TUCSON, Ariz. (Feb. 24, 2025) — In Defense of Animals and Tucson-based Supporting and Promoting Ethics for the Animal Kingdom (SPEAK) took action against the 100th year of animal abuse at the Tucson Rodeo on finals day, Sunday, February 23. About 20 activists were present with signs, banners, and megaphones. 25 activists gathered at the Tucson Rodeo grounds to stand against this cruel and outdated event on its opening day, February 15. 

“Tucson Rodeo just celebrated its 100th year of animal abuse,” said Brittany Michelson, Campaign Specialist for Captive Animals at In Defense of Animals. “We showed up in opposition to this cruel and outdated ‘tradition’ and urged the city of Tucson to end the rodeo. It is absolutely unacceptable to torment innocent animals for entertainment and profit.” 

The rodeo is abusive to animals, traumatizing and injuring them in front of a loud crowd of spectators. They are forced to perform with the use of devices such as spurs, straps, ropes, and electroshock devices. Animals used in the rodeo are exempted from Animal Welfare Act protections.

Over 16,450 people have signed In Defense of Animals’ alert urging the Tucson City Council to ban electric shock devices.

Animal handlers at Tucson Rodeo attempt to hide devices and abuse behind fences and clothing. When workers are caught shocking animals, Tucson Rodeo claims only to shock “problem animals,” or in “special circumstances,” despite evidence of routine abuse. Attempts to conceal and downplay the abuse reveal the rodeo is aware its animal mistreatment is unacceptable to the public.

"The rodeo relies on the traditional aspect of the event to justify its continuance, as if that's all that matters,” said Gary Vella, President of SPEAK. “However, tradition becomes a meaningless and truly irrelevant defense when it involves the abuse and/or oppression of other beings. To ignore the inherent animal abuse in rodeo for the sake of protecting a tradition is tantamount to ignoring child abuse because it was perpetuated by the child's parent. Many unacceptable practices once touted as traditional (e.g., slavery, male-only voting) continued unabated until decent people finally took a stand against them."

Members of the public are encouraged to oppose the Tucson Rodeo and take action: https://www.idausa.org/campaign/farmed-animal/latest-news/end-the-use-of-torment-devices-at-the-tucson-rodeo

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Photos:

• 2025 https://bit.ly/TucsonRodeo25
• 2024 https://bit.ly/TucsonRodeo24
• 2023 https://bit.ly/TucsonRodeo23
• 2022 https://bit.ly/TucsonCruelty

Videos:

• Tucson Rodeo 2019 - roped, injured bull who can't stand up; footage by SHARKonline.org
• Tucson Rodeo 2019 - downed bull carted out of the arena; footage by SHARKonline.org
• Tucson Rodeo 2019 - manager falsely claims no animal injuries

Contacts: 

In Defense of Animals, Brittany Michelson, brittany@idausa.org, 928-420-0727

SPEAK, Gary Vella, 520-981-7416 (no text)

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization based in Marin, California, with over 250,000 supporters and a 40-year history of fighting for animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org/endcowboycruelty

Tucson-based SPEAK (Supporting and Promoting Ethics for the Animal Kingdom) is proud to be Arizona's first animal rights organization. The organization addresses animal protection issues on every level: local, statewide, regional, national, and international. SPEAK’s mission to create a more cruelty-free world for animals involves a twofold approach: educational efforts coupled with active resistance to any form of animal abuse. www.facebook.com/speaktucson