Hundreds attend Valley West Stampede in Langley, including activists | 24CA News
Hundreds of spectators turned out for Langley, B.C.,’s solely professional rodeo, the second annual Valley West Stampede, on Saturday.
The three-day rodeo has doubled its capability and options reside music and meals and alcohol distributors on prime of the same old rodeo occasions. Organizers stated the turnout this 12 months has been nice.
“(We) sold lots of tickets online. I don’t have exact numbers, but going up regularly every day, especially this (past) week. We’re getting lots of community support (through) huge word of mouth,” stated Rich Kitos chairman of Valley West Stampede.
The large rodeo occasions, bull driving and bronco driving, garner probably the most consideration — and from not simply attendees, but in addition a small group of activists who parked out entrance.
“We’re here to express our opposition to using animals for entertainment,” stated Paul Fader, an animal activist.
“We think it’s morally unjustifiable to use animals in this way.”
The rodeo’s president, Sheila Hicks, stated the occasion will not be dangerous to the animals.
“The athletes, the horses and the bulls here are specifically bred for this, and their success is our success,” she instructed Global News.
“We want everyone happy and healthy. That’s how we make this rodeo life evolve and how we keep our traditions and values alive.”
However, Fader stated the animals’ actions say in any other case.
“They attach a device to the waist of the animal that applies pressure to the soft underbelly of the animal which causes fear and discomfort,” Fader instructed Global News exterior the rodeo.
“That’s why they’re bucking in the first place — they want them to get off of them.”
The animal activists should not alone as a analysis firm ballot exhibits {that a} majority of Canadians don’t help animals getting used for leisure like zoos and rodeos.
The ballot, carried out by Research Co., confirmed simply over two-thirds of Canadians are towards using animals in rodeos.
“Since 2019, the proportion of Canadians who approve of the use of animals in rodeos has fallen by 10 points,” stated Mario Canseco, Research Co.’s president.
“Majorities of women (73 per cent) and men (59 per cent) are currently opposed to this type of entertainment.”
The Valley West Stampede has moved away from all roping occasions and solely has driving occasions.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
