June 13, 2025
A Load of Bull
Professional Bull Riders (PBR) are returning to town and the problems with their circus of cruelty remain the same as last year.
PBR describes a bull’s reaction to the rider and tightened flank strap as talent, athleticism and desire to buck. A 2008 study identifies “excitability” as a desired trait when breeding bulls for competition. Excitability could also be described as how strongly the bull reacts to negative stimulus, like a foreign object on their back and a rope wrapped around their belly.
A bull has no desire to compete, in fact, people have gathered in these arenas to cheer at a creature who is stressed and agitated.
PBR also claims that it’s extremely rare that a bull is injured as a result of a performance.
However, PBR’s stock contractor application includes a condition for assumption of risk that is written as follows: “Applicant acknowledges that bull riding and other western lifestyle events, including bucking bull events, is and has always been an extremely dangerous activity… These risks include (but are not limited to) INJURY TO APPLICANT OR RELATED PARTIES’ (INCLUDING ITS LIVESTOCK’S) MUSCULAR, NERVE OR SKELETAL SYSTEMS INCLUDING CONTUSIONS, PARALYSIS, SPRAINS, AND FRACTURES…” and the list goes on.
For marketing, PBR will say injury to a bull is rare. For legal purposes, stock contractors acknowledge that bull riding is an extremely dangerous activity for the bull and waive PBR of responsibility for the animal’s well-being.
Bulls are not only exposed to dangers in competition, but also are more likely to suffer future health complications. A 2017 study showed that bulls who buck are more likely to develop horn and sinus disorders and musculoskeletal disorders than their non-bucking counterparts.
Bull riding is an activity that forces bulls into a state of distress and risks the animal’s well-being for profit and entertainment — the event does not belong in Ottawa.
Tonight is the eve of the event and I’m personally happy to see that there are hundreds of unsold tickets for the show. It seems like Ottawa has voted with its wallet and sent a clear message — bull riding is not wanted in our community.
Sara Barnoski
Manager: Advocacy