PETA activists protest at legislature following Stampede horse deaths

About 20 people, some wearing cardboard horseface masks, protested at the Alberta legislature against Calgary Stampede chuckwagon races.

They held up signs urging the races be scrapped, stating that animals do not exist for the entertainment of humans.

Amanda Brody, speaking for the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, says the chuckwagon races are cruel and inhumane and the animals can't be kept safe.

The Calgary Stampede is reviewing safety rules after six horses died in racing at this year's Stampede, the most deaths in almost a decade.

Brody says despite ongoing safety upgrades and checks at the Stampede, the animals are still dying and that it's time to shut down the event altogether.

Premier Jason Kenney's office declined comment, but Agriculture MinisterDevin Dreeshen issued a statement.

He says theUCP government remains committed to the protection of animalsand will continue to work with organizations to improve practices and procedures.

• Total of 6 Calgary Stampede chuckwagon horses dead after 3 more put down Sunday
• 2019 Calgary Stampede ties as 2nd deadliest year for chuckwagon horses

The national animal welfare legal advocacy group Animal Justice has also renewed its calls for an end to chuckwagonraces.

The agency wants a police investigation intoillegal animal cruelty,suggesting thatrodeo eventsshould not be exempt from Alberta's animal cruelty laws.

The 2019 Calgary Stampedewas the second deadliest year for chuckwagon horses in more than three decades, with six horses dying over the10-day event that ended Sunday.

Thatbringsthe total number of animals that have died during the rodeo and chuckwagon races at the Stampede since 1986 to 102.

This year's event tieswith 2010 as having the second-highest toll on chuckwagon horses.The worst year was1986when 12 horses died.

Chuckwagon horses make up more than two-thirds of the animal deaths at the Stampede.

The Calgary Stampede has launched a safety review and officials have said many changes have been made over the years to increase the safety of animals and humans during rodeo events.

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