#USA #Los Angeles #animal welfare #Last Chance for Animals #Bull Riding

Urgent Call for Action on Rodeo Animal Abuse

A recent bull-riding event at the Salinas Sports Complex has ignited public outrage after a disturbing video went viral, showing severe mistreatment of animals. The footage, which emerged on August 1, depicts a rider thrown from a bull and subsequently showcases multiple individuals kicking and striking the animal while it lay defenseless on the ground. This incident has drawn condemnation from animal rights organization Last Chance for Animals (LCA) and is now under investigation by local authorities including the Salinas Police Department and the SPCA Monterey County.

Chris DeRose, founder and president of LCA, expressed deep concern over the footage, condemning the actions exhibited at the event. He stated, “What transpired in Salinas was not a form of sport or entertainment—but a blatant act of cruelty witnessed by many.” This incident raises serious questions about the morality of bull-riding events, particularly those sanctioned by organizations like the California Rodeo Association (CRA), which have attempted to distance themselves from such occurrences.

As the city of Los Angeles faces the prospect of a major bull-riding event scheduled for early 2027, there’s growing pressure to take immediate action. The Los Angeles City Council had previously put forward a rodeo ban ordinance aimed at prohibiting harmful animal exhibition activities, including bull riding and other dangerous practices. However, this ordinance expired in July 2026 without a final vote, allowing years of public testimony and legal efforts to slip away unnoticed.

The proposed ordinance had aimed to not only halt cruel activities associated with rodeos but also protect culturally significant equestrian events. Revised language permitted cultural and community events, provided they did not include harmful practices towards animals. DeRose criticized the City Council’s failure to act, stating that their inaction ultimately harms animals who continue to face such horrific treatment.

As major players like the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) push for more rodeo events, the absence of protective legislation remains alarming. Advocates are urging a renewed effort to reintroduce the rodeo ban ordinance, emphasizing that it should not take another tragic event to prompt change. They argue that humane treatment of animals is non-negotiable and should be prioritized in the city’s policies.

With LCA and a coalition of animal welfare advocates rallying together, there is hope for legislative change before the PBR’s event lands in Los Angeles. The expectation is that immediate public hearings will be called, leading to prompt action on the ordinance, thereby ensuring that cruelty finds no place in California’s entertainment sector.

It has become clear that the community must unite in the fight against animal cruelty, demanding that the City Council take decisive actions to protect the vulnerable beings exploited under the guise of entertainment. The time to act is now, and advocates are determined to hold decision-makers accountable for the humane treatment of all animals.

About LCA: Founded in 1984, Last Chance for Animals (LCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending animal exploitation through education, investigation, and advocacy. The organization promotes a cruelty-free lifestyle and fights against all forms of animal suffering, reinforcing the belief that animals deserve to live free from harm at the hands of humans.