Over the years PETA has made a huge production out of attacking rodeo and its participants but this is over the top. Below is a post released on FoxNews.com
Exclusive: PETA Going After DWTS Bull-Rider Ty Murray
When he’s done on "Dancing With the Stars" will Ty Murray be the next spokesman for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals? It seems unlikely given that he makes a living romping around rodeos, but the animal rights activists are already digging in their claws in the hope that Murray’s fellow fox trotters slap him around a bit.
The animal-unfriendly cowboy might be breathing easier now that Belinda Carlisle, who starred in PETA’s first-ever "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" ad, has been eliminated— but the Go-Go was just one of several in the PETA posse on the show this season. Holly Madison and Steve-O have each starred in their own anti-fur ads, and Denise Richards once wrote to PETCO on PETA's urging the company to end its sales of live animals. Even judge Carrie Ann Inaba has stepped up to underscore the importance of spaying and neutering.
"Maybe Murray should avoid mentioning the fact that he makes his living off the broken backs of animals— but then again, considering his history of eight-second rides, Murray might not have much more time left on the show to worry about it," a rep for PETA told Tarts in an exclusive statement on Thursday.
While I’m not going to take anything away from the importance of spaying and neutering your pets or being responsible pet owners I do have a problem with the last paragraph of this statement. Or at least the “makes his living off the broken backs of animals”. Come on! Broken backs? PETA needs to pull their collective heads out of the sand and review their facts before they open their mouths.
In the IPRA rule book it specifically address the treatment of all animals involved in rodeo. Their rules on animals can be found at: http://www.iprarodeo.com/2007IPRARuleBook.doc
“Animal use is deeply ingrained in our society, benefiting the health of people, supporting commerce and enhancing our enjoyment of life. International Professional Rodeo Association acknowledges the valuable role of animals in rodeo and our responsibility to provide a proper environment for the animals in competition, in transport and at rest. Through example and education, we strive to emulate professional standards of animal handling and to demonstrate sensitivity to the perceptions of the public.”
The PRCA, WPRA, and many other rodeo associations all have rules very similar to these in their rule books. The rodeo associations, cowboys, cowgirls, and stock contractors have a great deal of time and money invested in their animals. They are going to do everything, within their power, to insure their animals are properly cared for.
My message to PETA: Take a few minutes and do a yahoo or google search of animal handling policies before you make a comment like the one you made to FoxNew. Ignorance is bliss but stupidity is uncalled for in this day and age when information is so readily accessible.
