SPRINGFIELD, Ill.—Authorities say no charges have been filed in an investigation into alleged cruelty to bulls at the 2006 National High School Finals Rodeo at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, in part because they haven’t been able to identify a suspect.
An investigation began after animal rights activists gave the Illinois Department of Agriculture video and photographs that showed riding bulls being poked with sharp objects, shocked, slapped and having their tails pulled during the competition held last July 24-30.
The department concluded that rules designed to protect animals were broken and turned the investigation over to the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s office.
But authorities say they haven’t been able to identify anyone linked to the alleged cruelty, including a man shown on the video jabbing bulls.
“I need to identify someone,” Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Schmidt said Monday. “If we get the identification, we will continue the investigation.”
“I’m not saying we would or wouldn’t file charges” if an identification was made, Schmidt added.
The footage was taken by the animal rights group Showing Animals Respect and Kindness.
Members of the organization vowed to continue the investigation, claiming the animals were provoked to perform better in the rodeo, which is organized by the Denver-based National High School Rodeo Association.
“If you care about fair competition, you should be concerned,” said the group’s president, Steve Hindi. “They’re enhancing performance by being very cruel to the animals. They’re teaching young people to break rules, then lie about it.”
Kent Sturman, executive director of the rodeo association, said the organization conducted its own animal welfare report of the 2006 event in Springfield as it does for each finals rodeo.
“That report clearly indicated that no animal cruelty laws were broken and that animal welfare rules were followed and that all animals were cared for responsibly and with acceptable animal husbandry practices,” he wrote in an e-mail statement to the Associated Press Wednesday.
National High School Rodeo Association rules forbid shocking or jabbing animals while they are in chutes. In the videos, jabbing occurs either in closed chutes or just as doors open.
