In a matter of weeks, Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield expects an ordinance which would effectively outlaw rodeos in the city to come up for a vote.
The possibility of banning rodeos has been floating around City Hall for nearly three years. Blumenfield told KNX News’ Craig Fiegener it’s time to act for the sake of animal welfare.
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“At rodeos, there are a lot of ways that animals are tortured using electric prods, using sharpened spurs, using a variety of instruments,” he said. “We'll look back on this just like we look back on bullfighting.”
He pointed out that many other cities already have laws on the books prohibiting or restricting rodeos, including Pasadena and Irvine.
A Pittsburgh ordinance adopted in 1992 was the model for the draft ordinance approved by an L.A. City Council committee last year, which would ban the use of “inhumane implements” including electric prods and spurs at rodeos.
The measure has been pending a full council vote since December.
The exact language of the ordinance is still being worked out, but Blumenfield said it wouldn’t affect equestrian events or any games at the 2028 L.A. Olympics.
If the ordinance is passed, it would impact the Professional Bull Riders event currently scheduled for February 2024 at the Crypto.com Arena.
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