IDA Supports Inmate's Request for Cancellation of Prison Rodeo

Mill Valley, Calif. - In Defense of Animals, an animal protection organization with more than 80,000 members nationwide sent a letter to Pittsburg County Court Clerk Linda Price Williams in support of inmate Michael C. Washington's request to cancel the Oklahoma State Prison Rodeo. 

IDA points out that prisoners--many of whom are incarcerated for murder and other violent crimes and are likely to have a history of animal abuse--should not be allowed to torment and abuse horses, cows, and calves.

Animal abuse is closely associated with family violence. A number of studies have found that 71 to 83 percent of women entering domestic violence shelters reported that their partners also abused or killed the family pet. A New Jersey study of 53 families under the authority of the child welfare agency looked at the co-occurrence of child abuse and animal abuse. Researchers found animal abuse in 88 percent of the families in which there was physical abuse of children.

Rodeos are violent events. In the notorious calf-roping event, cowboys demonstrate their ability to rope and tie up four- to five-month-old baby calves in the shortest amount of time. Handlers prod them, twist and yank their tails, and then release calves from pens. The frightened animals run from the gate at speeds of up to twenty-seven miles per hour, are then lassoed by the neck, often snapping their heads back as they come to an abrupt stop. Sometimes they are jerked over backwards. They are then slammed to the ground and have their legs tied.

"These acts are inherently cruel and encourage violent behavior and sadistic treatment of animals by inmates," said Program Coordinator Kristie Phelps. "We hope that for the sake of animals and inmate rehabilitation, you will abolish this cruel event."

IDA's letter to Clerk Price Williams follows.

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August 26, 2004

Pittsburg County Court Clerk Linda Price Williams
Courthouse
P.O. Box 460
McAlester, OK 74502

Dear Clerk Linda Price Williams:

I am writing on behalf of the 80,000 members of In Defense of Animals to urge you to end the Oklahoma State Prison Rodeo. We support measures by inmate Michael C. Washington to stop the Oklahoma State Prison Rodeo, but for different reasons altogether. Certainly no one would disagree that violent criminals should be prohibited from inflicting any sort of suffering. However by having inmates take part in a rodeo, the State of Oklahoma is encouraging it. The event gives inmates-40 percent of whom are imprisoned for violent crimes-the right to torment and abuse frightened animals in front of a cheering audience.

Experts, including Federal Bureau of Investigation profiler Robert K. Ressler, have proved that a high percentage of violent criminals have records of abusing animals. It is reckless to foster this violence, especially since many inmates will one day be released back into society.

Animal abuse is closely associated with family violence. A number of studies have found that 71 to 83 percent of women entering domestic violence shelters reported that their partners also abused or killed the family pet. A New Jersey study of 53 families under the authority of the child welfare agency looked at the co-occurrence of child abuse and animal abuse. Researchers found animal abuse in 88 percent of the families in which there was physical abuse of children. 
Rodeos are violent events. In order to agitate the broncos to make them buck, handlers poke electric prods and often slap or kick them. Then, handlers tighten the "bucking strap," a leather strap that is fastened tightly below the animal's rib cage. In steer-wrestling, while one person, the "hazer," keeps the steer running in a straight line, a second mounted cowboy chases the steer, then grabs him by the horns and forcibly twists the steer's neck and slams him to the ground. 
In the notorious calf-roping event, cowboys demonstrate their ability to rope and tie up four- to five-month-old baby calves in the shortest amount of time. Handlers prod them, twist and yank their tails, and then release calves from pens. The frightened animals run from the gate at speeds of up to twenty-seven miles per hour, are then lassoed by the neck, often snapping their heads back as they come to an abrupt stop. Sometimes they are jerked over backwards. They are then slammed to the ground and have their legs tied.

These acts are inherently cruel and encourage violent behavior and sadistic treatment of animals by inmates. We hope that for the sake of animals and inmate rehabilitation, you will abolish this cruel event. 

Respectfully yours,



Kristie Phelps
Program Coordinator