On Friday, May 31, at the Riding on Faith Rodeo Summer Series in Bandera, Texas, two men were reportedly injured while riding bulls. According to local news outlets, one of the men—who was thrown from a bull and stepped on—later died from his injuries.

Humans can choose to risk their lives by participating in rodeos, but the animals they exploit are forced to do it.

Don’t Forget the True Victims of Rodeos: Animals

Rodeo performers have frequently been observed beating, kicking, and shocking normally docile bulls and other animals in holding pens, provoking their instinct to flee from the abuse. It’s no wonder they’re frantic by the time they’re released into an arena.

Many bulls forced to participate in rodeos have sustained fatal injuries, including broken backs and necks, and have experienced heart attacks or aneurysms. And even if they’re not killed during an event, they still often endure a vicious death: When they’re too old or worn out to continue being used for these shows, “retirement” often means a one-way trip to the slaughterhouse.

Rodeos are rubbish throwbacks to the days when cowhands amused themselves by tormenting animals. These abusive events are dangerous to bulls, horses, humans, and other animals. It’s 2024, and there are more civilized forms of entertainment that don’t harm a soul.

Never support rodeos, bull riding, or any other activity that exploits animals. If a rodeo comes to your town, you can speak up against it by writing letters to its sponsors, leafleting at the gate, or holding a demonstration.

You can contact PETA for help, too.

Want to do more for bulls exploited for entertainment?

Every year, thousands of these sensitive individuals endure a bloody death in bullrings across Spain. Compassionate people understand that bullfighting requires pointless, unjustifiable violence, and opposition to this cruel, bloody spectacle is growing both within Spain and around the world. It’s high time for the Spanish government to protect these animals. Please sign our petition to the country’s prime minister calling for a national ban on bullfights and bull runs:

The post Bandera ‘Riding on Faith’ Rodeo Sees a Black Friday as Bull Rider Dies From Injuries appeared first on PETA.