‘Mutton busting’ banned at rodeos
The move will not affect Livermore competition
OAKLAND >> Alameda County supervisors have banned “mutton busting,” a rodeo event in which children ride on the backs of sheep to see how long they can hang on before being tossed by the animals.
On Tuesday, supervisors voted 3-2 to prohibit riding sheep at local rodeos, with Supervisors Nate Miley and Scott Haggerty in opposition.
About a dozen public speakers weighed in on the controversial sport out of an audience of about 75, with supporters of the ban arguing it will prevent animal cruelty and opponents saying it will deny children a chance to have fun with animals and learn about ranching and Western heritage.
Kids as young as age 4 take part in mutton busting, which literally can last just a few seconds as the sheep runs and jumps to try to toss the rider off its back.
In January, supervisors asked the county staff to craft an ordinance banning sheep riding. Tuesday’s action marked its initial approval. It will come back for a second reading in the next few weeks and go into effect 30 days after final approval.
Supervisor Richard Valle said he supported the ordinance because the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals opposes the activity.
Miley said he was not convinced.
“I think there is a dispute whether mutton busting is cruel to animals,” he said.
Along with Haggerty, Miley also said he did not want to undermine agricultural and ranching business in Alameda County through curbing rodeo events.
“I believe, personally, it’s an issue between the parent and child,” Haggerty said about mutton busting.
The prohibition will affect rodeos at the Alameda County Fairgrounds and at Rowell Ranch Rodeo Park, located along Interstate 580 in the unincorporated area between Castro Valley and Dublin. The park is operated by the Hayward Area Recreation and
Park District.
The ban will not affect rodeos in Livermore since those are outside the county’s jurisdiction.
“Our animals are truly our livelihood and are valuable to us,” Russ Fields of Rowell Ranch told supervisors.
The county’s current rodeo events ordinance was adopted in 1993 and only prohibits the intentional tripping, felling or dragging of horses or cattle for sport or entertainment. A violation is a misdemeanor.
Mutton busting already is banned at rodeos in New Zealand, which Supervisor Wilma
Chan noted has more sheep than people.
“Alameda County’s sheep-riding ban is an important first step,” Matthew Hamity, director of campaigns and legislative affairs for In Defense of Animals, said in a statement after Tuesday’s action from the board. “We will not rest until the cruelest rodeo practices are abolished. Tie-down calf roping, and the use of flank strap and spurs in horse-bucking events, routinely cause serious injury and even death.”
Mary Lodge of Castro Valley told supervisors that her 9-yearold son learned life skills, sportsmanship and respect for animals while taking part in mutton busting.
“I am offended for being constantly attacked for my judgment as a parent in allowing my son to mutton-bust,” Lodge said.
But Jim Reynolds, a veterinarian who has served as chairman of the American Veterinary Medical Association, said the sport is inherently cruel because the sheep are scared during the competition.
“The event would not be entertaining if the animals did not try to escape,” Reynolds told supervisors.
Miley said he believed the actual goal of campaigners against mutton busting is to get rid of rodeos entirely as part of advocating for animal welfare.
“The agenda is to ban rodeos,” he said. “Clearly, there’s an agenda, and the agenda is pretty apparent.”
Haggerty accused some who oppose mutton busting of hypocrisy.
“Some of you are going to go home and have a big steak, a lamb chop or a slice of ham,” he told those at Tuesday’s meeting. “If you want to talk about cruelty to animals, go to a slaughterhouse.”