Opinion: Rodeos Are Lawful, But They’re Also a Tradition Whose Time Has Passed

There is an unfortunate saying in animal welfare: “Awful, but lawful.” There is no better way to describe rodeos. The San Diego Humane Society supports an immediate end to the inhumane practices involved in rodeos — and a future without rodeos altogether.

In numerous recent articles and opinion pieces, references have been made to San Diego Humane Society’s “audit” of the 2024 San Diego Rodeo at Petco Park. These references have implied our approval of the event, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

It’s true that our Humane Law Enforcement officers were present and did not witness any legally citable, statutory violations. But that is a shortcoming of current animal welfare laws, rather than proof that rodeos are humane. Unfortunately, particularly when it comes to the treatment of animals, just because something is legal doesn’t mean it is humane.

 We recognize and respect that the cultural roots of rodeos run deep in parts of the United States, Mexico and South America. Simultaneously, we recognize that tradition does not excuse the cruelty that is inherent in many rodeo events, including calf roping, steer wrestling and bull riding, to name a few.

History is filled with examples of actions that were once considered acceptable and are now recognized as cruel, unjust or inhumane. We’ve moved on from past ways of thinking when we realized that they led to the mistreatment and subjugation of animals and people —even when it meant breaking from cultural norms or traditions.

At the core of rodeo events like bull riding, calf roping, and bronc riding is the forced domination of animals. Bulls and horses are goaded into aggression using methods such as spurs, flank straps and electric prods. Calves are roped and yanked violently by their necks, often at great risk to their spinal cords and windpipes.

Animals used in rodeos are deliberately provoked, terrified and put under physical stress for one reason: to make them “perform” for human amusement. As a leader in animal welfare and an organization committed to protecting animals, we have an obligation to stand up and be the voice of change.  

Rodeo advocates claim that animals are “treated well” outside of the arena and that the events are not nearly as harmful as critics claim. However, temporary “good treatment” does not negate the terror and pain these animals experience in the arena.

Bulls and horses are prey animals, and their natural instinct is to flee from danger. The rodeo forces them into unnatural, aggressive behavior through fear and discomfort, and no amount of post-rodeo care can undo the trauma they endure in those moments. Moreover, accidents are common, leading to broken bones, ruptured organs and even death for the animals involved.

Through the years, we’ve seen growing awareness around the ethical treatment of animals in various industries, from farming to entertainment. Cockfighting and dogfighting are no longer considered acceptable. Circuses have largely phased out animal performances due to public awareness of how they are treated, greyhound racing is now banned in all but two states, and there is a widespread movement to ban horse-drawn carriages in major cities.

Rodeos, however, remain an outlier in the conversation on animal welfare. The animals subjected to rodeo events experience just as much fear and pain as animals used in other outlawed blood sports. The difference is that rodeo cruelty is cloaked in the guise of cultural nostalgia.

The time has come to acknowledge that culture must evolve when it causes suffering. Just as we no longer accept cockfighting or dogfighting as legitimate “traditions,” we must recognize rodeos as incompatible with modern values of compassion and respect for animals. History will not judge us kindly if we continue to turn a blind eye to the cruelty inherent in these events.

It’s time for society to move beyond rodeos and embrace a future where tradition does not come at the cost of animal suffering.

Julianna Tetlow is senior director of government relations at the San Diego Humane Society.