Seeking legal means to stop inhumane event
DENVER, Aug. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Colorado-based American Humane Association, the nation's voice for the protection of children and animals, said today that it is aggressively pursuing legal action to halt a scheduled rodeo on Sunday, Aug. 8 in Jefferson County, in which bulls are cruelly and painfully brought to the ground by grabbing their tails. A similar "Coleadero" rodeo event held in July resulted in the death of two animals with 11 others suffering from broken bones and other injuries, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
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"This is not an indictment of rodeos, but a plea to stop a cruel event that inflicts enormous pain and suffering on the animal," said American Humane vice president of Animal Protection, Dori Villalon. "We urge officials, residents of Jefferson County and people of Colorado who respect all animals to stand up to this barbaric notion of entertainment. We must say no. We can stop this and similar future events."
According to news reports, Jefferson County officials and law enforcement agencies have tried unsuccessfully to have the event cancelled for violating animal cruelty statutes. While organizers have already been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty counts, state law is both vague and ambiguous enough to not specifically prohibit the so-called "tail spinning" event from being held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
The American Humane Association has engaged counsel to pursue a legal injunction that would halt the event, and in the meantime is joining with virtually every other animal welfare organization in Colorado to urge Jefferson County to take all measures necessary to stop it.
About American Humane
Founded in 1877, the Denver-based American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals from abuse and neglect through public policy, education and services reaching a wide network of organizations and advocates. Programs include raising awareness about The Link® between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. The organization is also known for "No Animals Were Harmed,"® the end-credit disclaimer seen on film and TV productions. American Humane's farm animal welfare certification program, American Humane Certified™, is the nation's largest and most regarded independent standards and certification program. American Humane earned the Independent Charities of America's "Best in America" Seal of Approval. Learn more at www.americanhumane.org.
SOURCE American Humane Association
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