The American Veterinary Medical Association AVMA Betrays Animals Abused in Rodeos
An Animal Rights Article from All-Creatures.org

FROM SHARK Showing Animals Respect and Kindness
December 2019

Steer busting clearly violates the AVMA’s policy regarding "...activities that substantially compromise or risk animal welfare.”

A steer injured at the 2019 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo...

SHARK investigators filmed the mishandling of an injured steer at the 2019 PRCA National Steer Roping Finals. The steer was dropped from a pallet due to carelessness, and fell headfirst to the pavement. The steer was then left, untreated, in a dark trailer, as was another injured steer.

Dr. Brian Hodes, was the official onsite veterinarian. A SHARK investigator called Dr. Hode about the incident. Dr. Hodes, who was unaware that there was video documentation, repeated denied the incident. His statements were recorded, and are part of this video: Veterinarian Caught Lying About Injured Rodeo Steer.

SHARK is exposing how the The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has betrayed animals abused in rodeos. As you will read in the following letter that SHARK sent to them, we went to their offices to ask for them to enforce their own rules regarding animal welfare, but they have failed to do so.

SHARK's letter to John Howe, President, AVMA

Dr. Howe,

On August 19, 2019, I went to the AVMA headquarters in Schaumburg [IL] with a thumb drive containing a video file of steer busting, aka steer tripping, aka single steer roping. This event, which is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) is one of rodeo’s most brutal events. Steer busting regularly injures and kills animals.

I spoke with Carole Jordan, Assistant Director, Governance Administration. Ms. Jordan would not take the thumb drive I offered. She instead requested a video link, which I provided later in the day via email. Ms. Jordan acknowledged receipt of the link.

That was the last I heard from Ms. Jordan. Further attempts to communicate with her via email have failed. I do not believe that she is derelict, but rather, that the AVMA simply refuses to say or do anything. To say that I am disappointed with the AVMA’s carelessness and lack of dedication to its mission is an understatement.

Because of its utter brutality, and its attendant body count, steer busting occurs in only about a dozen states. It is typically held during slack, when only rodeo hardcores are present.

Here is a video link of not only the activity, but also of one of your members giving a rather wanting representation of your organization: Veterinarian Caught Lying About Injured Rodeo Steer

Regarding animals used in entertainment, shows, and for exhibition, the AVMA has a policy that states in part:

Animal welfare guidelines and standards must prohibit intentional animal injury or death and activities that substantially compromise or risk animal welfare.

Steer busting clearly violates the AVMA’s policy regarding “…activities that substantially compromise or risk animal welfare.”

Sincerely,
Steve Hindi, President
SHowing Animals Resect and Kindness (SHARK)

Going forward, SHARK is going to expose the AVMA at every opportunity until such time as you should choose to actually exercise your policy. 

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