Animal rights groups sue Salinas Rodeo

The California Rodeo Salinas has “drastically and chronically underreported animal injuries” the last two years, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday with the Monterey County Superior Court, allegations vigorously contested by the Rodeo’s chief veterinarian.

The lawsuit by the nonprofit Animal Legal Defense Fund on behalf of SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) accuses the Salinas Rodeo and head veterinarian Tim Eastman of failing to report 38 injuries to animals.

“California law requires the reporting of rodeo animal injuries,” said Steve Hindi, founder and president of SHARK. “The intent was to make rodeos transparent. Instead, the law has not been enforced, but rather, manipulated to make rodeos appear harmless.”

SHARK said it videotaped 41 injuries to animals during the 2013 and 2014 Salinas rodeos, and according to expert veterinary opinion detailed in the lawsuit, all of those injuries required immediate veterinary treatment and care. Injuries included calves limping in pain after being dragged to the ground and a horse with a tennis ball-sized wound on his neck, the suit says.

Only four injuries were reported in the Livestock Injury Reports, according to the lawsuit and Eastman.

Injuries requiring veterinary treatment within 48 hours of the conclusion of the rodeo must be reported to the California Veterinary Medical Board, according to the California state Professions Code.

Eastman, a veterinarian at Steinbeck Country Equine Clinic in Salinas, hadn’t seen the lawsuit, but said every one of the six or seven rodeo veterinarians and the SPCA agreed with his assessments of animal health at the Rodeo. Every animal exiting the arena is examined by a veterinarian and the SPCA, he added.

“I’ve been the veterinarian out there for about 10 years and I’m always amazed at how well the rodeo livestock is cared for. They’re fed the best quality hay. They get all the veterinary care they need right away,” Eastman said. “They’re very valuable and that’s how the stock contractors make a living, it’s in their best interest to provide the best stress-free environment as they possibly can. We only use the best stock contractors that are available. That’s always been the case and it always will be.”

In 2011, SHARK filed two complaints against Eastman with the state veterinary medical board. Those complaints dealt with the underreporting of the number of injured animals and the lack of care for those same injured animals.

Eastman is at every event, every day, during the Salinas Rodeo.

“California law recognizes that rodeos endanger the animals who are forced to participate, which is why the law requires veterinarians to report animal injuries,” said executive director of the Animal Legal Defense Fund Stephen Wells. “Without transparency, groups such as ALDF and SHARK cannot hold rodeos accountable for the suffering they cause. This lawsuit is intended to change that.”

Eastman said he’d ask to see the entire unedited video shot by SHARK, which would show that after a couple of steps, the animals are fine with the exception of those reported.

“The veterinary committee prides itself in the care and treatment the livestock gets while they’re there,” Eastman said. “We also consider ourselves leaders in the community when it comes to care and welfare of rodeo livestock when they come to Salinas.”

Rodeo officials were not available for comment Wednesday.

The 105th California Rodeo Salinas is scheduled for July 16-19.