I am sending this letter on behalf of Animal Place to inform Lake County and Lake County News that we are disappointed to see “mutton busting” take place at this weekend's rodeo.

The rodeo's "mutton busting" event is cruel and dangerous for both children and sheep.

In 2019 Alameda County Board of Supervisors banned “mutton busting” because it is a cruel and unnecessary practice.

This event was even dropped from rodeos across New Zealand at the recommendation from the New Zealand Veterinary Association. They deemed sheep “not built to carry this weight”. In addition to the weight on their backs this is an incredibly stressful and terrifying event and environment for the animals.

We condemn rodeos and the act of “mutton busting.” We encourage Lake County to follow Alameda Counties lead and ban the practice.

Please take these steps to make this world, and your county, a more compassionate world for animals and people.

Kelcie Leach is program director for the Animal Place in Grass Valley, California.