Saint-Tite Western Festival criticized over animal welfare concerns

A new report out ofUniversitdeMontralis accusingtheFestival Western deSaint-Tite of violating Quebec's animal welfare laws, saying that rodeo animals were exposed to serious risk and injury as well as psychological distress.

Law professor Alain Roy published a report Wednesday,based on evidence gathered from witnesses at 20 such events.

His600-page reportfound that horses and bulls were subjected to seriousinjuries like fractures and it was thesame in calf-roping and steer-wrestling.

Quebec's law, adopted in December 2015,prohibits abuse or mistreatment affecting the health of an animal or any act that could expose them to distress.

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The festival'spromoters responded to the report Wednesday, calling it biased and dismissing its findings as anabusive interpretation of the law.

The festival saidtheir own animal treatment specialist found "no abuse, negligence or unacceptable behaviour'' on the part of organizers, volunteers or competitors.

"We are not surprised by the report's negative findings, since Roy had already publicly announced his position on rodeos, even before undertaking his analysis,'' said Pascal Lafrenire, the event's general manager.

He was referring to a request for an injunction filed by Roy nearlya year ago in an effort to prevent the holding of a controversial urbanrodeoduring Montreal's 375th anniversary celebrations.

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A deal brokered between both sides, and approved by Quebec Superior Court, allowed therodeoto go ahead in August as well as another a month later at the Saint-Tite festival.

As part of the deal, Roy was able to send three observers to attend and film the events.

A veterinarian and a behavioural specialist examined the footage of the animals before and after the events.

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A provincial committee that falls under the jurisdiction of the Agriculture Department will determine any next steps following the release of the report.

Quebec Agriculture Minister Laurent Lessard told reporters in Quebec City that he will wait to hear back from the committee, but believes rodeoscould continue as long as they respectthe province's animal welfare rules.