2022 Rodeo Legislation: Authors Needed

Editor,

Most legislators decide in Oct/Nov upon what bills to carry in the coming session. Here are four 2022 bills needing an author:

1) Amend state rodeo law, Penal Code 596.7, so as to require an on-site veterinarian at all rodeos– the current ”on call” option is not working, and animals are suffering needlessly.  Race tracks, horse shows, endurance rides all require on-site veterinarians. So should rodeos.

2) Ban ”tie-down” calf roping, allowing only ”breakaway” roping, as Rhode Island has done;

3) Ban the Mexican charreada’s brutal ”steer tailing” event (outlawed in Alameda & Contra Costa Counties in 1993);

4) Ban the rodeo’s non-sanctioned ”wild cow milking contest,” children’s ”mutton busting,” and all animal ”scrambles” - cruel and dangerous for all concerned.  Alameda County outlawed ”mutton busting” in 2019.

All legislators may be written c/o The State Capitol, Sacramento, CA  95814.

Let them hear from you!

–Eric Mills, Oakland