As Western Massachusetts residents, we urge you NOT to host a rodeo at this year’s fair. Rodeos are extremely physically and psychologically distressing for horses, and at a family-centered event like the Westfield Fair, we are horrified that you would host an event that promotes animal cruelty.

During rodeos, bulls are crammed into trucks and tormented by "cowboys" and rodeo clowns. They often wear bucking straps, often around their groin area. The bulls buck uncontrollably in a futile attempt to escape the discomfort. The flank strap is tightened painfully around the bulls' sensitive flank area as the chute gate is opened. They do not stop bucking when they have thrown their rider, but only once the irritating strap is loosened. The strap can cause bloody and painful open wounds which investigators have found at virtually every bull riding event. In addition, bucking bulls can suffer back and leg injuries from repeated pounding on hard ground.

This abuse begins even prior to their arrival in the ring. The bulls are transported in very confining trailers and may be confined for as long as 24 hours without being properly fed or watered. Simply isolating a herd or prey animal creates fear and can result in aggression. The bulls are kept in an unnatural setting away from their herd. Before their event, they are forced into a chute, where they are isolated from the other bulls. As the gate opens, they are released into the arena, where they are alone, surrounded by more people. As they buck, they look for an escape route but are trapped. The stressful situation causes them to become more aggressive — just as they would if they were being attacked by a predator.
This animal abuse portrayed as sport is often promoted as a family event, a place where children can cheer alongside adults as animals are dominated and brutalized, and the animal abusers are given a score at the end. What does this teach our children?

Please keep your fair family-friendly, support animal welfare, and do not host a rodeo this year.