The Bulls are Back in Town

By: Cody McCann

For the past three days, JQH Arena, usually reserved for University sporting events and major concert performances, has been filled with spectators of a different sport—Bull Riding. This year marks the second appearance of the PBR’s Built Ford Truck series on MSU’s campus.  

J.B. Mauney, Chris Shivers, and Luke Snider were among those who received top billing with another set of athletes—the bulls.  This event brings to mind a question for each individual to answer: should we be breeding and using animals for the purpose of entertainment? Some will say yes. Others will say no, but hopefully the reasons for these feelings are just.  In the case of bull riding, whether you do or do not find it entertaining to watch rider and bull compete in a very raw form, you may have some concerns about the welfare and management of the animals. 

According to the PBR’s own website, www.pbr.com/about/sportinfo/bulls.cfm:

1 bull sustains a minor injury at every 8 events;

1 bull will sustain a career ending injury at every 100 events;

4 bulls have been euthanized as a result from injuries sustained over the 960+ PBR events since 1992;

3 bulls have sustained life threatening injuries but were taken to large animal hospitals and lived extended periods of time – up to 2 years; and

A bull in the PBR has a .004% chance of sustaining one at an event.

Are those numbers acceptable? You tell me.  Comment below!

The PBR has an incentive to maintain good animal welfare due to the high value of the bulls. Each animal could range in value from $10,000 to well into the six figures.

Each animal receives 25-30 lb of grain a day along with 20 lb of high quality hay, receives vitamin shots on a regular basis, and a regularly subjected to health inspections.  Each stock contractor has a local vet on call for the bulls.

On the other side of the issue, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) both oppose this type of event.  The HSUS states, “[that it]opposes rodeos as they are commonly organized, since they typically cause torment and stress to animals; expose them to pain, injury, or even death; and encourage an insensitivity to and acceptance of the inhumane treatment of animals in the name of sport. Accordingly, we oppose the use of devices such as electric prods, sharpened sticks, spurs, flank straps, and other rodeo equipment that cause animals to react violently, and we oppose bull riding.” It then goes on to list many other rodeo events

So, when the next bull riding event comes to town, will you dawn your hat and boots to watch the cowboys take on the bulls?