SAN DIEGO — A potential new proposal could make last weekend’s San Diego Rodeo its last at Petco Park. City of San Diego District 6 Councilmember Kent Lee announced he plans to introduce an ordinance which would ban rodeos in the City of San Diego.
A statement issued by Lee said:
“Entertainment is not a justification for cruelty toward animals,” said Councilmember Lee. “The City of San Diego has a history of caring for animals, including investing in our shelters, community vet clinics, and providing grants to local animal rescue nonprofits. This ordinance will ensure that no more animals will needlessly suffer under the guise of entertainment in San Diego.”
The proposed ban is in an effort to protect animals from being used as a form of entertainment in the City of San Diego.
“The people that participate in rodeos abuse animals, and that has to stop,” activist Ellen Ericksen said.
Animal activists against the rodeo like Ericksen are backing the proposal.
"No other rodeo can come to the city of San Diego ever that's done,” Ericksen said.
The San Diego Rodeo Alliance and tribal leaders released a statement following the announcement:
“Our collective coalition is disappointed with today’s announcement. We view this as a direct attack against our cultural heritage and Indigenous traditions. We are prepared and determined to mobilize against this bad policy decision which is out of touch with our community’s values.”
San Diego Rodeo Alliance Chairman Jed Pugsley said this rodeo brought the community something San Diego has not seen before. Pugsley explained what this ban could mean to the rodeo community if it were ever to pass.
“A hard pill to swallow for sure but we’re confident in our stance and our position and we look forward to having those open dialogues with city council members to see where their decisions will be,” Pugsley said.
Animal advocates believe it's an opportunity to spread their message to the community.
“We don't stop," Ericksen said. "It's about educating the public not just when the rodeo is here but all year long."
Councilmember Lee said he will present the proposal to the Land Use and Housing Committee.
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