San Francisco Moves Toward Rodeo Ban

SAN FRANCISCO —  This city, which has hosted just one minor rodeo in the past five years, is close to a vote that could effectively ban them.

The Board of Supervisors’ small business subcommittee voted Thursday to ban calf roping and steer wrestling from any rodeo performance, calling them cruel. The subcommittee didn’t ban bucking straps, which fasten tightly around an animal’s hindquarters to make them buck.

The board will vote Feb. 14.

Last month, the city Animal Welfare and Control Commission voted to ban several additional rodeo practices, including use of cattle prods and greased pig contests, calling them inhumane. If the board votes to ban all the events, it would effectively bar traditional rodeos from the city.

Supervisor Mark Leno drafted a compromise ordinance that prohibits only calf roping and steer wrestling.

“We’re sending a message that the city of San Francisco won’t tolerate the suffering of animals,” Leno said. “People think cruelty to animals is OK if it’s in a rodeo event. Well, it’s not OK.”

The law would have a limited effect in the city, since there has been only one rodeo here in the last five years--one sponsored by black cowboys for a holiday celebration last year. The cowboys intend to hold another in Golden Gate Park in June.

The huge Grand National Rodeo is still to be held at the Cow Palace every year, but it’s just over the line in San Mateo County.

But rodeo fans worry that San Francisco’s decision may be copied by other cities.

“This is essentially a banning of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Assn. rodeos,” said Cindy Schonholtz, animal welfare coordinator for the PRCA. “We can put on a rodeo, but without all the events it’s not a sanctioned rodeo. It’s not a good precedent.”

A local animal rights group cheered supervisor Leno’s compromise, and vowed to keep fighting rodeos.

“I’m delighted we got rid of two events,” said Eric Mills of Action for Animals. “I’ve been fighting this every year for 20 years.”