Editing Rodeo (section)

===Positions taken by animal welfare organizations===
There are three basic areas of concern to various groups. The first set of concerns surround relatively common rodeo practices, such as the use of bucking straps, also known as flank straps,<ref>[http://www.sharkonline.org/rodeocrueltyhorsebucking.mv SHARK - Animal Cruelty Investigations and Campaigns] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628124319/http://www.sharkonline.org/rodeocrueltyhorsebucking.mv |date=June 28, 2013 }}</ref> the use of metal or electric cattle prods,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sharkonline.org/?P=0000000511 |title=The Truth about Hot-Shots |publisher=Sharkonline.org |access-date=2014-01-02 |archive-date=2013-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031161640/http://www.sharkonline.org/?P=0000000511 |url-status=live }}</ref> and tail-twisting.<ref>[http://www.sharkonline.org/rodeocrueltytailtwisting.mv SHARK - Animal Cruelty Investigations and Campaigns] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514100438/http://www.sharkonline.org/rodeocrueltytailtwisting.mv |date=May 14, 2012 }}</ref> The second set of concerns surround non-traditional rodeo events that operate outside the rules of sanctioning organizations. These are usually [[amateur]] events such as [[mutton busting]], calf dressing,<ref>[http://www.sharkonline.org/rodeocrueltycalfdressing.mv SHARK - Animal Cruelty Investigations and Campaigns] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908050856/http://www.sharkonline.org/rodeocrueltycalfdressing.mv |date=September 8, 2012 }}</ref> [[wild cow milking]], calf riding, chuck wagon races, and other events designed primarily for publicity, half-time entertainment or crowd participation. Finally, some groups consider some or all rodeo events themselves to be cruel.<ref>[http://www.sharkonline.org/rodeocrueltycalfroping.mv Calf roping - The Most Cowardly Rodeo Event] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908045618/http://www.sharkonline.org/rodeocrueltycalfroping.mv |date=September 8, 2012 }}</ref>

Groups such as [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals|PETA]], and [[Showing Animals Respect and Kindness|SHARK]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sharkonline.org/ |title=SHARK |publisher=Sharkonline.org |access-date=2014-01-02 |archive-date=2014-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102032707/http://sharkonline.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[Humane Society of the United States]] generally take a position of opposition to all rodeos and rodeo events.<ref>"Statement on Animals in Entertainment and Competition - Rodeo" Humane Society of the United States.  Web site accessed June 28, 2007 at http://www.hsus.org/about_us/statements/animals_in_entertainment.html#Rodeos {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303055913/http://hsus.org/about_us/statements/animals_in_entertainment.html |date=2009-03-03 }}</ref>  A more general position is taken by the [[ASPCA]], only opposing rodeo events that "involve cruel, painful, stressful and potentially harmful treatment of livestock, not only in performance but also in handling, transport and prodding to perform." The group singles out children's rodeo events such as goat tying, calf riding and sheep riding (“[[mutton busting]]”), "which do not promote humane care and respect for animals."<ref name="autogenerated1">"Animals in Entertainment: 5.4 Rodeo" web site accessed June 27, 2007 at {{cite web |url=http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pp_en_rodeo |title=ASPCA: ASPCA Policies and Positions: Animals in Entertainment, Sport and Work |access-date=2011-10-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081123072049/http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pp_en_rodeo |archive-date=2008-11-23 }}</ref>

The [[American Humane Association]] (AHA) does not appear to oppose rodeos per se, though they have a general position on events and contests involving animals, stating that "when animals are involved in entertainment, they must be treated humanely at all times."<ref>"Events and Contests Involving Animals," ''American Humane Association Animal Welfare Position Statements.'' Web document accessed June 28, 2007 at [https://web.archive.org/web/20060929104048/http://www.americanhumane.org/site/DocServer/apsstatements.pdf?docID=101]</ref> The AHA also has strict requirements for the treatment of animals used for rodeo scenes in movies, starting with the rules of the PRCA and adding additional requirements consistent with the association's other policies.<ref>"American Humane Association Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media:Roceo Scenes," web document accessed June 27, 2007 at [https://web.archive.org/web/20060929103159/http://www.americanhumane.org/site/DocServer/GuidelinesPDF.pdf?docID=1821]</ref> Unique among animal protection groups, the ASPCA specifically notes that practice sessions are often the location of more severe abuses than competitions.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> However, many state animal cruelty laws provide specific exemptions for "training practices." The American Humane Association is the only organization addressing the legislative issue, advocating the strengthening of animal cruelty laws in general, with no exceptions for "training practices."<ref>"Legislative Brief: Anti-cruelty Laws" web site accessed June 27, 2007 at [https://web.archive.org/web/20030817103231/http://www.americanhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=nr_legis_brief_anticruelty]</ref>