Electricl Prodding OK'd for rodeo after 20-year ban in CA

November 12, 2008

I had a lengthy talk with Rita Shue on the board of HARD about this ridiculous claim of shocking being used for "safety". Does that even make sense to a 5 year old???? Apparently, she blames California's state law of "safety" (worded by the rodeo mafia) as the reason they HAD to reverse the ban, as she claims Hayward wasn't in compliance. Hmmm. How did they get someone convicted and fined for doing it then? Now every single animal will be shocked in chutes, many in the face. Please email her at shur

Prodding OK'd for rodeo after 20-year ban

By Kristofer NocedaThe Daily Review

Article Last Updated: 11/11/2008 10:59:51 PM PST

HAYWARD — A ban on electric prods that has been enforced at Castro Valley's Rowell Ranch Rodeo for 20 years was unanimously removed Monday by Hayward Area Recreation and Park District directors.

The policy was revised to bring HARD's rule in line with California's, which allows the use of prods on animals for emergency and safety purposes.. Directors said they expect the revised rule to be in place by the next rodeo in May.

"We need it to protect the rider and animal," said Russ Fields, chairman of the Rowell Ranch Rodeo. "It's just a tool in the livestock industry. It's like a hammer to a carpenter."

Fields said a crowded chute can lead to injuries. The rodeo association could also be liable if prods were not used in any situation that resulted in injury, officials said.

HARD's revised policy is also consistent with Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association standards, which allow the use of prods to jump-start stalled broncs out of their chutes.

The district's ban on prods was enforced earlier this year when a handler was caught on videotape using the device on horses during the Rowell Ranch Rodeo in May.

Board directors settled on handing a $2,500 fine to the rodeo association, but ordered the district to look into revising the policy after cowboys and rodeo officials raised concerns that the ban contradicts national and state standards.

"There is a level of hypocrisy here that is strange," veterinarian Elliot

Katz told the board Monday. "Don't change the law because someone broke it."

Katz was one of a core group of animal rights activists who pleaded with the board to keep the ban in place.

Eric Mills, a coordinator for Oakland-based Action for Animals, has spearheaded efforts to try and keep HARD's ban in place. He called Monday's decision a "step backward for the district."

"They were caught with their pants down this year," Mills said. "Rather than change their behavior, they change the rules. That's absurd."

Rodeo officials maintain prods are only used as a last resort.

If a horse stalls, handlers move them to another chute, and do so again if the horse still stalls.

A prod is then used on the bronc if the it continues to stall after the third chute, Fields said.

Rodeo officials said of the 121 horses used in the Rowell Ranch Rodeo in May, five broncs were shocked by prods.

Still, the district plans to form a committee soon to study any possible alternatives to the use of prods on animals at the rodeo.

"There has to be a way to have our cake and eat it," director Minane Jameson said. "We need to keep the conversations going for a progressive, humane rodeo."

Reach Kristofer Noceda at 510-293-2479 or knoceda.