100 more years of rodeo?
April 2nd, 2011 by admin
The Town of Davie has struggled to hold on to its western identity against the ever-expanding South Florida metropolitan area. Residents don’t ride horses through the center of town anymore, but Davie is probably the only place in Florida where you can find western-themed fast-food restaurants. Davie may also be the only place in South Florida where rodeos are held on a regular basis. Unfortunately, the town doesn’t want that to change anytime soon.
At its February 16 meeting, the Davie Town Council passed a restrictive covenant that will restrict the future use of the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds to “rodeos and rodeo related activities.” The covenant cannot be modified or terminated for 99 years! Mayor Judy Paul explained, “The rodeo represents our past. We are Cowboy Town. It’s an identity. It sets us apart from the rest of South Florida.”
Cowboys are fun, and we love horses, but the violent, brutal treatment of animals in rodeo is nothing to be proud of. Steer-wrestling, tie-down roping and other rodeo events are violent competitions which cause real suffering to animals.
We don’t think rodeo will be around in the 22nd century. Our prediction is that Davie will be stuck with an empty rodeo arena long before the 99-year covenant expires.
Speak up for animals abused in rodeo! Join animal advocates for a protest outside the “Sunshine Stampede Rodeo,” April 9-10, in Davie. Contact ARFF for details.
Visit ARFF’s website to learn more about rodeo.