Killeen rodeo cruelty better this year?

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In spite of tons of video evidence of cruelty, no one was charged, nothing was done as is typical in the cowardly world of rodeo. This is pure PR bull****. Welcome to Texas. (Where I live unfortunately). Animal Cruelty Central. Area animal rights activist concerned about rodeo Posted on: Thursday, June 05, 2008, 1:01 AM By Kevin M. SmithKilleen Daily Herald While all eyes will be on the rodeo events this weekend, there also will be an extra set of eyes on the rodeo behind the scenes. A letter from George Fox complaining about the treatment of animals at the Killeen rodeo prompted an investigation by the

city of Killeen. The investigation consulted veterinarians and Bell County Attorney Rick Miller, but did not find enough evidence to file charges to pursue prosecution, according to a report from Killeen City Attorney Kathy Davis. "I'm not opposed to having a rodeo, as long as we follow the rules," said Fox, who is a local animal rights activist and president of Assisi Animal Refuge. The allegations by Fox, which included a video on youtube.com, led to the city's Animal Control Department taking a more proactive role in future rodeos. "There will be more intensive oversight of the rodeo operations because of allegations made by Mr. Fox," Killeen Police Capt. Steve Hoskins, who oversees the Animal Control Division, said in an e-mail. "Animal Control personnel will be checking the areas behind the scenes where the alleged abuses are said to frequently occur and they will be taking action as necessary if violations are noted. It is not my intent to

have them interfere with the overall operations of the rodeo as a rodeo is a legal activity but cruelty and abuse will not be sanctioned in order for the show to go on." Fox said members of the rodeo crossed the legal line with some of their practices. In his letter of complaint to the city, Fox had four main questions. Davis responded to each question and the sub questions. Among Fox's questions was whether participants in the rodeo violated city ordinances and state statutes related to animal cruelty. The youtube.com video, which also can be found at saynotorodeo.org, shows handlers twisting tails and using shocking devices to rile the animals. Three local veterinarians were consulted for Davis' report, they all said those practices are not out of the ordinary for moving or controlling large animals. "I believe some of the techniques they used were uncalled for," Dr. Laura Szeremi said, adding that none of it seemed to torture the animals.

Szeremi, who owns Banfield Pet Hospital in Killeen, said to her it comes down to an ethical question: should those practices be used for entertainment. She said she uses the tail-twist method to control cattle for surgical procedures. The veterinarians consulted included Szeremi, who sits on the Animal Advisory Committee; Dr. Warren Dunn, the veterinarian present at the rodeo; Dr. Bradley Buckley, who has worked with large animals and with rodeos; and Dr. Mitchell Jacobs, who works with large animals. They all said, while it seemed bothersome, the tail twisting and shock methods were typical practices for controlling animals. Szeremi, in an interview, said the animals don't know the difference if the tail twisting is to help them or for entertainment. "Some of the complaints (Fox) is complaining about are self-assessing," said Bell County Commissioner John Fisher, who sits on the Rodeo Committee, noting tail twisting is a common and humane

way to move livestock. Fisher also argued that the livestock are how the rodeo producer makes a living. "It's obviously not to his benefit to be cruel to his livelihood," Fisher said. Fox also asked if the city's rodeo subcommittee violated the city's open meeting policy while planning for the rodeo event to be held in Salado. Davis, in her report, stated that the Texas Open Meetings Act only applies to governmental bodies – not citizen committees. It is the city's policy that all boards, commissions and committees adhere to the Open Meetings Act, the report states. Fisher told Davis that the Salado event was done with the same arrangements as the previous two years so no new decisions were made and there was no reason for a discussion, according to the report. Fox's next question was whether the city would hire an independent third party to conduct an audit of the funding sources and expenses for the rodeo. His concern came

from the event in Salado and whether the city paid for it. The report states that Fisher claimed the owner of Wildfire Arena allowed the use of the arena for no charge and there was no cost for the city. Fox also asked if the rodeo subcommittee knowingly hired a stock contractor with a reputation for rough and cruel treatment of stock. "There is no evidence to suggest that Bad Company has a reputation for rough and cruel treatment of stock, or that the rodeo committee sought out a contractor with such a reputation," the report states. The Rodeo Killeen Committee did contact with a different company this year. The contract with Bad Company Rodeo ended after last year. The committee bid out the contract and awarded it to Andrews Rodeo Company. "We have a new stock producer," Fisher said. "We went out of bid and made all the bidders aware we had some issues brought up by George Fox." Fisher said Andrews promised there would be

no problems. Fox said he doesn't expect to see the same actions that prompted his complaints if Animal Control officers are vigilant. Fox said he hopes he just made things better for the animals. "I'm hoping this year we will in fact see a difference," Fox said. The rodeo begins at 8 p.m. today through Saturday at the rodeo grounds in Killeen in the 3600 block of South W.S. Young Drive. http://pets.Fortheanimals7/join http://www.myspace.com/fortheanimals7