The San Diego Humane Society is investigating the death of a horse during last month’s rodeo at Petco Park to determine whether negligence or criminal intent played a role.
The investigation comes as the Humane Society and animal rights activists continue to lobby San Diego officials either to ban rodeos within city limits or to significantly restrict how animals can be treated during such events.
But prospects for new rodeo restrictions dimmed in November when Councilmember Kent Lee, who supports a crackdown, couldn’t get support from any colleagues.
The Humane Society said its investigation began immediately after the horse died and is now nearing its final stages.
A report by Dr. Tim Eastman, the attending veterinarian at the event, said the cause of the death was unknown and that the horse’s body was sent to the state diagnostic lab in San Bernardino for testing.
The 16-year-old mare had participated in a saddle bronc event with no indication of illness or distress, the report said. But within 15 minutes of returning to the holding pen, the horse was found lying down and trembling.
Eastman’s report said the mare died during his initial physical exam.
A spokesperson for the San Diego Rodeo Alliance said the cause of death was an “unforeseeable medical event” and that the rodeo remains dedicated to the highest standards of care.
“The San Diego Rodeo has comprehensive measures in place to ensure animal safety and well-being, including pre-and-post event health screenings and constant veterinary oversight,” said the spokesperson, Jed Pugsley.
“Regrettably, a 16-year-old horse that was present at the rodeo passed away due to an unforeseeable medical event,” Pugsley said. “The owner was made aware, and the horse was transported to a nearby facility for evaluation. As we follow our own, thorough and internal protocols for evaluating each event, we remain dedicated to upholding the highest standards of animal care and welfare.”
The horse died Jan. 11, the second day of the three-day event. Eastman’s report said no animals required treatment on Jan. 10 or Jan. 12.
