Health & Human Development Committee — St. Louis, MO
Date: 2025-07-10
Time: 09:00

Agenda
 Health & Human Development Committee
 Regular Meeting
 St. Louis Board of Aldermen
 Thursday, July 10, 2025 - 9:00 AM
 Webinar
President Megan Green
Alderwoman Pamela Boyd, Chair
Alderman Thomas Oldenburg, Vice Chair
Committee Members:
Alderwoman Sharon Tyus
Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier


Order of Business
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Approval of Minutes
 Minutes of the Thursday, June 12, 2025, committee meeting
IV. Board Bills for Review
 None
V. Resolutions for Review
 None
VI. Committee Discussions
 (The committee will discuss and take public comment on the following)
 Discussions Item Number 1
 Animal Control

 The committee will hold a discussion with representatives from the City Animal Control
 about stray dogs, staff patrols and various other animal control-related issues.
VII. Acknowledgment of Any Written Testimony
VIII. Announcements
IX. Excused Members
X. Adjournment

Agenda
 Health & Human Development Committee
 Regular Meeting
 St. Louis Board of Aldermen
 Thursday, July 10, 2025 - 9:00 AM
 Webinar
President Megan Green
Alderwoman Pamela Boyd, Chair
Alderman Thomas Oldenburg, Vice Chair
Committee Members:
Alderwoman Sharon Tyus
Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier


Order of Business
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Approval of Minutes
 Minutes of the Thursday, June 12, 2025, committee meeting
IV. Board Bills for Review
 None
V. Resolutions for Review
 None
VI. Committee Discussions
 (The committee will discuss and take public comment on the following)
 Discussions Item Number 1
 Animal Control

 The committee will hold a discussion with representatives from the City Animal Control
 about stray dogs, staff patrols and various other animal control-related issues.
VII. Acknowledgment of Any Written Testimony
VIII. Announcements
IX. Excused Members
X. Adjournment

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 Minutes
 Health & Human Development Committee
 Thursday, June 12, 2025
 9:00 AM
 Kennedy Room

I. Call to Order
 The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.
II. Roll Call
 The Chair directed the Associate Clerk to call the roll, and the following
 members answered to their name: Ms.Sonnier, Ms. Boyd. 2 members were
 present. A quorum was not established.
III. Approval of Minutes
 Minutes of the Thursday, May 15, 2025, committee meeting.
 The Chair stated they would entertain a motion to approve the minutes of the
 Thursday, May 15, 2025, committee meeting.

 Alisha Sonnier moved to approve the minutes of the Thursday, May 15, 2025,
 committee meeting.

 Seconded by Tom Oldenburg.

 The Chair directed the Associate Clerk to call the roll on the motion to
 approve the Thursday, May 15, 2025, committee meeting minutes.

 The following voted Aye: Ms. Sonnier, Ms. Boyd, Mr. Oldenburg

 The following voted No:
 None

 The Following abstained:




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 None

 The following were present but did not vote:
 None

 A total of Aye-3, No-0, and Abstained-0 were cast. The motion passed
IV. Board Bills for Review
V. Resolutions for Review
VI. Committee Discussions
 (The committee will discuss and take public comment on the following)
 Discussions Item Number 1
 Rodeo Tool Ban

 The committee will hold a discussion with local advocates from the Christian
 Animal Rights Association on the issue of a rodeo tool ban in the City of St.
 Louis on items like electric prods, flank straps, and spurs, etc
 The Chair recognized Matthew King from Christian Animal Rights to speak
 about the Rodeo Tool Ban.

 Mr. King delivered a PowerPoint presentation detailing the tools used to
 enhance bull performance in rodeos. He outlined the various tools and
 explained their impact on the animals, highlighting that they pose risks not
 only to the bulls but also to the spectators.

 After no further discussion, the Chair opened the discussion up to members of
 the committee for questions and comments.

 The committee asked questions and made suggestions.

 The Chair thanked Mr. King for coming and providing information on the
 Rodeo Tool Ban.

 No further discussion on this matter.
VII. Acknowledgment of Any Written Testimony
 None




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 VIII. Announcements
 None
 IX. Excused Members
 The Chair excused Ms. Tyus for necessary absence.
 X. Adjournment
 Having no other business, the Chair adjourned the meeting by voice vote at
 9:43 a.m.



Minutes approved: Thursday, July 10, 2025
Minutes prepared by: Associate Clerk Rozlyn Smith




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A Proposed Ban on Rodeo
 Tools in St. Louis
 Matthew King
 Christian Animal Rights Association




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Rodeos Events Defined
• Steer Wrestling (also known as bulldogging)
• Team Roping
• Calf Roping (also known as tie-down roping)
• Barrel Racing
• Bull Riding
• Bronc Riding

Depending on the organization or league, they may perform all, several, or just one
of these activities at a scheduled event.

