Call to Action - Rodeo ban fight not over - saboteurs poised to vote against ban at next vote

Ban the Rodeo Rally 12/5/23

spcaLA Applauds Los Angeles City Council Vote to Ban Rodeos and particularly thanks Councilmember Blumenfield for his efforts and dedication to this reform. I was honored to be asked to speak at both the rally and before the council.

But the fight is not over yet. There will still be a chance to sabotage this effort when the ordinance is actually drafted and presented to the council for another vote. Councilmembers Monica Rodriguez and Kevin De Leon are still vocally against this measure, are still insisting tripping horses etc., is a cultural thing, and will not be satisfied with the exemption language that was adopted at their request. It is possible that they will lead an effort to undo what was passed yesterday. (Exceptions for equestrian and cultural events, as long as riders do not participate in activities that physically “take down” an animal, rope an animal, or attempt to ride a bucking animal, i.e. bareback bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, and steer wrestling, and or course violation existing laws.)

Look, this is about greed and nothing else. No culture wants to be associated with violence and gratuitous cruelty. What an insulting rationale. Like dogfighters who protest that their pet dogs are treated like royalty, rodeo riders would never subject their own horses to the horrendous treatment of the horse performers. The difference - is the fighting dogs and the rodeo horses are just tools to earn money while providing "entertainment".

    "Racism, economic deprival, dog fighting and cock fighting, bullfighting and RODEOS (emphasis added) are cut from the same fabric:  violence.  Only when we have become nonviolent towards all life will we have learned to live well ourselves."

                --Cesar Chavez, UNITED FARM WORKERS, from a 12/26/90 letter to ACTION FOR ANIMALS

spcaLA asks animal welfare advocates to contact their Council Members, see below,  in support of the ban. A successful rodeo ban would add Los Angeles to a growing list of cities and countries like San Francisco and Pasadena, as well as Germany, the Netherlands and Brazil, where rodeo has been outlawed.

Council District 1 – Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, Councilmember.Hernandez@lacity.org, 213-473-7001

Council District 2 – Councilmember Paul Krekorian, Councilmember.Krekorian@lacity.org, 213-473-7002 

Council District 3 – Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, Councilmember.Blumenfield@lacity.org, 213-473-7003 

Council District 4 – Councilmember Nithya Raman, Councilmember.Raman@lacity.org, 213-473-7004 

Council District 5 – Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, Councilmember.Yaroslavsky@lacity.org, 213-473-7005

Council District 6 – Councilmember Imelda Padilla, Councilmember.Padilla@lacity.org, 213-473-7006 

Council District 7 – Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, Councilmember.Rodriguez@lacity.org, 213-473-7007 

Council District 8 – Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Councilmember.Harris-Dawson@lacity.org, 213-473-7008

 Council District 9 – Councilmember Curren D. Price, Jr., Councilmember.Price@lacity.org, 213-473-7009 

Council District 10 – Councilmember Heather Hutt, Councilmember.Hutt@lacity.org, 213-473-7010 

Council District 11 – Councilmember Traci Park, Councilmember.Park@lacity.org, 213-473-7011 

Council District 12 – Councilmember John Lee, Councilmember.Lee@lacity.org, 213-473-7012 

Council District 13 – Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, Councilmember.Soto-Martinez@lacity.org, 213-473-7013 

Council District 14 – Councilmember Kevin de León, councilmember.kevindeleon@lacity.org, 213-473-7014 

Council District 15 – Councilmember Tim McOsker, Councilmember.McOsker@lacity.org, 213-473-7015

 

Desecrated longhorn steer found in Oklahoma in advance of Oklahoma state vs. Texas Longhorns game

In a horrific and unsettling turn of events, the body of a desecrated longhorn steer was discovered this morning on the front steps of an Oklahoma State University fraternity in Stillwater, OK. As disturbing images of the steer circulate, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) condemns these acts and calls for a thorough investigation by the police department, the University’s Office of Student Support and Conduct, and the National Interfraternity Council (IFC) so that there are meaningful consequences for those responsible.

Many are speculating that this disgusting act of animal cruelty and disrespect for living beings may be in response to an upcoming football game between OSU and The University of Texas. UT’s mascot is a longhorn steer.

Regardless if this is because of a football game, “Texas Hate Week” or something more nefarious, this is a criminal act and must not be brushed aside.

Also – do we need a “hate week’? Do we need institutionalized vandalism?

There is only 1 correct answer….

Donate SMART, support LOCAL CHARITIES, and create HEALTHY communities

As we are again coming upon the busiest fund-raising season of the year, I urge you to donate locally. Local papers are again full of advertisements from out-of-state animal charities who do not inform you that they are taking your funds which you donated to help local animals, and using them out of state as they wish.

How many of you reading this did not know that the aspca is not a national umbrella organization that funnels contributions back to other states and communities by zip code as do actual national charities? How many of you would donate to a New York organization if you knew it was neither your local spca who responds to your needs and protects your animals, nor even affiliated with your local spca? Based upon angry calls we receive from donors that feel duped, I would say many of you!

spcas throughout the country are individual legal entities and not chapters of any mother organization. Yet aspca spends tens of millions of dollars annually on television, full page ads and other fundraising outlets which omit that significant fact. If you knew that fact and intended to donate there – ok. But – what if you didn't?  How do you feel about the fact that your hard-earned funds meant for your local animal shelter were instead spent in New York to support expenses of a New York organization.  A CBS news expose' discussed some of these issues. 

Donors everywhere often feel cheated and upset to learn that they donated to the wrong organization and that their gifts neither contributed to programs nor helped needy pets in their own communities. What would happen to your spcaLA and to our vulnerable populations here if a lot of generous people made that mistake?

It is essential for you, your lawyers and estate planners to research reputable existing charities and locate those that serve the constituency and community that you wish to help. Determine if that charity provides the specific service that you wish to fund in the place you wish to fund it. Only then should you donate. Frequently, your local charity may also be providing international relief as well or is collaborating with one that is which obviates the need to seek another charity.

Giving locally also helps to strengthen the community in which you live by creating jobs, bolstering the economy and enabling the community to thrive. Stronger communities result in stronger cities, states and countries. In other words, our ability to help others improves with our own increased strength and solvency. It is especially true where the philanthropic entities are filling gaps left by the government and the for-profit sector. If the reputable local nonprofits fail - there will be no relief for their dependent, human or otherwise.

Charity begins at home. It is only when we stand strong that we can lift others.

 

SUPREME COURT SIDES WITH CALIFORNIA AND UPHOLDS PROPOSITION 12!

Prop 12 ballot photo 

In 2018, California voters passed Prop 12 which banned the sale of pork products inside California, even when produced outside the state of California if the sellers did not comply with California husbandry standards and if those outside sellers knew or should have known that the meat came from a breeding pig that was confined in a cruel manner. This was, of course challenged by The National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation. The Supreme Court agreed with california.

California voters were determined to lead the way for the nation to improve conditions for all animals regardless of their classification of wild or domestic, or their alleged purpose i.e. food, pet or entertainment. In fact, in 2022 Californians enacted Senate Bill 1029, a law that recognizes the premise that human, animal and environmental health are all interdependent and connected. In other words, keeping animals, humans and the environment healthy is necessary to keep each and all of us healthy. SB 1029 requires the creation of a one health program that establishes interagency and interdisciplinary coordination to ultimately do just that.

Although the Supreme Court was more focused on interstate commerce, preemption and other constitutional issues, it unknowingly gave another nod to Californians who understand that if we are humane to animals and keep them healthy, they will do the same for us.

There are still miles to go until we are there. But we will
get there one roadblock at a time.