A video that the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) said shows B次元官网网址渟tressed and frightened animals being roughly handledB次元官网网址� at rodeos in Langley and Chilliwack drew criticism from organizers of the events, who said the footage showed eagerness, not fear, on the part of the animals seen in the clips, released on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

A VHS press release pointed to clips showing animals B次元官网网址渢hrashing aroundB次元官网网址� in the chutes prior to being released into the rodeo arena, and of B次元官网网址渉andlers pulling on the ears and tails of a number of animals.B次元官网网址�

Society spokesperson Emily Pickett said the footage contradicts claims by rodeo supporters that the animals love to perform.

B次元官网网址淭his footage, once again, proves otherwise,B次元官网网址� Pickett commented. B次元官网网址淚f the animals love to perform, why is it necessary to twist their ears, drag them by their tails, and fasten uncomfortable straps around their sensitive underbelly to make them do so?B次元官网网址�

Pickett added the events B次元官网网址減ut animals at risk of injury and death, all for the sake of public entertainment.B次元官网网址�

Organizers of the Langley and Chilliwack rodeos said it was stretching things to say animals were being harmed, or frightened.

Held in early September, the Valley West Stampede was hosted at the Langley Riders Association (LRA) grounds in Brookswood.

LRA president Paul Ritchot said no animals or people were injured during the three-day event.

B次元官网网址淭hey are not being harmed in any way,B次元官网网址� Ritchot told the Langley Advance Times.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 like any sport. We treat the animals as athletes. TheyB次元官网网址檙e extremely well looked after.B次元官网网址�

LRA treasurer John Scotton said a longer version of a VHS clip showing a bull falling to its knees, would show the animal got dizzy after B次元官网网址渟pinning around and aroundB次元官网网址� to shake its rider off.

READ ALSO:

Valley West Stampede board member Shannon Claypool said they invited the B.C. SPCA to visit the Langley event, but their contact person with the animal protection agency contact declined, saying they wouldnB次元官网网址檛 attend unless there was a complaint.

Claypool said no animals or humans were injured at the Langley event.

B次元官网网址淲e had a veterinarian on site during all rodeo performances B次元官网网址� and an ambulance [for the cowboys].B次元官网网址�

Chilliwack Rodeo Association president Len Blackstock said seeing a horse or bull trying to climb out of a chute doesnB次元官网网址檛 mean they are frightened, it means they are impatient.

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e bred to do that, theyB次元官网网址檙e anticipating [getting in the arena],B次元官网网址� Blackstock commented.

Blackstock said the animals are B次元官网网址渨ell-looked-after, theyB次元官网网址檙e well-fed.B次元官网网址�

As for injuries at the Chilliwack rodeo held over three days in August, B次元官网网址渨e had a couple bumps and bruises on the guys, but no animals were injuredB次元官网网址� he said.

READ ALSO:

The VHS has been calling on organizers for both rodeos and local city councils to remove what they term inhumane rodeo events, including roping, bucking, wrestling and mutton busting, from event programs.