People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ Dan Shannon sent a letter to Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry in August asking the governor to abolish the state’s long-running prison rodeo.
The prison rodeo has been held in Oklahoma for the past 63 years and features inmates engaging in a number of event such as bull riding and cow milking.
According to Shannon, the prison rodeo encourages inmates to abuse animals,
A prison is the last place in the world that should be encouraging violence. It is time to put cruel events like rodeos out to pasture.
A communications director for the governor replied that PETA’s request was “silly” and that, “The governor will not consider stopping this Oklahoma tradition.”
Source:
Request To Stop Oklahoma Prison Rodeo Called “Silly”. Associated Press, August 22, 2003.