Breck’s rodeo is Summit’s shame

Another day at the rodeo, more injuries and more deaths. The cowboys who claim they love their animals continue to kill them. It was interesting to see the stories recently in the SDN. First there was a full page layout glorifying bull riding” (8 seconds of eternity on the back of a bull,” July 19). How uncomfortable do they have to make the bull feel, with belts around their sensitive areas, followed by sharp spurs in their sides, and if all else fails, electric shock? Just a week before the Calgary Stampede saw another death. “Zane Hankel wrestled a steer….when he released the steers horns it didn’t get up….officials quickly pulled out a black tarp to close off the scene and euthanize the animal” (Canada News 7/11/13). This week the SDN reported on July 22, “Dead steer, injured calif, at Cheyenne Frontier days….a steer died and a calif sustained a back injury…during roping contests…a second steer suffered a broken leg and was destroyed.”

Rodeos bring cruelty and death to innocent animals all in the name of entertainment. Our history is that of a mining town, not a cattle town. We have evolved into a community that promotes the theater, the NRO, film and jazz festivals, the international snow sculpture championship, art shows, and hiking, biking and running activities for all levels to challenge visitors and locals. Why would we ever associate ourselves with animal cruelty which seeks to subjugate, injure and kills innocent animals.

Roy Savarick

Breckenridge