I’m going to focus on bull and bronc riding because they use harmful equipment
like the flank strap and the electric prod.

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Rodeos in St. Louis
• Southeastern Rodeo Association, LLC (SERA)
 • Takes place yearly at Chaifetz Arena (this year - June 21, 2025).
 • Events: Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Calf Roping, Barrel Racing, Ladies Steer
 Undecorating, Team Roping, Bull Riding and Junior Barrel Racing for kids.


• Professional Bull Riders (PBR)
 • Takes place yearly at the Enterprise Center (this year – December 7–8, 2025)
 • Events: just Bull Riding




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Bull Riding
• Bull riding is a rodeo event where a rider attempts to stay mounted
  on a bucking bull for eight seconds. The rider holds a rope around the
  bull's chest with one hand, and the other hand is free.
• The most popular rodeo event, there is an entire rodeo league called
  the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) that makes a spectacle out of just
  this one event.
• The bucking seen in these animals causes a great deal of long-term
  damage to their spines and pelvises. For instance a 2017 study
  concluded, ‘Results indicated bucking bulls were more likely than
  nonbucking bulls to develop horn and sinus disorders and
  musculoskeletal disorders of the vertebral region and pelvic limbs.'

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Bronc Riding
• Bronc riding involves riders attempting to stay on a bucking horse
  (bronc) for eight seconds. There are two types: bareback bronc
  riding and saddle bronc riding. In bareback, riders use a rigging
  attached to the horse's back; in saddle bronc, they use a specialized
  saddle. The rider's score is based on their skill and the horse's bucking
  difficulty.




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Bull and Bronc Riding is Emotionally Traumatizing
• One notable source states, ‘Based on observed behaviour, the evidence
  indicates that bull riding is a stressful, frightening experience for the bull:
  there is no evidence that the bulls ‘enjoy’ the experience.’
• Another source states, ‘Horses and cattle are prey animals and their
  reaction to being ridden in this way is the same as their reaction to being
  attacked by a predator, a situation where they experience increased fear,
  stress and panic.’
• An entire veterinary coalition stated, ‘Behaviours indicating distress during
  bucking events include mouth gaping, tongue protrusion, a fixed stare and
  eye whites in horses, and excessive, mucoid salivation, tail swishing, fixed
  stare, mouth gaping and tongue protrusion in bulls.
• Animals sometimes get hurt in the arena, including broken legs and spines.

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Bulls and Horses Buck Because of the Flank Strap
• Bulls and horses do not buck in such an exaggerated fashion like this
  naturally – they do it because of the ‘flank strap’ – also known as the
  ‘flank rope.’
• This strap is designed to annoy the bull or horse and cause them to
  try to kick it off – which results in an exaggerated bucking behavior.
  Several studies indicate this:
• A study regarding bull-riding: ‘There is likely to be discomfort or
  irritation from the flank strap and the chest rope.’
• A study regarding bronc-riding: ’There may be some discomfort to the
  horse from the rider and due to the presence of a flank strap.’
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Landmark Flank Strap Studies
• These animals buck because of the discomfort of the flank strap. For
  instance, one report states, ‘There has to be discomfort and pressure
  pain to the bucking horse with the flank strap just from the plain and
  simple nerve anatomy of the area involved. The animal is reacting to
  rid himself of this tormenting device.’

• One study puts it very bluntly: ‘The purpose of the flank rope is to
  produce an annoyance to the bull.’



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Bull Riding Pictures




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More Bull Riding Pictures




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One More Bull Riding Pic




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Bronc Riding Pictures




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More Bronc Riding Pictures




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Bronc Riding Pictures Again




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Bronc Riding Pics Continued




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Bronc Riding: The Flank Strap




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The Electric Prod
• The Electric Prod – also known as the ‘hotshot.’




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Use of the Electric Prod
• Electric cattle prods, also known as "hotshots," are sometimes used in
  rodeos, particularly in saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, and
  bull riding, to help animals get to the chute and perform.

• One credible source states about rodeo, ‘Cruel tools like the
  “hotshot” are used to make the animals perform. This is an electric
  prod that scares an animal into displaying abnormally dramatic
  reactions through intense pain.’



