Eric Mills: Steer tailing is a cruel rodeo event, should be banned

California annually hosts some 800 “charreadas” (Mexican-style rodeos). Most feature “steer tailing,” one of the most brutal events in all of rodeo: a mounted cowboy grabs a running steer by the tail, wraps the tail around his leg, then drags or slams the hapless steer to the ground. Bruises and contusions are routine. Tails may be stripped to the bone (“degloved”), even torn off. Horses sometimes suffer broken legs when the steers run the wrong way. Both Alameda and Contra Costa counties banned this cruelty in 1993. It was outlawed in Nebraska in 2009, and throughout Brazil in 2016.

“Steer tailing” is not a standard ranching practice anywhere in the U.S., nor is it sanctioned by any Western-style rodeo association. Cesar Chavez was an outspoken critic. A statewide ban is needed. Relatedly, state rodeo law (Penal Code 596.7) should be amended to require on-site veterinary care. The “on call” option isn’t working. All legislators may be written c/o The State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814. Let them hear from you!

This story was originally published December 5, 2016 at 2:30 PM with the headline "Eric Mills: Steer tailing is a cruel rodeo event, should be banned."