Rodeos have become too common in Massachusetts and as western Massachusetts residents, we urge the city of Northampton to be proactive and vow to never host a rodeo or bull-riding event. Rodeos are extremely physically and psychologically distressing for horses and bulls.

During rodeos, bulls are crammed into trucks and tormented by "cowboys" and rodeo clowns. They often wear bucking straps, often around their groin area. The bulls buck uncontrollably in a futile attempt to escape the discomfort. The flank strap is tightened painfully around the bulls' sensitive flank area as the chute gate is opened. They do not stop bucking when they have thrown their rider, but only once the irritating strap is loosened. The strap can cause bloody and painful open wounds which investigators have found at virtually every bull riding event. In addition, bucking bulls can suffer back and leg injuries from repeated pounding on hard ground.

This abuse begins even prior to their arrival in the ring. The bulls are transported in very confining trailers and may be confined for as long as 24 hours without being properly fed or watered. Simply isolating a herd or prey animal creates fear and can result in aggression. The bulls are kept in an unnatural setting away from their herd. Before their event, they are forced into a chute, where they are isolated from the other bulls. As the gate opens, they are released into the arena, where people cheer at their torture, treating it as a sport.  Then the bull begins to buck wildly in an attempt to escape his discomfort and terror. The stressful situation causes them to become aggressive, because as prey animals, bulls perceive a rider on their back as a threat to their lives.

It is not uncommon for bulls to suffer permanent injuries to their spines and legs, and end up being euthanized by the Rodeo League when they break their legs from their panicked run.  In addition, bull-riding is  considered one of the most dangerous sports, and the industry is now facing major lawsuits by spectators injured by bulls that have leapt over crowds and trampled attendees.

Please help keep Northampton an animal-friendly, family-friendly city that does not support violence or cruelty.  Kindness matters to ALL, by more people. Rodeo is an archaic form of entertainment that the Animal Rescue League of Boston and the MSPCA both condemn because of its negative impact on animals.