Over a million people are expected to attend this year’s Stampede festivities. It has been recognized by Parks Canada as a National Historic Event and praised by leaders (including Prime Minister Mark Carney) for celebrating the Canadian spirit. Yet beneath the cowboy cosplay lies a long history of cruelty—horses and cows routinely suffer heart attacks, broken limbs, and catastrophic injuries when forced to compete. They’re pushed past their physical limits in violent rodeo and chuckwagon races, only to be killed and discarded as collateral damage.
And this cruelty isn’t just happening on Canadian soil. It’s happening to Canadian animals, for the benefit of American rodeo riders, who dominate the events, reap the rewards, and walk away without accountability—even when the abuse appears to violate animal protection laws.
The Calgary Stampede’s History of Animal Cruelty
The Stampede has a dark track record of deadly events, including chuckwagon racing and steer wrestling. Last year alone, four animals died—making it the deadliest Stampede since 2019.
Chuckwagon races, a notorious event introduced in 1923 by American rodeo promoter Guy Weadick, are among the most dangerous. These races force teams of horses to sprint at breakneck speed while pulling heavy wagons, often resulting in severe trauma: broken legs, spinal injuries, internal bleeding, and even heart failure.
Over the past 39 years, at least 109 animals have died at the Stampede. And that’s just what’s been publicly documented.
Last year, tragedy predictably struck during a steer wrestling event. American contestant Stetson Jorgensen of Idaho leapt from his horse, violently wrenching a young steer’s neck and slamming him to the ground. The baby cow collapsed with his legs twitching, likely from a traumatic spinal injury. Stampede officials scrambled to block the public from seeing the truth. They rushed out screens to hide the carnage, but footage from the stands showed the steer being carried off on a stretcher. He died shortly after.
Despite causing a death that horrified audiences, the Stampede welcomed Jorgensen back with open arms. Rather than banning him, Stampede organizers have once again handed him a platform to abuse animals in front of a cheering crowd. The message is clear: at the Calgary Stampede, animal cruelty is not only tolerated‚ it’s rewarded.
Alberta Law Prohibits Cruelty. So Why Isn’t It Enforced?
Under Alberta’s Animal Protection Act, it’s an offence to cause or permit an animal to be in distress. Rodeo events are not exempt. Likewise, the Criminal Code prohibits causing unnecessary pain, suffering, or injury to animals—especially for public entertainment.
And yes, no rodeo performer or organizer has been prosecuted in over 70 years.
The law is clear, and the cruelty is undeniable. But in response to Animal Justice’s repeated efforts to see charges laid, law enforcement has failed to act.
Calgary Stampede: Made in America?
The Stampede is often marketed as a celebration of Western Canadian heritage. Many view it as a point of Alberta provincial pride. But when it comes to rodeo events, there’s little left that’s Canadian.
- Americans make up 80% of rodeo competitors in 2025.
- All winners in last year’s major events were American.
- Canadian participation dropped to under 15%.
In other words, Canadian animals are being injured and killed so that American cowboys can cash in.
While the horses, bulls, and steers used in these events are Canadian—sourced from Alberta and beyond—their suffering is orchestrated by foreign competitors, many of whom travel north precisely because Canadian enforcement is so lax.
The Stampede is no longer a Canadian tradition. It’s an American rodeo circuit stop that leaves Canadian animals dead in the dust.
It’s time for Canadians to reclaim their values—and reject the cruelty hiding behind a maple leaf.
WestJet has a two-decade long partnership with the Stampede, sponsoring many of its rodeo events over the years, including this year’s bull riding competitions.
WestJet positions itself as a progressive airline with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. Yet the company continues to support this spectacle of trauma and violence, which causes immense suffering to animals, and directly contradicts its commitment to ethical business practices.
Join us in asking WestJet to stop supporting rodeo abuse at the Calgary Stampede!
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