Rodeo officials try to calm safety concerns...in China

Organizers of a rodeo at the Bird's Nest Stadium in October have refused to bow to pressure from animal rights campaigners to cancel the show. The eight-day extravaganza is part of a cultural exchange program between China and the United States, yet critics say it is entertainment based on animal cruelty. "In one event at the rodeo, a running calf is suddenly (lassoed and) pulled up by a rider. This can break the frightened calf's neck," Qin Xiaona, head of the Capital Animal Welfare Association (CAWA), said on Tuesday. She argued that the rodeo will not represent the culture of the US West and has been organized purely to generate profits. The association is among 68 Chinese and six international animal rights organizations that have written to protest about the show, which is scheduled to run at the Bird's Nest - officially called the National Stadium - from Oct 3 to 10. Guo Tiefu, a spokesman for US organizers Rodeo China, on Tuesday told China Daily the event will be staged as planned. Guo said the rodeo is a legitimate use of animals in sport, along with most other organized equestrian events worldwide...more

A clear case of animal rights vs. animal wongs.

Thanks Mr. Absher.