WORCESTER—As a touring bull-riding show prepares to debut at the DCU Center this weekend, animal rights advocates plan to protest outside—and a proposed Worcester ordinance aimed at restricting rodeo equipment remains in limbo at City Hall.
The demonstration, organized by Western Massachusetts Animal Rights Advocates and Positive Change for Animals, comes as city officials await draft language from the city manager’s office on a measure that would limit certain devices used in bull riding and other “roughstock” rodeo events. Supporters say the proposal is intended to curb animal suffering and reduce public safety risks; venue officials and industry representatives argue the sport complies with existing laws and humane standards.
The event, billed as “Bulls, Bands & Barrels,” is expected to sell out, according to DCU Center marketing director John LaHair. The animal advocacy groups have scheduled a protest from 5-6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Ordinance pending draft
The proposal remains in the drafting stage, with city officials awaiting language from the city manager’s office before it can be referred to committee.
“We are waiting for a draft ordinance from the city manager’s office,” said City Councilor Khrystian King, who filed the order last fall, adding that he plans to meet with the manager and advocates in the coming weeks.
The draft cannot be referred to committee until it is completed, he reiterated.
King said he supports “restrictions on the use of tools of torment that cause harm to the animals,” adding, “We do not want to ban rodeo-style events; we just want to ensure the safety for all participants.”
He cited concerns about devices that “cause pain, stress and aggressive behavior in bulls,” noting that bull riding is “widely recognized as one of the most dangerous spectator sports.”
The proposal follows a November council vote directing the city manager to draft language limiting equipment that causes pain or agitation to animals in rodeos. At that time, councilors unanimously advanced the order.
Activists push for device ban
Karen Bacon, founder of Positive Change for Animals, told the Worcester Guardian that activists first approached King’s office in early October with a presentation documenting what they describe as harm caused by rodeo events.
“We provided Khrystian and his office a PowerPoint presentation documenting the nature of rodeo events, including bull riding, and the harm caused to animals from them,” Bacon said. She said the office found the presentation “eye-opening.”
Bacon said she and Matthew King, president of the Christian Animal Rights Association, are scheduled to meet with the city manager March 6 to discuss draft language.
The coalition is seeking a citywide ordinance, not one limited to the DCU Center.
“We only want to seek an outright ban on anything that would make the animals buck, specifically flank straps, but would also encompass any device that has the potential to make them buck like electric prods,” Matthew King said.
He added, “What we are concerned with is permitting these events but only if the animals are not forced to buck in any way.”
Both advocates cited veterinary studies and reports they say show flank straps and related devices cause distress and injury. Bacon said, “Animals buck if they are in distress, and not otherwise.”
The groups have also launched online petitions calling for restrictions or bans, which organizers say have drawn hundreds of signatures.
“We’re going to keep going with ordinances in every city and state until flank straps used in bull and bronc riding are federally illegal,” said Matthew King.
DCU said its following the law
The DCU Center said animal events must meet all legal requirements.
“All events involving animals are required to comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations,” said John LaHair, the center’s director of marketing. “Promoters and livestock contractors must provide appropriate documentation related to animal care, transport, and oversight as part of the event approval and operational planning process.”
LaHair noted that a Massachusetts law enacted in 2024—now G.L. Chapter 131, Section 19C—bans the use of elephants, lions, giraffes and certain other animals in traveling acts, but does not apply to bulls, which are considered domesticated animals.
“There is no law within the Commonwealth which prohibits rodeos or bull riding,” he said.
LaHair confirmed the venue has received “a small amount of correspondence from residents regarding this event” and said concerns are reviewed and addressed appropriately.
As a city-owned facility, he said, the DCU Center would comply with any ordinance adopted by the City Council.
The Worcester Guardian reached out to Bulls, Bands & Barrels, the company producing this weekend’s event, but did not receive a response prior to publication.
On its website, the organization states it has a “no-tolerance policy” for mistreatment of animals and says bucking is a trait bred into bulls through genetics. The site also states the company has a “no-tolerance policy when it comes to the use of electronic stimulation devices to make the bulls buck.”
A previous Professional Bull Riders event in Worcester prompted similar debate. In November, a PBR spokesperson disputed claims that flank straps or electric prods are used to harm animals, saying bucking is natural behavior and that such equipment does not injure bulls.
For now, the policy debate remains unresolved. The weekend event will proceed as scheduled, while city officials continue drafting language that could shape how—or whether—similar events operate in Worcester in the future.
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