SAN DIEGO — The fate of a rodeo planned for Petco Park in January could be determined at a civil court hearing in just a couple of weeks.
The plaintiffs, The Animal Protection League and Showing Animals Respect and Kindness are suing the Padres and C5 Rodeo, the company putting on the event. They say the event violates municipal code, which prohibits non-service animals inside and around Petco Park.
During a hearing Tuesday morning, attorneys for the plaintiffs asked the judge to issue a temporary restraining order, which would put a halt to ticket sales.
"I'm troubled that even though you have the court's attention, you're asking for relief that would stop the defense dead in their tracks," said Judge Joel R. Wohlfeil.
He continued the matter until December 14 to give the Padres and C5 Rodeo time to file their response.
However, Padres' attorney, Elaine Harwell, gave the court a glimpse of their argument.
"In this instance, the playing field where the event is going to occur is neither a public land or a right of way, it is a private area where no public is allowed," said Harwell.
She also pointed out, if someone from the public were to run onto the field during a game, security would escort that person off the field because it is not open to the general public.
However, Bryan Pease, one of the attorneys for the plaintiffs, said the ballpark is a public facility. The municipal code does not specify private or public areas within the building.
"They actually had to do a modification of the lease to do football, because this is a baseball park and that's what it's for," said Pease. "Now they think they're going to truck in these animals to chase them around and subject them to cruel treatment."
Attorneys for the Padres and C5 Rodeo declined to comment after Tuesday's hearing.
Tuesday afternoon, a spokesperson with the mayor's office confirmed the Padres have submitted an application to the city for a permit to hold the event. The application is currently under review.