AR-News: (US-tx)RodeoHouston faces challenges as it comes out of the chute today

[Animalconcerns]

[from Houston Chronicle]

Getting this year's Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo all saddled and
cinched up tight for today's opening wasn't easy, one of the outfit's
longtime top hands said.

"Has this been an unusual year, and from a marketing standpoint probably
one of the most unusual?" RodeoHouston assistant general manager Leroy
"Shafe" Shafer asked. "Absolutely."

Rodeo officials have had to deal with a later-than-usual start, a little
competition of sorts with the Super Bowl, and, of late, perceptions of
public health issues related to the mad cow scare and avian flu. 
...
Another challenge has been around for several years -- the perception of
animal rights activists that rodeos are cruel.

"Rodeos take normally docile animals and provoke fierce and aggressive
behavior from them for sport," said Christy Griffin, a campaign
coordinator for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

She said animals are subjected to tail twisting, electric prods, bucking
straps and spurs. And she singled out calf roping as a particularly cruel
event.

A growing number of people, she said, "don't want to see baby animals
jerked around." 

full story:
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/2428330

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