The recent bull-riding event at PPG Paints Arena showed to me a total lack of regard for the animals forced into it, as well as Pittsburghers who voted against cruel rodeos 32 years ago. In a sickening irony, the ban was enacted all those years ago after a bull broke its leg and was then killed in our city at one of these disgusting spectacles, just one of many horrific injuries the animals senselessly suffer.
A small group of politicians — illegitimately and undemocratically, in my opinion — overrode the citizens’ ban. Professional Bull Riders paid $22,000 to lobbyists to make that happen. In a typical sleazeball move, the unethical reversal of the citizens’ ban was inserted into a fiscal bill, where it had no earthly business being, and the governor approved it.
Rodeos are not tradition; they are just another money-making scheme that inhumanely exploits animals. A good video to watch on the subject is “Bucking Tradition” on YouTube. Another good source for information on rodeo cruelty is SHARK — Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (imagine that) online.
Animals are not ours to use and abuse, particularly not for so-called entertainment, sport or family fun. It’s terrible to teach children to show such disrespect toward animals. PPG Paints Arena and the attendees opted for greed and heartlessness over the good people of Pittsburgh.
Danette Zachary
Denbo