VANCOUVER — Actress and activist Pamela Anderson is speaking out against a rodeo in her home province of B.C.
The Vancouver Island native tweeted her support of a campaign against the Luxton Pro Rodeo in Langford, located near her hometown of Ladysmith.
Vancouver Islanders, please don’t support the Luxton Rodeo! Help @VanHumane and @VCARE2013 end rodeo cruelty on the Island.
— Pamela Anderson (@PamelaDAnderson) March 21, 2014
Anderson is an avid animal activist and has spoken out about several high-profile issues, including Canada’s seal hunt and the Calgary stampede.
READ MORE: Pamela Anderson gets frosty reception from Canadian sealers
The Vancouver Humane Society and Victoria Citizens Against Rodeo Events have been calling for an end to calf-roping and steer wrestling at the upcoming Luxton Rodeo, saying the events are cruel and cause suffering to animals.
“There is no doubt that animals suffer in rodeos and people who care about animals should take a stand against the cruelty involved,” said VHS spokesperson Peter Fricker in a statement.
According to the BC SPCA, rodeo events rely on cattle acting stressed and afraid to make them buck harder and run faster to escape the cowboys.
“Devices that irritate the animals may be used to make bulls and horses buck wildly. Look closely at the bull riding and you will see a flank strap around the waist of the bull. This strap is tightened as the bull leaves the stall causing him to buck wildly to try to get it off,” the BC SPCA said in a release, adding that animals get injured and die every year as a result of rodeos.
READ MORE: Steer euthanized at Calgary Stampede
VCARE spokesperson Melissa de Meulles said they are calling on the City of Langford and rodeo officials to look at ways to make the events less cruel.
However, the City of Langford said Friday there are no plans to change events at the rodeo in light of mounting pressure from animal activists.
The Luxton Rodeo has been taking place since 1975. Event organizers could not be reached for comment.
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