Now is the time to end sick bullfighting, rodeos

Members of several communities in the Bay Area and Sacramento are continually attempting to convince new leaders and career politicians that the abuse of animals is directly correlated to the increasing violence affecting our daily lives.

With upcoming summer events for people seeking entertainment, profit-driven rodeos are promoted to fill seats — at the expense of the animals, where violence against sentient creatures is propagated.

The lengthy history of animal abuse that occurs at rodeos is well documented, yet many are detached and conditioned to allow these cruel events to continue.

Although voices of opposition to such wanton cruelty have been articulated for decades, this powerful industry continues to promote these abusive events as “family entertainment.”

Cattle rental businesses provide livestock for such events, such as the Rowell Ranch Rodeo Committee.

It cannot be disputed that bulls, cows, horses and sheep do in fact suffer at these violent events.

This has been acknowledged by ethical veterinarians, scientific animal behaviorists and concerned, compassionate regular folks who have attested over the years that this type of “entertainment” is extremely distressing to the livestock exploited.

From the farm to lengthy transportation, to the corrals and the roar of the public, exposing animals to such toxicity, induces fear, anxiety, injuries and death.

The upcoming rodeo approved by the Livermore City Council, once again has been asked to terminate the “wild cow milking contest.”

This cruel event uses lactating cows that have recently given birth to be hurriedly milked by contestants seeking prize money and irrelevant fame.

The mother should be naturally spending time with her calf and certainly not forced to be manhandled by ruffians in a distressful setting, as a rowdy crowd further intensifies an already traumatic situation.

The neglect of the calf and abuse of the cow must end. Permanently.

The Livermore Rodeo is scheduled at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Robertson Arena.

To voice your opposition to the “wild cow milking contest,” the Livermore Council members can be reached at 1052 South Livermore Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550-1052.

Their phone number is 925960-4000 during working days.

Do not wait to call them on the weekend.

The mayor of Livermore is Bob Woerner. Council members are Gina Bonanno, Brittni Kiick, Trish Munro and Bob Carling. This council meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month.

Be a voice of reason and compassion and help abolish this cruel spectacle forever.

• When the current President of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, ran for office, animal activists in Mexico City were told Obrador would likely cancel bullfighting in Mexico.

Although he has been president of Mexico since Dec. 1, 2018, not much has changed regarding abolishing bullfighting since his presidential campaign.

A news segment caught my eye this past Friday, when a Mexican judge ordered the delay of bullfighting in the largest bullring in Mexico City's Plaza de Toros.

Bullfighting is a horrid display of animal cruelty that was brought to Mexico by the Spanish Conquistadores in the 16th century. It was among many other disasters inflicted upon the native people by the ruthless invaders.

Now, more than 500 years later, this multimillion-dollar industry is under scrutiny by a growing number of Mexican people who feel this form of brutal entertainment is both unnecessary and uncivilized.

In fact, nearly three-quarters of Mexican citizens support a bullfighting ban.

The federal court ruled in response to the petition initiated by Justicia Justa (Just Justice), an unwavering activist group.

The judge stated, “Must immediately suspend bullfighting shows as well granting of permits.”

Another hearing is due Thursday when arguments and evidence will be presented by both sides of this critical issue, as another event is planned at the Plaza de Toros on July 2.

Plaza de Toros has a capacity of 50,000 people that regularly attend these bloody events in the name of tradition and entertainment, a tradition established by assailants, pillagers, rapists and murderers, well documented in the annals of time.

In December, an Animal Welfare Commission in Mexico City approved a proposal to outlaw this barbaric practice in the capital.

Lawmakers have not yet voted on the plan, but the expectation of results has supporters of bullfighting, as well as the industry that embraces it, in dismay.

Big money is at stake and so is the future welfare of the animals exploited. Greed vs. compassion.

Off the 32 states, only a few have banned the practiced tradition established by the Spanish Conquistadores.

The time to end this brutal tradition in all of Mexico is now.

It cannot be disputed that bulls, cows and horses suffer at these violent events. Abolish these cruel spectacles forever.