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…
Steer and two horses euthanized at Calgary Stampede rodeo & chuckwagons
Three animals were euthanized due to serious injuries sustained over the first four days of the Calgary Stampede. The death toll of the Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races has now reached 108 animals since 1986, including 77 horses used in the chuckwagon races. Read key media coverage below. Learn more Read and watch to learn more about the animal welfare issues at Canada’s largest rodeo, the Calgary Stampede. Learn more Take the pledge Sign the pledge to not attend inhumane rodeo events and chuckwagon races. Take the pledge Share your vision Share what animal-friendly activities you would love to see in the Stampede’s future. Share your vision Calgary Herald Read now CBC Read now CTV News Calgary Read now City News Calgary Read now
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…
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…
Opposition to rodeo and chuckwagons increases in Calgary, poll shows
Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur \ We Animals Media 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 poll: Public opposition to rodeo events and government funding surges A recent Research Co. poll indicates a rise in opposition to rodeo and chuckwagon events in Calgary between February and July. The poll covered five events. Most Calgarians were opposed to four out of five events in July, compared to just one in February. It showed the following increases in opposition: Likewise, opposition nationwide is on the rise. Opposition increased from February to July in all five events included in the poll. The results showed most Canadians are opposed to all five events. The poll also shows a significant increase in opposition to government funding of rodeo…
A history of the Calgary Stampede’s controversial animal events
Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur \ We Animals Media The 2024 Calgary Stampede is underway July 5-14, and with it comes inhumane rodeo events and the deadly chuckwagon races that result in animal fatalities nearly every year. Let’s take a look at the controversial history of the Calgary Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races. The Vancouver Humane Society has been tracking Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon racing fatalities since 1986. Since then, 109 animals have died in the Stampede’s events. 78 of those deaths have been horses used in the chuckwagon races. The true toll of animal deaths may be much higher due to the number of animals that are practiced on and injured behind the scenes. Why are there so many fatalities in the chuckwagon races? The chuckwagon races are the deadliest event at the Calgary Stampede. Almost every year, horses die during this event, which is known as the “half-mile of hell”. The…
Steer and three horses euthanized at Calgary Stampede rodeo & chuckwagons
Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur \ We Animals Media Four animals were euthanized due to serious injuries sustained during the 2024 Calgary Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races. The death toll of the Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races has now reached 109 animals since 1986, including 78 horses used in the chuckwagon races. Read key media coverage below. Learn more Read and watch to learn more about the animal welfare issues at Canada’s largest rodeo, the Calgary Stampede. Learn more Take the pledge Sign the pledge to not attend inhumane rodeo events and chuckwagon races. Take the pledge Share your vision Share what animal-friendly activities you would love to see in the Stampede’s future. Share your vision July 13 coverage Global News Read now July 9 coverage Calgary Herald Read now CBC Read now CTV News Calgary Read now City News Calgary Read now