The Calgary Stampede hasn’t answered: what happened to the animals in 2026?
Rodeo Truth is raising concerns about transparency and accountability at the Stampede and about a recent update to Alberta’s Animal Protection Act that was passed without public consultation. The change makes it harder to protect animals used in rodeo and chuckwagon races from distress. In summary: Take Action for Animals Sign the #SayNoToRodeo Pledge Learn More The 2026 Calgary Stampede ended on July 13th with a confirmed serious injury and three other concerning animal incidents. Despite reaching out to Stampede officials to confirm the status of these animals, Rodeo Truth has still not heard back. On July 19th, Rodeo Truth wrote directly to the Calgary Stampede to inquire about several concerning incidents: Rodeo Truth requested that Calgary Stampede organizers respond with the status of these animals and the number of animal injuries and fatalities at the 2026 rodeo and chuckwagon races by July 27th. That deadline has passed with no…
Calves show fear and stress before calf-roping even starts, new study finds
Learn More “Welfare concerns begin while calves are still confined in the chute.” Calf-roping, also called tie-down roping, involves a young calf being released from a chute, chased by a rider on horseback, roped around the neck, stopped abruptly, forced to the ground, and tied by the legs. Animal welfare concerns have long focused on the risk of stress, pain, and injury during the event itself. This study shows that welfare concerns begin even earlier, while calves are still confined in the chute. Calf-roping event at The Calgary Stampede. Jo-Anne McArthur \ We Animals Media. Researchers reviewed clips of 31 calves. Some were held in the chute for shorter periods, 28 to 51 seconds, while others were held longer, 52 to 166 seconds. They recorded visible behaviours using an assessment tool known as an ethogram. “Red flag” behaviours included: The study found that calves held for longer periods showed more…
Another controversial Calgary Stampede comes to a close, but animal welfare concerns remain
TAKE ACTION: keep the momentum going by signing the #SayNoToRodeo pledge, using the quick-action tool below to contact government decision-makers and, if your workplace attends the Stampede, use the template letter to ask your workplace to choose cruelty-free activities for any future Stampede gatherings. Learn more Contact decision-makers Take #SayNoToRodeo pledge Employee advocacy Table of contents Another Calgary Stampede has come to a close The crowds are leaving and the temporary attractions are coming down, but the concerns surrounding animals used in the events remain unresolved. From July 3 to 12, animals were once again put at risk of stress, injury and death in fast-paced rodeo and chuckwagon events for entertainment. Calves were chased, thrown to the ground and tied. Steers were pursued and wrestled by the neck. Horses and bulls were made to buck. Teams of horses pulled wagons at high speeds around tight turns and alongside other teams.…
Two chuckwagons collide at Calgary Stampede, horse seriously injured
Photo: Reddit user thicketcosplay TAKE ACTION: Use the quick action tool to call on government decision-makers to work with organizers to remove these inhumane and deadly animal events from the Stampede program. Take #SayNoToRodeo pledge Email decision-makers Learn more Horse seriously injured after two chuckwagon teams collided A horse has reportedly been seriously injured following a collision during the Calgary Stampede’s chuckwagon races on July 11. The Calgary Herald reported that Chance Flad’s Bar L5 Ranch wagon and Wade Salmond’s De Havilland Aircraft of Canada wagon failed to finish Heat 3 after their horses collided while rounding the barrels. Witnesses said two horses went down in the crash. Photo: Reddit user thicketcosplay One was eventually able to walk from the track, while the other remained down and was lifted into a trailer behind a privacy tarp. CTV News Calgary reported that the horse is considered seriously injured and is undergoing evaluation. Nearly every year, there…
Time for change: tell Calgary’s new Mayor and Council to end rodeo and chuckwagon races at the Calgary Stampede
Image credit: Jo-Anne McArthur, We Animals Nearly every year, animals continue to be injured or killed in dangerous rodeo and chuckwagon events at the Calgary Stampede. At least 110 animals have died at the Calgary Stampede since 1986, an astonishing average of one death every 3.5 days of competition. Animal lovers are urging Calgary’s newly elected Mayor and Council to remove the chuckwagon races and rodeo events from the annual Stampede program. What you can do Take action Call on Stampede officials and government decision-makers to end the inhumane rodeo and deadly chuckwagon races at the Calgary Stampede. Below are two quick actions you can take to reflect your support for a kinder Calgary Stampede! Action 1 Action 2 What happened at the 2025 Calgary Stampede? Content warning: The following footage shows a fatal incident and animals showing signs of stress and fear. Stress, suffering & risk of injury or…
What happened at the 2025 Calgary Stampede?
