zoos or aquariums, for so-called entertainment, must come to an end. We are doing all we can to end this barbaric practice," said Chris DeRose, president of LCA.

"Forget the myth that rodeos are the all-American sport. (They) are cruel and deadly for animals. Anyone with a heart knows it's wrong to clothesline a baby animal, body slam it to the ground, tie its legs so it can’t move, and drag it by the neck. If this were done to a puppy or kitten, the offender would be charged with a crime. In rodeos, however, it's called calf roping, and supporters claim it’s a sport," said Hindi.

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