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Evidence of Harm Caused by the Electric Prod
• A reputable scientific committee focused on animal welfare states, ‘It
  is generally acknowledged that electric prods cause pain and stress
  and should therefore be avoided, if possible.’
• One reliable source states, ‘The “hot shot” will, at times, “draw
  blood” and will always produce skin damage.’
• An entire veterinary coalition stated: ‘Administering an electric shock
  to any animal causes suffering through pain and potential injury,
  which constitutes cruelty.’



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Animals Are Unwilling
• Many events involving animals involve the animals doing it willingly
  (like dog agility) – and this is evident by the fact that the animals do
  not require equipment to make them perform.
• These animals are obviously unwilling to do this; otherwise, the
  equipment would not be necessary. For instance, agility dogs
  generally love the activity, and this is further evidenced by the fact
  that they require no equipment on their body to make them perform.
  Rodeos (specifically bull and bronc riding), however, require the use
  of flank straps and electric prods to torment, annoy, discomfort,
  stress, and inflict pain on these bulls and horses to get them to
  perform against their will. Aptly, this coerced performance creates
  great distress for the animal.
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Distressing Animals with These Instruments
Causes Harm to Humans Too
• Bull Riding is one of the most dangerous sports in the world.
• According to one source, ‘Rodeo athletes are injured or die at higher
  rates than athletes from any other sport. The bull riding injury rate is
  over 10 times the rate of injury in football and over 13 times the rate
  in ice hockey.’
• According to a study, ‘Meyers and Laurent found bull riding was
  responsible for the greatest proportion of rodeo injuries, accounting
  for 28 – 50% of all rodeo-related injuries. Subsequent injury rates
  included: saddle bronc and bareback riding events (20 – 23%), calf
  roping (3 – 12%), steer wrestling (8%), team roping (1 – 4%), and
  barrel racing (0 – 3%).’

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Bull Riding Can Cause Fatal Injuries
• Just this February (2025), a bull rider had his jugular punctured by the
  animal’s horn, which caused him to bleed profusely in front of the
  crowd. Surprisingly, he lived.




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Bull Riding Can Cause Death
• However, another participant wasn’t so fortunate. Just this April
  (2025), a young athlete was trampled to death by the bull he was
  riding.
• Dylan Grant, a 24-year-old professional bull rider, died after being
  bucked off a bull and trampled during a Wharton County Youth Fair
  Xtreme Bulls event. Grant, who hailed from Laramie, Wyoming, was
  competing in the second round of the event when he was bucked off
  and suffered fatal injuries. He was rushed to a hospital in Houston,
  Texas, but unfortunately, died from his injuries.


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Rodeos are a Public Safety Risk
• Rodeos have had numerous animals flee from the arena and cause
  havoc.
• For instance, in 2022, a bull escaped a California rodeo and injured
  five spectators.
• In 2023, a rodeo bull escaped a Utah event and hurt two viewers.
• More recently, in 2024, a bull jumped the arena fence at an Oregon
  rodeo and injured several people.




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Animals Escape Rodeo Pictures




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Expertise: Veterinarian Perspectives
• ‘I am a both an attorney and a veterinarian, who has treated both
  ranch and rodeo animals. In my youth, I rode bareback broncs in the
  rodeo. After law school, I worked as a state criminal
  prosecutor, where I witnessed how animal abuse leads to human
  abuse. Drawing on all of this expertise and experience, I can
  confidently say that rodeo is a cruel and archaic form of
  entertainment that should be outlawed.’

 • Peggy W. Larson, DVM, MS-Path., JD.



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Expertise: What Veterinarians Have Said
• An entire veterinary coalition states: ‘In contrast to this, rodeos
  normalise cruelty, supported by the legality and promotion of these
  events.... The inherent nature of rodeo events results in animal
  cruelty.’
• ‘The German Association of Veterinarians for the Protection of
  Animals analysed video footage of bucking behaviour and
  recommended that bull riding should be prohibited.’
• The RSPCA states: ‘All rodeo events will cause stress, fear and pain as
  well as injure animals for the sake of sport and entertainment.
  Subjecting cattle and horses to these experiences is not justified.’

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What Can Be Done? A Rodeo Ordinance
• This would not be controversial legislation.
• Many cities in the United States have restrictions or bans on rodeos.
• Outright vs. ‘Tools of Torment’ Ban
• The Outright Ban: prohibits the actual activities like bull riding, bronc
  riding, and other rodeo activities like calf roping.

• OR

• The ‘Tools of Torment’ Ban: permits rodeo activities like bull riding and
  bronc riding but not the tools that hurt animals and cause them to become
  aggressive (like flank straps and electric prods).

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Outright Ban on Rodeos
• Some localities have banned rodeos altogether like the California cities of Chino
  Hills, Irvine, Laguna Woods, and Pasadena.
• