Rodeo's are a cruel, outdated and completely unnecessary form of entertainment that involves the painful, stressful and harmful treatment of animals. Please don't support or host them in the beautiful city of Santa Barbara!

Rodeos may be popular, but more and more Americans are becoming aware of just how cruel these events are for the animals forced to participate. The horses, bulls, steer, and calves suffer broken ribs, backs, and legs, torn tails, punctured lungs, internal organ damage, ripped tendons, torn ligaments, snapped necks, and agonizing deaths.

The injuries are not confined to the rodeos themselves. For instance, during practice sessions, a calf may be roped repeatedly, until the calf suffers injuries that require her replacement.

Cruel tools like the “hotshot” are used to make the animals perform. This is an electric prod that scares an animal into displaying abnormally dramatic reactions through intense pain. Other tools include metal spurs and “bucking straps” that burn the animal’s abdomen and groin area and cause him to “buck” and can lead to back and leg injuries.

Travel between events is punishing, as well. Animals are often transported over long distances in hot and overcrowded trucks and trailers. The official rules of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association permit them to be confined during transport for as long as 24 hours without being fed or watered.

Tragically, there are few laws protecting animals forced to perform in rodeos, and the federal Animal Welfare Act exempts rodeos from the protections it provides to animals.

A handful of states have already recognized the unnecessary cruelty of rodeos, and have passed laws that ban rodeo events.

How can we call ourself a progressive and compassionate city while still hosting inhuman, antiquated rodeos? Let our Mayor and local lawmakers know that YOU want to see similar legislation passed in Santa Barbara by signing this petition today!