SPRINGFIELD, Ill.-
After studying videotapes and photos provided by animal rights activists, the Illinois Department of Agriculture has concluded that rules designed to protect animals were broken at the 2006 National High School Finals Rodeo at the Illinois State Fairgrounds here.
But the department stopped short of calling for criminal charges, saying that is up to the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s office, which now has the tapes and photos.
Steve Weinhoeft, first assistant state’s attorney, told The (Springfield) State Journal-Register on Thursday that the case is under review.
Steve Hindi, president of an animal-rights group called Showing Animals Respect and Kindness, expressed disappointment with the department’s investigation and stance on criminal charges.
“To not give an opinion is, I think, outrageous,” Hindi said. “They don’t want to prosecute these guys.”
Hindi called on the Journal-Register to withdraw its sponsorship of the event, which is organized by the Denver-based National High School Rodeo Association.
Publisher Sue Schmitt said Thursday that the newspaper would not withdraw its sponsorship but would continue to cover the investigation.
“We would expect the rodeo to follow the national association’s rules,” Schmitt said. “We, certainly, as a newsgathering organization, will be watching to be sure they do so at the 2007 rodeo.”
This year’s event is scheduled for the Multipurpose Arena at the fairgrounds July 23-29.
In files turned over to the state’s attorney’s office, agriculture officials confirmed that the videos supplied by Hindi’s group showed riding bulls being poked with sharp objects during the 2006 competition, which was held last July 24-30.
After viewing still photographs also provided by the group, agriculture officials also determined that a man had slapped a bull and that tails were pulled as bulls left chutes. The files also indicate at least one bull was electrically shocked.
National High School Rodeo Association rules forbid shocking or jabbing animals while in chutes. In the videos, jabbing occurs either in closed chutes or just as doors open.
