Cowboys and livestock contractors respond to animal cruelty concerns at Red Bluff Round Up
RED BLUFF, Calif. — In recent years, animal activists and groups like PETA have openly criticized rodeos and the way of the wild west accusing them of animal cruelty.
PETA, also known as the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, says thatrodeos are nothing more than manipulative displays of human domination over animals, thinly disguised as entertainment.
In response, livestock contractors, contestants and cowboys at the Red Bluff Round Up are responding to the criticism from groups like PETA.
"I think if you look at it in a sense that you know, are these animals competing? Or are they used in competition? That is the main question we asked ourselves years ago and the answer was simple for us, they're competing," said Keith Marrington, a Stock Contractor from the Calgary Stampede.
Local cowboys in Red Bluff say that the livestock are what make the rodeo so great and bring in the economic boom that Red Bluff sees during rodeo weekend.
"We're packaging a lifestyle, a way of the wild west and we're putting it into a two hour and 45 minute package and serving it to people and they're gobbling it up," said JJ Harrison, a rodeo clown that travels nationally to almost every rodeo in the United States.
In addition, James Miller, who is the General Manager of the Red Bluff Round Up, says that the reason good contestants choose to come to Red Bluff for the rodeo is the livestock. Without good livestock, people don't want to enter into the competition because it significantly decreases their chances of winning money.
However at a rodeo like the Red Bluff Round Up, people like John Growney, a fifth generation cowboy, raises bucking bulls and is a big reason why contestants come to Tehama County.
Growney has raised some of the best bucking bulls in the world.
In events like bull riding, half of the rider's score is dependent on how well the bull bucks and performs.
Marrington says, "There's incentives and bonuses for if your stock performs well. It's our livelihood. If you don't take care of them, they are not going to perform properly."
Contractors like Marrington say that they take good care of their livestock to ensure they are performing at their best. Growney does the same.
They do this by feeding them well, giving them plenty of water and having a vet look at them onsite both before and after they compete to ensure they are not injured.
However, animal welfare activists argue that the animals don't have a choice whether they compete or not, and are often subject to cruel measures that causes them to become agitated and buck more.
"Even we're considered animals and its animal cruelty to the bull riders. I know I'm making a joke out of that but bulls hurt cowboys and cowboys don't hurt bulls," said Growney.
Contractors and cowboys say whether you enjoy the rodeo or not, this is their livelihood and they would never treat the animals in a cruel way because their careers depend on them.