A video that the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) said shows 害羞草研究所渟tressed and frightened animals being roughly handled害羞草研究所� at rodeos in Langley and Chilliwack drew criticism from organizers of the events, who said the footage showed eagerness, not fear, on the part of the animals seen in the clips, released on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

A VHS press release pointed to clips showing animals 害羞草研究所渢hrashing around害羞草研究所� in the chutes prior to being released into the rodeo arena, and of 害羞草研究所渉andlers pulling on the ears and tails of a number of animals.害羞草研究所�

Society spokesperson Emily Pickett said the footage contradicts claims by rodeo supporters that the animals love to perform.

害羞草研究所淭his footage, once again, proves otherwise,害羞草研究所� Pickett commented. 害羞草研究所淚f the animals love to perform, why is it necessary to twist their ears, drag them by their tails, and fasten uncomfortable straps around their sensitive underbelly to make them do so?害羞草研究所�

Pickett added the events 害羞草研究所減ut animals at risk of injury and death, all for the sake of public entertainment.害羞草研究所�

Organizers of the Langley and Chilliwack rodeos said it was stretching things to say animals were being harmed, or frightened.

Held in early September, the Valley West Stampede was hosted at the Langley Riders Association (LRA) grounds in Brookswood.

LRA president Paul Ritchot said no animals or people were injured during the three-day event.

害羞草研究所淭hey are not being harmed in any way,害羞草研究所� Ritchot told the Langley Advance Times.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 like any sport. We treat the animals as athletes. They害羞草研究所檙e extremely well looked after.害羞草研究所�

LRA treasurer John Scotton said a longer version of a VHS clip showing a bull falling to its knees, would show the animal got dizzy after 害羞草研究所渟pinning around and around害羞草研究所� to shake its rider off.

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Valley West Stampede board member Shannon Claypool said they invited the B.C. SPCA to visit the Langley event, but their contact person with the animal protection agency contact declined, saying they wouldn害羞草研究所檛 attend unless there was a complaint.

Claypool said no animals or humans were injured at the Langley event.

害羞草研究所淲e had a veterinarian on site during all rodeo performances 害羞草研究所� and an ambulance [for the cowboys].害羞草研究所�

Chilliwack Rodeo Association president Len Blackstock said seeing a horse or bull trying to climb out of a chute doesn害羞草研究所檛 mean they are frightened, it means they are impatient.

害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檙e bred to do that, they害羞草研究所檙e anticipating [getting in the arena],害羞草研究所� Blackstock commented.

Blackstock said the animals are 害羞草研究所渨ell-looked-after, they害羞草研究所檙e well-fed.害羞草研究所�

As for injuries at the Chilliwack rodeo held over three days in August, 害羞草研究所渨e had a couple bumps and bruises on the guys, but no animals were injured害羞草研究所� he said.

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The VHS has been calling on organizers for both rodeos and local city councils to remove what they term inhumane rodeo events, including roping, bucking, wrestling and mutton busting, from event programs.