Letter to the editor: Permitting rodeos is a step backwards

On Jan. 24 and 25, there is going to be a rodeo at PPG Paints Arena! For 32 years, Pittsburgh law has prevented the use of cruel electric prods, flanks, backing straps and sharpened fixed spurs, all of which burn, wound and/or dig into animals’ skin and sensitive tissue — effectively keeping rodeos out of the city.

Now following a recent change to Pennsylvania laws that overturns local bans on rodeos, PPG Paints Arena plans to host a rodeo. In rodeos, animals often sustain agonizing and even fatal injuries, including punctured lungs, internal organ bruising, ripped tendons, torn ligaments and muscles, snapped necks and broken ribs, back or legs, and many have died.

I was proud to live in a part of the country where we did not allow this cruelty, and now it seems we are going backwards. There is enough sorrow and sadness in the world without causing pain to animals solely for the “entertainment” of some people.

Carole Hillwig

Greensburg