Anderson calls for end to rodeo events at B.C. fair
It’s time to end ‘cruelty,’ celeb says
Celebrity Pamela Anderson has thrown her support behind the Vancouver Humane Society and its protest against the Chilliwack Fair.
“Let’s end rodeo cruelty in Chilliwack,” tweeted the B.C.-born actress, model and animal rights advocate, linking to the society’s online campaign.
The annual fair begins Friday. Anderson has more than one million followers on Twitter.
The humane society has been urging organizers annually to drop what they call “inhumane” events such as calf roping, steer wrestling and team roping from the fair’s program, and for attendees and local businesses not to support the event. Their website also features information on the fair’s key sponsors and urges individuals to contact them and voice their opposition to the fair.
“There is no doubt that animals suffer in rodeos and people who care about animals should take a stand against the cruelty involved,” said society spokesman Peter Fricker.
“We appreciate Ms. Anderson’s support and acknowledgment of the inherent cruelty involved.”
Last year, organizers agreed to review their calf roping and steer wrestling events and discuss possibly removing the events.
Organizers opted to keep the rodeo events but did introduce some rule changes to reduce animal stress, including a rule that disqualifies the roper if a calf is yanked off all four feet and its body touches the ground before the roper reaches the animal.
Cathy Oss, president of the Chilliwack Agricultural Society, said without those specific events, the fair would not be considered a sanctioned rodeo.
She pointed out the fair is taking place in a new arena which cost the city of Chilliwack $100,000 and includes chutes and stalls that ensure safety for both animals and humans. She noted an invitation was also extended to the B.C. SPCA to come observe the animals.
“The Chilliwack Fair enjoys a 30-year relationship with the Chilliwack Rodeo Association, which is the organization who puts on the annual rodeo. In our experience the CRA has shown professional attention and provide outstanding care and treatment of their rodeo livestock and prevention of injury,” said Oss in a statement.
“They have an excellent safety record and, as a sanctioned BCRA Rodeo, they uphold and aggressively enforce all regulations governing the proper treatment and care of rodeo livestock.”
The fair is inviting the public to learn about animals and agriculture by making several animal-related groups available on site to answer questions. Among those is the B.C. Rodeo Association. The Fraser Valley Animal Rights Association plans to host a “peaceful protest” outside the fair Sunday.
Anderson was born in Ladysmith, B.C. She was discovered after appearing on the Jumbo tr on at a 1989 B.C. Lions game and, soon after, was hired as a Labatt model and appeared in Playboy. She has since starred on shows such as Home Improvement and Baywatch, and is a vocal animal rights advocate and a vegan.