I am very disappointed that a supposedly progressive-leaning newspaper [Eugene Weekly] would stoop to promoting blatant cruelty to animals by glorifying “rodeo queens” in a three-page article complete with cover page. I am hoping to see a follow-up article which goes behind the scenes to reveal the callous disregard with which the non-voluntary participants in this violent activity are subjected. A good place to acquaint EW readers with the realities of rodeo can be found at sharkonline.org – Barb Lomow, Eugene, Oregon

I have witnessed and tended to calves in rodeos who became paralyzed and whose tracheas were totally or partially severed. Slamming them to the ground has caused rupture of several internal organs leading to a slow and agonizing death. – Dr. E. J. Finocchino