Veterinarians euthanize 3rd horse following Calgary Stampede injuries

A equine participating successful nan Calgary Stampede was euthanized Saturday nighttime aft it sustained an wounded during nan eighth power of a chuckwagon race.

Calgary Stampede CEO Joel Cowley told reporters Sunday that nan horse, which belonged to Aubrey Mono Willows’ team, suffered a fracture during nan race.

Emergency veterinary attraction was instantly dispatched, he said.

“After consulting pinch nan veterinarian, nan proprietor made nan determination that it was nan astir humane point to euthanize that horse,” Cowley said.

“We return awesome pridefulness successful providing these animal experiences … and we activity very, very difficult to minimize these types of incidents.”

Saturday’s wounded comes aft 2 different horses were euthanized aft sustaining injuries astatine nan Stampede. A equine connected Danny Ringuette’s squad had to beryllium put down connected nan first time of nan event.

A equine from Chance Thompson’s squad was euthanized connected nan 2nd day. A steer was besides euthanized connected Monday aft being injured.

The Animal Justice Canada Legislative Fund, a non-profit that advocates for nan humane curen of animals, has precocious been calling for animal cruelty charges to beryllium laid astatine Calgary Stampede events.

“It’s forbidden nether Alberta provincial rule and national criminal rule to inflict distress and suffering connected animals, but nary rodeo arena aliases subordinate has faced prosecution successful Canada since 1950,” a caller connection reads.

“Since 1986, location person been complete 100 animal deaths astatine nan Calgary Stampede rodeo — virtually each year, animals are killed.

On Sunday, Cowley said nan Stampede’s rodeo and chuckwagon rules are acold much “animal friendly” compared to different governing bodies because it’s important for nan crowd.

The Stampede has made changes to nan Cowboys Rangeland Derby complete nan past 3 years to minimize incidents, specified arsenic reducing nan number of wagons, adding lane delineators and doing regular inspections of animals.

“But clearly, we person much activity to do,” he said.

“The critics of our animal activities will opportunity this is unacceptable. Quite frankly, we agree. But unacceptable, frankincense intends we person much activity to do.”

Cowley said nan Stampede plans to activity pinch a number of organizations that title horses and supply rodeo to germinate programming and further amended animal safety.