Bull, 2 horses euthanized at Calgary Stampede

Three animals have died in just four days of the 2024 Calgary Stampede after being injured during chuckwagon racing and the rodeo, officials say.

In the latest incident, a bull was injured during a wrestling match on Monday and had to be euthanized.

According to the Calgary Stampede, the animal was examined on site by a veterinarian, who then decided to euthanize the animal.

Stampede officials had no information about what happened but called it “a very unusual and unfortunate incident.”

“We are committed to developing our programs to minimize risks,” the company said in an email statement.

Stampede officials also confirmed the death of an outrider horse that was injured during the chuckwagon competition on July 6.

“The nature and severity of the injury were not determined until the animal left the track, at which time medical assistance was immediately dispatched,” the Calgary Stampede said in a statement.

The horse, which was part of Chance Thomson’s team, was thoroughly examined and ultimately the decision was made to put the horse to sleep.

Stampede officials said another horse, a member of Danny Ringuette’s team, was injured in an incident that interfered with the carriage during the sixth leg on July 5.

“Immediate medical assistance was dispatched. After consultation with the veterinarian, the humane decision was made to euthanize the horse,” officials said.

‘Very difficult situations’

Stampede officials expressed their condolences to the families of Thomson and Ringuette for their losses.

On Wednesday morning, Stampede President Will Osler was a guest on CTV Morning Live Calgary to share his thoughts.

“These are very difficult situations and the Stampede is thinking of the families,” Osler said.

“The community is very supportive of the Stampede this year, as we will see later. People come from all over the world to experience all the things they can at the Stampede, including interacting with the animals.

“We appreciate their support and strive to mitigate the risks associated with these activities and will continue to do so in the future.”

The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS), which has long opposed the Calgary Stampede rodeo events, said the deaths of the bull and horses illustrate exactly why the competition should end.

VHS reported in a press release Tuesday that the latest death occurred after Stetson Jorgensen’s run in the steer wrestling event.

According to the report, Jorgensen twisted the animal’s neck backward, causing the bull to fall to the ground and “remain stiff and motionless.”

Shortly after the incident, the agency also learned about Thomson’s lead horse.

“We received an anonymous report from a member of the public who attended the event on Saturday. They said they saw the horses crash into a fence after the rider fell out and that one of the horses appeared visibly injured,” Emily Pickett, VHS campaign manager, said in an email.

“The Stampede coverage didn’t show that heat in question, but we know that one driver, Kirk Sutherland, failed to make any time limits in that heat.”

VHS says it has contacted the Calgary Stampede about both incidents, but has not yet received a response.

Prior to media requests on Tuesday, the Stampede had not released any information about the animals’ deaths.

On Tuesday evening, the Calgary Humane Society posted the following statement on its Facebook page:

“Calgary Humane Society is an animal welfare organization and a law enforcement agency, as opposed to an advocacy or activist agency like Animal Justice. However, for many years, Calgary Humane Society has made it clear to the Calgary Stampede team that we are fundamentally opposed to the use of animals in entertainment, including the high-risk events of the Calgary Stampede,” the statement said.

“Our Animal Protection and Investigations Division is mandated to enforce the Alberta Animal Protection Act within the jurisdiction of Calgary. This legislation prohibits causing or permitting animals to be in distress. However, distress is exempt in reasonable and generally accepted practices of animal care, management and husbandry, hunting, fishing, slaughter and pest control. The Calgary Stampede events are considered to be included in these distress exemptions. Furthermore, the public interest is a fundamental premise for prosecution. It is difficult to argue for the public interest when these events are sold out and broadcast nationally.

“Animal Justice is welcome to take any action they deem appropriate if they feel that the Calgary Humane Society’s enforcement department is not taking the action they would like to see. As an agency run and staffed by legal professionals operating out of the Province of Ontario, they may have a competing view on the interpretation of the applicable Alberta laws that we have enforced for decades. If they are so inclined and disagree with our assessment, they are welcome to file a private prosecution.

“The Calgary Humane Society team is saddened by the deaths of animals at the Calgary Stampede. Every year, our director asks that the Calgary Stampede end events that endanger the lives of animals so that all living beings can have an enjoyable Stampede. However, every year we are informed by the Calgary Stampede that this will not happen until people stop buying tickets.

“The best thing people can do if they want to see change is to voice their concerns directly to the Calgary Stampede or write a letter to their MLA to encourage a change in the law.”