Photo: Sportsnet As this year’s Calgary Stampede wraps up, it leaves behind another devastating loss. Rider, a horse gravely injured during the chuckwagon races, was euthanized. His death adds to the long, painful legacy of animal fatalities at the Calgary Stampede. Since 1986, at least 110 animals are known to have died in connection with the Stampede, 79 of them in chuckwagon races alone. Just last year, three horses and a steer lost their lives. But the suffering goes beyond the fatal incidents. Behind the scenes, animals used in rodeo face constant fear, stress, and physical coercion—all for the sake of public entertainment. Footage from this year’s event exposes a grim reality: for the animals, the rodeo and chuckwagon races are not a celebration. They are a source of fear, force, and fatalities. What you can do Take action Call on Stampede officials and government decision-makers to end the inhumane…
As the Calgary Stampede returns, advocates renew push to end harmful rodeo events
Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur \ We Animals Media The 2025 Calgary Stampede is set to take place from July 4–13, once again bringing with it the controversial rodeo and chuckwagon races—events long criticized for their impact on animal welfare. These high-risk spectacles have a tragic track record, with animal fatalities occurring nearly every year. Last year marked the deadliest Stampede since 2019, with four animals losing their lives. Three horses died in the chuckwagon races and one steer was euthanized after suffering a broken neck during a wrestling event. At least 109 animals have died in Stampede-related events since tracking of animal fatalities began in 1986. This ongoing toll has fueled growing public concern and calls for change. Polling consistently shows strong and increasing opposition across Canada to the use of animals in rodeo and chuckwagon races, including among Albertans. Take action Call on Stampede officials and government decision-makers to end…
Polling says: The future is rodeo-free
Most Calgarians oppose government funding of rodeo events – Research Co., July 2024 Surveys were conducted in Calgary and across Canada in both February 2024, before the Calgary Stampede, and July 2024, after the Calgary Stampede. The July results revealed a significant increase in Canadian opposition to rodeo events and government funding for these activities. Key findings Most Albertans oppose the use of animals in rodeo – Research Co., August 2023 A survey conducted in August 2023, which looked at public attitudes toward rodeo and other uses of animals across Canada and within each province, found growing opposition to the use of animals in rodeos. Key findings Removing animal events would have virtually no impact on Stampede attendance – Research Co., July 2022 A survey conducted among Calgarians during the 2022 Stampede found that the removal of the rodeo and chuckwagon events from the Calgary Stampede program would have virtually…
Animals aren’t actually having fun at rodeo – here’s how you can tell
Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur \ We Animals Animals die in rodeo We know that animals used in rodeo events can suffer from acute and long-term injuries, which can result in the animals being euthanized. For example, at the 2024 Calgary Stampede, four animals were euthanized during the 10-day event, making it the deadliest Stampede since 2019 when six horses lost their lives during the chuckwagon racing event. Deaths are covered, but suffering is more widespread While fatal injuries at high profile rodeos like the Stampede are commonly reported on by the media, the stress, fear, pain, and discomfort experienced by animals in rodeo events is often overlooked. The fact that animals experience stress, fear, pain, and discomfort for the sake of human entertainment brings up ethical concerns about animal events at rodeos. For example, a study out of Australia found that calves experience stress during all stages of the roping event…
Report calls on Calgary city council to endorse a Stampede without rodeo and chuckwagon events
Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur \ We Animals A recent report from the Vancouver Humane Society outlines several key findings: TAKE ACTION: Sign and share the #SayNoToRodeo pledge and send an email in support of the Vancouver Humane Society’s report and recommendations to Calgary city council. Take action Express your opposition to the inhumane rodeo and chuckwagon events at the Calgary Stampede by signing the pledge. The total number of signatures will be included in communications with Stampede organizers and decision-makers. New report: Evidence for a Calgary Stampede without rodeo and chuckwagon events In a new report sent to Calgary city council, the Vancouver Humane Society outlines concerns and recommendations following this year’s deadly Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon events. Below are the key points and recommendations in the report: The report recommends that Calgary city council seek the removal of the rodeo and chuckwagon events from the annual Calgary Stampede program.