Activists Demand Rodeo Ban Following Salinas Animal Abuse Footage

The viral video, which shows a bull being restrained and beaten after a rider was thrown, has prompted investigations by the Salinas Police Department and SPCA Monterey County. For Chris DeRose, president of Last Chance for Animals, the footage confirms that these spectacles rely on the violent exploitation of sentient creatures. He argues that the Salinas incident serves as a grim preview of what could occur within Los Angeles city limits if lawmakers continue to ignore the issue.

Legislative efforts in Los Angeles stalled in July 2026 when a proposed ordinance—designed to prohibit activities like bucking, roping, and wrestling—expired without a final vote. Although the City Council had previously directed the City Attorney to refine the language to protect legitimate equestrian traditions, the bill eventually died in committee. With the Professional Bull Riders’ "Unleash the Beast" event scheduled for February 2027 at Crypto.com Arena, activists are calling for an immediate reintroduction of the ban. They contend that the Council’s failure to act on the measure effectively leaves animals unprotected from the same practices that sparked the recent outrage in Salinas.