September 28, 2000

The Honorable M.J. "Mike" Foster Jr.
Louisiana State Capitol
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9004

Dear Governor Foster:

Violent criminals should be prohibited from inflicting any sort of suffering. But Louisiana’s Angola Prison Rodeo encourages it. The event gives inmates—87 percent of whom are imprisoned for murder or other violent crimes—the right to torment and abuse tired, frightened cattle and horses in front of cheering crowds.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' (PETA's) more than 700,000 members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are requesting, on behalf of decent citizens nationwide, that the state of Louisiana abolish this annual celebration of animal abuse.

Experts, including Federal Bureau of Investigation profiler Robert K. Ressler, have proved that a high percentage of violent criminals have records of abusing animals. It is folly to foster this violence, especially since many inmates will one day be released back into society.

Rodeo promoters are experts at hiding animals’ injuries and deaths. However, the small percentage that did get media mention since 1995 include the following: in Spokane, a frightened bull escaped from a rodeo and was shot; in Livermore, a horse broke his neck; in San Antonio, a horse snapped his spine and, paralyzed, dragged himself by his front legs across the stadium before collapsing; in Ottawa, a horse broke his neck when he slammed into a fence; in Santa Barbara, a horse was killed during the bucking broncho event; in Columbus, a frightened bull was shot after escaping a rodeo; in Long Island City, another frightened bull was shot after escaping; in the National Western Stock Show, a horse crashed into a wall, breaking his neck, and a horse broke his back while being forced to buck; in Connecticut Make-A-Wish rodeo, a steer’s neck was twisted until it broke; in Houston, a steer’s neck was broken, and two calves' legs were broken; in Calgary, a bull broke his leg and was killed; in California, a horse forced to buck broke his leg and was killed; at the California Polytechnic University, a horse forced to buck fell and died; at Laramie County Community College, four steers froze to death; in Anaheim, a horse, forced to buck with a 4-foot-long wooden prod, crashed into gate and died; in Salinas, a horse crashed into a fence, another horse broke his leg, and a calf’s back was broken—all were killed.

The tragedies for these animals are only the tip of the iceberg, since many other injuries go unreported, and no one has any idea how many animals are injured and killed in thousands of practice sessions.

For the sake of animals and inmate rehabilitation, please put this cruel and counterproductive event out to pasture for good.

Respectfully yours,



Colleen O’Brien, Coordinator
International Grassroots Campaigns