If you ever decide to attend a rodeo, be leary of bringing
cameras, especially of the video sort, along with you. They are quite careful, though not so much at larger ones like the
Calgary Stampede, about
animal rights activists.
It would seem to me that there are really
valid concerns as to the welfare of the animals at such things. A lot of livestock are injured, even killed, at these events. While it can be neat to watch, I guess, it just grates on my nerves at times that humans can find such
delight in watching the manipulation of
innocent creatures for our entertainment.
Of course I say this after having watched the entire Calgary Stampede on television. Somewhat
hypocritical, but I still don't condone it. I've a fascination with cowboys in general, but I really doubt that they spent a lot of time
roping calves for something to do. (Or maybe they did, what do I know?)
My father once went to a rodeo in
Alberta with my uncle and brought along the video camera. The announcer had to make a point of telling everyone that he was videotaping it for the kids, or it probably would have been
confiscated or stolen/destroyed by someone. I guess they really get a lot of complaints and the like for what they do..
shocking.