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BULLFIGHTING RODEOS AND TAIL DOCKING

Ever wonder why the bull rarely gets the bullfigher? Before the event the bull may be given laxatives which slows the animal down. Making matters worse, the bull's eyes may be also smeared with petroleum jelly so it cannot see clearly. This is sportsmanship?

In rodeos a horse or bull may not buck unless it is repeatedly shocked with a cattle prod which emits thousands of volts of electricity! If a cattle prod is not used the rodeo animal's tail may be pulled, twisted or bent to the point of almost breaking it to get the animal aggravated enough to start bucking once the gate to the shute is opened.

There are possibly many cruel events at a rodeo but one that may not get much attention is called "calf dressing". This is where men, women and even sometimes children chase a terrified calf, knock it down then put a pair of womens' panties over the animal's head. This is another admirable so-called sport.

"Tail docking" of cattle, primarily dairy cows, is when the animals' tails are tied in such a way so the circulation and blood to the tail is cut off. The tail then eventually actually falls off or becomes useless. Critics charge that "tail docking" of dairy cattle is done primarily as a matter of convenience so when the milking machines are hooked up the cows' swishing tails do not hit the farm workers in the face. Remember, a farm animal's tail is used to swat and chase away biting flies and other stinging, biting pests. Without the use of its tail a farm animal may suffer needlessly.

SUPPLEMENTAL SOURCES: SHOWING ANIMALS RESPECT AND KINDNESS (SHARK) JUNE 2004 and PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS (PETA) SUMMER 2004

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