11/15/07 PETA and Rodeo

Like a burr under a saddle blanket animal rights activists are constantly attempting to undermine the work of ranchers&. and cowboys. I'm Jeff Keane and I'll be back in a minute with some insights into how groups like PETA are just plain ignorant when it comes to their claims about the abuse of rodeo stock. Now I would wager that in most cases rodeo stock; the bucking horses, bulls and steers are treated better than many back yard dogs. No one regulates how these dogs are treated until the treatment in certain cases becomes so bad that the dog is in jeopardy of never fully recovering. Only then does an agency step in and try to help the situation or rescue the animals, but the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) has more than 60 rules dealing with the treatment of stock and stiff monetary penalties for those who don't abide by them. Animals are inspected to insure no sore, lame, or sick animals are used. Stock contractors rely on these animals for a successful business and respect them; they're not going to hurt these partners. Groups like PETA would like the public to believe rodeo equipment is inhumane. Wrong again! From cattle prods to flank straps, to spurs, the PRCA regulates the use of all equipment, and injury to an animal from such equipment is nearly nonexistent and then many times only because of a freak accident. Tomorrow I'll tell you some more about the life of rodeo stock and the respect given them by owners, competitors and fans. I'm Jeff Keane.