Assisi Animal Refuge • Trap Neuter & Release • Humane Education

Victory in Killeen, TX - No more steer roping!

 

sharkonline.org - SHARK Update Wednesday, January 23, 2008 3:10 PM

 

George Fox of Assisi Animal Refuge in Killeen, TX has succeeded in having the most brutal and deadly event in rodeo stopped at the Killeen Rodeo.
 
For over a decade, George has been tenaciously campaigning against the Killeen Rodeo. Each year he has run anti-rodeo ads in the local newspapers, posted anti-rodeo signs and banners around town, and met with local authorities and rodeo sponsors of the Killeen Rodeo. At the last Killeen Rodeo, SHARK investigators went to Killeen to help George with this issue.
 
 
TigerAtCokeSHARK videotaped calves, steers and horses being shocked (in violation of a Killeen city ordinance), animals being hit and poked with steel rods and their tails twisted and dragged over steel bars.
 
In one event a small dog was traumatized when the box he was in was tossed around and dropped during a "comedy" segment. See video. 
 
This steer was injured in Salado as part of the Killeen Rodeo, thanks to George this won't happen anymore in Killeen.

With the SHARK video documentation George was able to convince the local authorities to conduct an investigation of the Killeen Rodeo.  With the investigation concluded, it has been declared that steer roping will no longer be a part of the Killeen rodeo and that no portion of the rodeo events may be held off-site from the Killeen Rodeo grounds, as was previously done with steer roping in nearby Salado, TX.

Furthermore, the previous stock contractor of the Killeen Rodeo - "Bad Company" (they've at least gotten their name right) has been replaced with a new stock contractor - Sammy Andrews Rodeo Company.

At future rodeos, Animal Control and the Police will be present and monitoring the events of the rodeo to insure that no animals are shocked, hit, or otherwise abused in any manner.  For more information, check out George's rodeo website www.saynotorodeo.org

 

Way to go, George, your perseverance paid off!