By John Di Leonardo
Revered throughout India, bovines are some of nature’s most peaceful herbivore; but at rodeos like the Professional Bull Riding league, which debuted at UBS Arena in Belmont, New York this past weekend, these gentle giants are abused in a bloodsport that regularly denies them food and water to weaken them ahead of competitions and forces them to buck out of sheer terror.
The United States of America’s federal Animal Welfare Act offers no protection to animals used for rodeos, and bulls often suffer deep internal organ bruising, bone fractures, ripped tendons and torn ligaments and muscles when they fight to rid a rider from their backs. When they’re too old or worn out to continue being used and abused, they are often sent to slaughter.
Rodeos are dangerous for humans, too. In March, a 24-year-old bull rider named Dylan Grant died after being trampled by a bull in Texas. And in January, a 22-year-old named Naveen Kumar was gored to death during jallikattu, a similar event on the other side of the world in India where participants try to grab the hump of frightened bulls.
Jallikattu was banned for a number of years in India because of its inherent cruelty and danger toward children and other participants; however, since jallikattu was permitted again in Tamil Nadu in 2017, at least 134 men and children, and 45 bulls have been killed. On January 16, 2025 alone, seven people, including six spectators, died at jallikattu events. During those past 3 days, three bulls also died.
The Town of Southampton on Long Island effectively banned rodeos by prohibiting the use of electric prods, flank straps, sharpened spurs, and other weapons necessary to force bulls to buck and be forced into submission. New York City is poised to do the same with New York City Council Intro 1255, proposed legislation to prohibit calf roping – where men mounted on horses lasso a frightened baby calf, throw them to the ground, and tie their legs together – and the use of electric prods and flank straps in connection with rodeos.
It’s too late to help the bulls suffering at UBS Arena right now, but it’s not too late for bulls scheduled to be terrorized at Madison Square Garden next January or for bulls tormented in jallikattu that same month.
For this week’s Anuvrat, or small vow, I invite readers to speak out against animal cruelty, especially cruelty toward bulls. If you’re in New York City, please contact your council member today and ask that they support Intro. 1255. If you’re in India, please contact PETA India to get involved in the fight against jallikattu. You can also help bovines by simply going vegan. Dairy production relies on the exploitation of cows, often involving forced impregnation, separation of calves, and eventual slaughter—making it inherently harmful to animals.
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John Di Leonardo is the founding director of Humane Long Island. He was previously the Senior Manager of Grassroots Campaigns and Animals in Entertainment Campaigns for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). He has a Master's degree in Anthrozoology from Canisius College. He also earned a graduate certificate in Jain Studies from the International School of Jain Studies (ISJS) in India. John can be reached at [email protected]. (Photo courtesy: John Di Leonardo)
