A LEGAL attempt to ban an rodeo has been scrapped.
Animals rights campaigners had tried to halt an urban rodeo event to be held during this summer’s 375th anniversary celebrations in Vancouver, Canada.
But the bid was halted when legal students and professor who brought the action feared they could be liable for more than $100,000 in losses if the event was cancelled.
Organisers of August’s NomadFest Urban Rodeo had demanded a $100,000 bond from law Prof Alain Roy in the event an injunction led to cancellation of the event.
The move triggered a swift retreat by Roy and his students who had up until that point received the backing of activists.
The Université de Montréal professor and the students reached an out of court agreement with event organisers.
Under the terms of the agreement the NomadFest Urban Rodeo will allow an independent veterinarian and animal behaviourist to examine the animals before and during the event.
A new committee will be also be formed to make recommendations concerning animal welfare at rodeos.
The committee will be made up of three animal rights experts, three representatives from the rodeo industry, and two officials from Quebec’s ministry of agriculture, fisheries and food.
A rodeo spokesman said: “We have always maintained that we do things in a professional matter, respectful of the laws, and in particular for the rodeo animals.”
Professor Roy added: “This is a golden opportunity to get an overview of rodeo practices and evaluate them under the regulations of Quebec’s new animal welfare law.”
The NomadFest Urban Rodeo is scheduled to run from Aug. 24 to 27 in the Old Port area of the city.
