Apply and enforce

Section 10.02.070 of our animal control code prohibits beating, tormenting, cruelly ill-treating, or otherwise abusing any animal.

That language already describes what happens in a rodeo.

A flank strap is cinched around an animal's abdomen specifically to cause enough discomfort to provoke bucking – that's torment. Spurs are raked into an animal's flank to increase that bucking – that's beating. Electric prods used to move animals through the chute – that's abuse.

When a competitor grabs a running steer by the horns and forces him to the ground, or ropes a calf and slams her down to bind her legs, our code already has language for that too: combat between animals and humans.

The tools and techniques used in rodeo aren't some gray area our code fails to anticipate. They match this language almost word for word, but Section 10.02.070 has not been applied to rodeo practices.

Further, existing code does get specific about this exact kind of harm. Section 10.02.130, on performing animal exhibitions, prohibits inducing an animal to perform through pain-causing devices. That's exactly the protection rodeo animals need.

Unfortunately, 10.02.130 only applies to "wild animals." Our own code separately defines "domesticated animals" as horses, cows, sheep, so the one rule written specifically to stop this kind of harm excludes them.

The town already decided, in writing, that forcing an animal to perform through pain deserves a dedicated, enforceable rule. Chapter 10.03, the proposed ordinance to prohibit rodeo tools and techniques doesn't ask you to adopt a new value. It asks you to apply the existing law equally.

Here is a more detailed look.

In the Yucca Valley Code of Ordinances, under Title 10 Animals, Chapter 10.02 Animal Control, you’ll find Section 10.02.070: Animal Care.

Under that is (C)No person shall beat, cruelly ill treat, torment, overload, overwork, or otherwise abuse an animal, or cause, instigate, or permit any dogfight, cockfight, bullfight, or other combat between animals or between animals and humans.

We would like to introduce Chapter 10.03 Prohibited Tools and Techniques in Rodeo Events, including 10.03.030: Prohibited Conduct, under which is (a) No person shall use a spur, flank strap, rope, or prod, as defined in Section 10.03.020, on any animal in connection with a rodeo or rodeo-related event … (b) No person shall use their hands, arms, or body weight to grip, twist, torque, throw, or forcibly bring an animal to the ground by its horns, neck, head, or any other body part, in connection with a rodeo or rodeo-related event … .

"Spur" is defined as “any device, instrument, or attachment worn on or affixed to a rider's boot or footwear and designed or used to be pressed, dug, rolled, or otherwise applied against an animal's body to direct, urge, or provoke movement or behavior ... .

"Flank strap" is defined as any strap, rope, cord, or similar device placed around or across the flank, abdomen, or groin area of an animal and designed or used to encourage bucking, kicking, or other agitated movement … .

"Rope" is defined as “any lariat, lasso, rope, or similar restraining or capturing device thrown, cast, or applied around any part of an animal's body, including the neck, legs, or horns, for the purpose of catching, restraining, throwing, or tying the animal … .

"Prod" is defined as “any handheld or mechanical device, electric or otherwise, designed or used to strike, jab, shock, or apply force or stimulus to an animal's body for the purpose of directing, moving, or provoking the animal, regardless of voltage, current, or manner of contact … .

A flank strap is cinched tight around an animal's flank, the soft area between the hips and ribs, in order to provoke bucking. This is prohibited under torment in the existing code, 10.02.070(C). Its function is to cause discomfort severe enough to produce a violent physical reaction. It also falls under cruelly ill treat, since the device exists solely to inflict pain as a performance mechanism.

Spurs are raked or pressed into the animal's shoulders or flanks to increase bucking intensity. This is prohibited by beat (repeated, deliberate physical strikes) and cruelly ill treat. The tool is intended to cause pain to provoke behavior.

Prods are used to move or agitate animals, particularly in the chute before release. This is prohibited by beat and cruelly ill treat. An electric shock applied to force movement or reaction is an example of "otherwise abuse."

Catching a running or thrown animal by the neck with a taut rope produces a sudden, forceful stop. This is prohibited under torment. The animal experiences a violent physical shock and often distress/injury from the abrupt restraint.

In steer wrestling, a competitor grabs, twists, and forces a running steer to the ground by his horns/neck. This is prohibited by combat between animals and humans and cruelly ill treat.

In calf roping, a competitor throws a calf to the ground and binds his legs. The throw/take-down is prohibited under combat between animals and humans; the physical force involved in flipping and restraining a calf is also cruelly ill treat and torment.

In bull riding and bronc riding, the animal is confined in a chute, provoked with flank strap/spurs, then ridden while bucking. This is prohibited under torment, beat, and cruelly ill treat. The entire event is built around inducing distress as its purpose.

Chapter 10.03 Prohibited Tools and Techniques in Rodeo Events does for domesticated animals what 10.02.130: Performing Animal Exhibitions and Circuses already does for wild animals.

10.02.130: Performing Animal Exhibitions and Circuses (A) No person may sponsor, promote, train a wild animal to participate in, contribute to the involvement of a wild animal in, or attend as a spectator any activity or event in which any wild animal engages in unnatural behavior or is wrestled, fought, mentally or physically harassed, or displayed in such a way that the animal is abused or stressed mentally or physically or induced or encouraged to perform through the use of chemical, mechanical, electrical, or manual devices in a manner that will cause or is likely to cause physical injury or suffering.

In the existing code, “animal” is defined as “every nonhuman species of animal, both domestic and wild.”

“Domesticated animal” is defined as “an animal which has historically and commonly been tamed for the use of man (e.g., horses, cows, sheep, dogs, pigs, and cats).”

“Wild animal” is undefined.

In conclusion, animals used in rodeo technically have general protection under 10.02.070, but that general language has never been applied to rodeo tools and techniques. In the same way, 10.02.130 protects wild animals from induced-performance harm but does nothing for domesticated ones.