SHARK's Concerns Regarding Rodeos in Illinois:

1. Video and still cameras should be allowed at all animal-related events. There should be no harassment, intimidation of documenters, or attempts by anyone to block documentation. 2. Multiple lines of communication between SHARK and the Department. 3. Chutes and the activities therein should not be obstructed by signs, banners or any other unnecessary means that could hide abuses from view. 4. Any foul-roped animal must be released immediately, before the rope goes taut. A foul-roped calf is one that is roped anywhere but around the neck, and only around the neck. Calves roped by the leg(s), tail, nuzzle, crown of head, mid-section, etc., shall not have the rope drawn taut. A foul-roped steer is one that is not roped in the proper front horn, rear legs manner. If the rope is unavoidably drawn taut it should be immediately cut to prevent injury. (See video for examples of foul roping) No "catch as catch can" rule should be allowed. 5. No jerkdowns, and no rope flipping that encourages a jerkdown. In the case of a jerkdown the run should terminate immediately, and the rope should be cut if needed to immediately release all pressure on calf. A calf that is the victim of a jerkdown should be immediately examined by a veterinarian who is not affiliated with the rodeo. 6. No dragging of roped animals. Rope to be immediately cut if an animal is dragged to relieve pressure and prevent injury. 7. A run should terminate immediately if an animal is injured or unconscious. There should be no waiting for a score. If the rope is tight on an injured or unconscious animal, it should be immediately cut. 8. No calf should be thrown by its tail. (See video for examples.) 9. If animal is injured or unconscious, there must be a proper stretcher or other conveyance and immediate veterinary attention. (See video for examples of improper conveyance.) 10. No animal should have its head and face pushed into the front of the chute. 11. No kicking, punching or face slapping of any animal. 12. No ear pulling, before, during or after event, either in the pens, chutes, or on the arena floor. 13. Extremely careful judgment should be exercised in considering activities such as pig, calf, and goat scrambles. Such activities should be very closely supervised by the Department, not solely rodeo personnel. 14. Rodeo stock used only once per day, including goats and including practice runs. 15. No shocking. 16. No tail pulling, twisting, raking (including bulls). This usually occurs in the chutes, although it also occurs on the arena floor. With regard to "pushers" moving the cattle out of the timed event chutes, they are supposed to push, not torment. 17. Horses should be kept outside the circle of activity allowed by the goat rope to avoid having the goat run over. 18. Steers used in team roping not to be pulled tight. If the steer is pulled tight the animal should be immediately examined by a veterinarian not affiliated with the rodeo. 19. Appropriate shade, windbreak, water, and feed. 20. Animals known to chute stall and/or chute fight and/or go down in the chute should not be used. Any animal that stalls, fights or goes down in the chute should be immediately released and not reused. 21. Overall roughness should be strongly discouraged. Our video footage shows numerous instances. It should be mentioned that the goat-tying event includes animals that are quite small. This is close to a scramble event, and the combination of the small goats, the weight of the contestants and the nature of the event is such that restraint should be encouraged, and if necessary, promoted in a more forceful manner. 22. No double-decker trailers for horses. The stock contractor who produced the last two High School National Finals in 2000 and 2001, recently pled guilty to 36 counts of horse cruelty for transporting horses in double decker trailers. Whether the same contractor produces the upcoming finals or if it is someone else, they should not be allowed to use double deckers, especially since federal legislation will soon outlaw this nationwide.