PEORIA -- Animal advocates demonstrated along the sidewalk at the Peoria Civic Center to protest the cruel exploitation of animals at a rodeo that opened there Jan. 11 for a 2-day run. They plan to demonstrate on Jan. 12 as well.
The rodeo has been touted uncritically by the Journal Star, but a leader of the group, Doris Muller of Peoria Area Voices for Animals believes people should take a closer look at what really occurs in events such a bronc and bull riding and roping where the animals are treated very roughly.
She handed out cards advising people attending the rodeo to look at a website showing rodeo cruelty.
"Without cruelty to the animals, rodeos would not exist....Cruelty should not be considered entertainment," Muller's card stated.
She plans to donate funds raised at a garage sale and well as personal funds to SHARK, the Geneva-based group that opposes rodeos and sponsors the rodeo cruelty website. SHARK activists are planning to observe the rodeo, she said.
SHARK urges people to boycott the commercial sponsors of rodeos.
-- Elaine Hopkins
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