If Wyoming isn’t “proactive” about protecting local rodeos and other working animal-based enterprises, a Wyoming legislator said animal rights activists could shut them down.
“If you attend our local rodeo during the summer in Cody, at times downtown you’ll be approached by animal rights activists that are trying to encourage tourists to not attend the rodeo, claiming that animal cruelty occurs,” Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, R-Cody, said Tuesday.
She was testifying before the Senate Agriculture, State and Public Land and Water Resources Committee about House Bill 63, which she is sponsoring.
Some testified against the bill, including Cheyenne Animal Shelter CEO Britney Tennant.
She said the bill, as currently written, is too broad and vague.
It could create unintended loopholes, such as dog fight promoters claiming that “it’s a form of commerce,” Tennant said.
Committee member Sen. Troy McKeown, R-Gillette, pushed back against that idea, saying that activities such as commercial dog fighting are already illegal in Wyoming.
It’s (dog fighting is) illegal. Period. You can’t have commerce that’s illegal,” he said in response to Tennant.
The committee voted 4-1 to advance the bill to the full Senate.
‘A Solution Looking For A Problem’
HB 63 is based off legislation developed in another state and similar bills have already failed in other states, said Bob McLaurin, the legislative manager for the Wyoming Association of Municipalities (WAM).
Wyoming and other states are considering them as towns in other states are banning rodeo.
He added that there isn’t real threat against rodeo or other working animal enterprises in Wyoming. And HB 63 would override decisions that are best made at the local level, so WAM opposes it, he said.
“We think this is a solution looking for a problem,” McLaurin said.
Committee Chairman Sen. Tim French, R-Powell replied that even though there might not be current threats, the bill could head off future problems.
At some point, a municipality might decide to ban some rodeo events, French said.
Wyoming Farm Bureau spokesman Brett Moline said his organization supports HB 63, because it could head off attempts by animal rights activists to undermine traditional activities in Wyoming.
“Maybe we haven’t had this problem in Wyoming, but it has happened in other states,” he said.
Cody Republican Rachel Rodriguez-Williams says Wyoming’s rodeos need protection from animal rights activists who try to shut them down. (Matt Idler for Cowboy State Daily) 
Sen. Tim French, R-Powell, right, supports a bill that would protect Wyoming rodeos from being shut down by animal rights activists. (Matt Idler for Cowboy State Daily) 
Cowboys compete in the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, billed as the "Daddy of 'em All," in this file photo. (Getty Images) 
The working horses for Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo are on display for the crowd in the arena in this file photo. (Getty Images) 
Cowboys compete in the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, billed as the "Daddy of 'em All," in this file photo. (Getty Images)
‘Going Down A Rabbit Hole’
Tennant said the bill raises the “specter of outside influences” trying to promote cruel animal enterprises, outside of traditional Wyoming activities such as rodeo.
She and others who testified against HB 63 raised the concern that it could open to door for “puppy mills,” which could discourage people from adopting dogs from local animal shelters.
McKeown was also incredulous about that claim.
“As I read through this bill, I don’t see anything about puppy mills in it. I think we’re going down a rabbit hole. And I guess I’m asking, am I missing something where this either promotes or demotes the use of puppy mills?” he said.
Rodriguez-Williams agreed that the bill doesn’t address puppy mills, which should be covered by Wyoming’s existing animal cruelty statutes.
“I think the bill has brought in some public comment that has gone down rabbit holes,” she said in response to McKeown.
Roll Call
Sen. Barry Crago, R-Buffalo cast the sole vote against advancing HB 63.
The “ayes” included French and McKeown, along with Sens. Laura Pearson, R-Kemmerer and Bob Ide, R-Casper.
Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.
