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…
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…