Pamela Anderson — one of Vancouver Island's most famous exports — is denouncing the local rodeo that's been around for 38 years.
"Vancouver Islanders, please don't support the Luxton Rodeo!" Anderson, who is from Ladysmith, tweeted last week to her more than one million followers. The former "Baywatch" actress called for people to boycott the event and "end rodeo cruelty on the Island."
The Luxton Pro Rodeo, which takes place in Langford over the May long weekend, features calf roping and steer wrestling. Last year, the SPCA urged the rodeo to cancel those two events over the well-being of the animals.
The Cloverdale Rodeo cancelled its calf roping events after the death of a calf in 2007. Anderson has also condemned that event, as well as chuckwagon racing at the Calgary Stampede.
Anderson, a vegetarian, is an outspoken animal rights activist and supporter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
“I don’t get involved in that kind of crap,” Luxton Rodeo manager Sandy West told Metro. “It won’t be the animal activists that shut us down.”
But a lack of sponsorship might. Ten previous sponsors of the Luxton Rodeo have pulled their financial backing, Melissa de Meulles of Victoria Citizens Against Rodeo Events told CTV News.
The group is behind the boycott, because animals are hurt and killed in the "disgusting" events, said de Meulles.
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