Even as Los Angeles weighs banning rodeos with cowboys on horseback facing off against animal activists at LA City Hall... NYC is waging its own battle against this cruel animal torture that tries to pass for entertainment. TheirTurn's Donny Moss brings us a loud and raucous protest outside famed Madison Square Garden. Rodeo customers in cowboy hats walk the gauntlet as animal activists, carrying signs and shouting into bullhorns, call BS on this violent spectacle. "Only bullies ride bulls," said one sign. Oddly, many of those walking in laughed and mocked the protesters. What's funny about animal abuse, responded one activist, suggesting mechanical bulls are available for those who are hell bent on seeing a large animal squirm and writhe in pain. We invite any of the customers or Madison Square Garden officials on any time to respond to the protesters.

In 2020, New York State Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan) was joined by advocates from across the state at a press conference in support of her legislation (A.8554) to prohibit the use of cruel acts in rodeos, including calf roping and the use of electric prods, flank or bucking straps and sharpened or fixed spurs. The advocates also called on Madison Square Garden (MSG), which receives a lifetime property tax abatement to cancel these cruel events.

However, it appears rodeo events are planned for Madison Square Garden in January of 2024. We invite rodeo organizers and Madison Square Garden officials on at any time to comment on the protesters complaints.

“Rodeos are modern day gladiator games – blood sport masquerading as entertainment,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal. “Make no mistake about it: bull riding and other rodeo events are not family-friendly entertainment. Animals used in rodeos are forced to travel city to city to put on a show that revolves around humans terrorizing them until they act out of terror, pain and exhaustion. Many animals are injured, and some are killed as a result. I’ve introduced legislation to prohibit animal abuse in the context of rodeos. Outside the context of the rodeo, events such as these would easily be classified as cruelty.”

Longtime animal advocates from NYCLASS (New Yorkers for Clean, Liveable Streets), SHARK (SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness), Red Robin Song Animal Sanctuary, Horseracing Wrongs, Animal Cruelty Exposure Fund and Dr. Peggy W. Larson, DVM, MS, JD, a former rodeo veterinarian now advocating against rodeos, have expressed support for Rosenthal’s legislation.