An animal rights group wants to prevent the holding of two rodeo events usually presented at the Festival western de Saint-Tite, alleging that they constitute mistreatment and cause distress to animals.
Posted at 12:55 p.m.
The group Droit animalier Québec (DAQ) filed Thursday in the Superior Court an application for an injunction to prohibit the tests of taking the calf by lasso and the earthwork of the steer (calf that has become an adolescent).
These two tests constitute ill-treatment that can affect the health of animals and thus compromise their well-being and their safety, argues the lawsuit. They “place [les êtres animaux] in a situation of distress, because they are subjected to a treatment which [leur] causes acute pain and that they are exposed to conditions that [leur] cause excessive anxiety and suffering,” DAQ said.
In 2015, the Civil Code of Quebec was amended to state that “animals are not property. They are sentient beings and they have biological imperatives,” said DAQ spokesperson Oana Zamfir.
“There was also the adoption of the Animal Welfare and Safety Act (BESA law) which stipulates that the owner or custodian of the animal being must ensure that its well-being and safety are not compromised”, adds Mr.me Zamfir.
DAQ submitted to a veterinarian, the Dr Geoffroy Autenne, rodeo videos shot in 2017, 2019 and 2021.
In his report, Dr.r Autenne concludes that “the activities of lassoing the calf and terracing the steer are detrimental to the health of these animals”.
During the rodeos, the cowboys carry out “manipulations during which the animals are systematically exposed to methods of restraint and violent manipulation (throwing to the ground by cervical twisting, restraint by strangulation with a lasso) which are particularly stressful, leading to a state of distress of animal, [qui est exposé] to acute pain leading to a state of suffering defined by the aversive awareness of pain given the cognitive abilities of cattle,” writes the veterinarian.
“It observes that the targeted activities cause calves and steers significant tissue damage in the cervical region, eye damage and respiratory distress,” the suit states.
About 40 calves and 40 steers would participate in these activities annually, and each animal would be used repeatedly, according to DAQ.
The organization is therefore asking the court to prohibit these two activities.
The direction of the Western Festival of Saint-Tite did not want to grant an interview, indicating that a press release would be issued later Friday.
The Festival will take place this year from September 9 to 18.