Livestock contractors address concern over animal cruelty ahead of California Rodeo Salinas

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Livestock contractors are addressing concerns ahead of the Big Week Rodeo kickoff. Many of these contractors share that they care for their animals as part of their team. 

“We're very passionate about it, so we take pretty good care of our animals,” says Mike Corey, owner of Corey and Lange Stock Contractors. 

For the next few days, nearly 600 cowboys are expected to compete at the California Rodeo Salinas, one of the biggest in the state and among the top 15 in the country, but without horses, bulls, steers, and other animals, the show would not be possible. 

“I don't know of anybody who takes better care of their animals than stock contractors.” 

Mike Corey says he joined this industry with a passion after many years of competition. He adds that, like with other sports, injuries are possible. 

“If we see soreness, we don't buck them, we can't afford to, it's not right, number one. But they have to have time to heal.”

Events like the Salinas Rodeo must abide by nearly 70 rules from PRCA and other state laws on animal care. Data from a 2023 PRCA survey states that the injury rate for these animals is less than one percent.

“But the animals have no choice,” Gabriel Ochoa, with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, shares a different view. He says animals are not competing voluntarily, and thus their injuries can be seen as cruelty. Tim Birdwell, however, says following PRCA guidelines is the right thing to do.

“We're under an umbrella of rules, and if we don't follow those rules and comply with those regulations, they can pull our license. Well, then we're out of business.”

Contractors say their animals are like their team athletes, and like with any winning team, preventative care is always a priority.