With just a week to go until the debut rodeo hosted at Petco Park, the San Diego City Council is looking to initiate a proposal to ban equestrian competition within city limits.
Councilor Kent Lee announced his intention to introduce the measure in a statement published this Thursday, after enormous criticism from animal defenders.
"The city of San Diego has a history of caring for animals, including investing in our shelters, community veterinary clinics, and providing grants to local animal rescue nonprofits," Lee said. "This ordinance will ensure that no more animals suffer unnecessarily under the guise of entertainment in San Diego.
According to Lee's office, the text of the ordinance is still being drafted, in partnership with the San Diego Humane Society.
It is worth mentioning that this protest comes from months ago when the Animal Protection and Rescue League, Inc., expressed concern for the well-being of the animals involved in the rodeo, for which it went to court and filed a lawsuit to stop the event, the which was denied by a judge.
Incident on the first night of Rodeo in San Diego
The first night of the San Diego Rodeo at Petco Park turned quite tragic after a horse ran at full speed and crashed into a safety fence.
The incident occurred during the "Indigenous Relay Race", in the first lap, the 6-year-old horse threw its rider, then ran directly into a metal fence, and collapsed on the ground.
"The initial examination did not reveal any signs of fracture or instability," according to Jed Pugsley, livestock welfare director at San Diego Rodeo.
Opposition to the ordinance
In a statement, the San Diego Rodeo Alliance, which includes local tribal leaders, expressed disappointment with the announcement of the rodeo ban and said they “view this as a direct attack on indigenous cultural heritage and traditions.
"We are prepared and determined to mobilize against this bad political decision that is not in touch with the values of our community," the statement continues.
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