PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
Three horses die in a week at the Calgary Stampede:
it is high time to ban all activities involving animals!
Ottawa, July 12, 2019 – Following the death of a third horse since the start of the Calgary Stampede from July 5th to 14th, 2019, the Society for the Protection of Animals (SPA) Canada recalls that it is essential to prohibit any activity using animals.
Since its creation in 1986, the Calgary Stampede has hosted the world’s largest Chuckwagon racing competition, the GMC Rangeland Derby. The ten-day event allows contestants to win a total of $ 1.45 million. However, it is the horses forced to compete for the entertainment of spectators who pay the real price. “Year after year, the Calgary Stampede organizers argue that the deaths are isolated cases beyond their control. However, excuses do not bring back to life! The only way to avoid animal’s death is to stop the activities that involve them. ” commented Dominique Routhier, interim CEO and animal biologist of SPA Canada. On Monday, July 8, a few days after the start of the 2019 edition celebrating the city’s western heritage and animal exploitation, there was already one death. It was due to “a serious internal health problem” according to the organizers of the event. Only two days later, a second death occured. The horse had shown problems in the second corner of the race, but was forced to continue. It eventually collapsed as the end approached. Calgary Stampede officials say that the injury (a simple leg fracture) had supposedly only one solution … euthanasia! These two horses have, however, done the many veterinary tests required by the health program protocols allowing runners to participate in activities and showed no alarming signs. The “efforts” of the organizers to ensure the safety of animals are insufficient because they do not ensure their survival and welfare. On July 11, a collision between two wagons resulted in injuries to the horses. One of them lost its life.
Take action:
Every year, horses panic, are injured and die for the entertainment of the Calgary Stampede spectators. “I invite citizens to contact the Minister of Agriculture Canada, Marie-Claude Bibeau, to ask her to ban the use of animals at the Calgary Stampede. ” proposes Ms. Routhier.
Marie-Claude Bibeau: 819-347-2598 / 613-995-2024 / Marie-Claude.Bibeau@parl.gc.ca
About SPA Canada:
SPA Canada is a national nonprofit animal rights organization dedicated to creating awareness and educating people on respecting all animal species.
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For more information, please dial
1-877-630-NEWS (6397) or media@spacanada.org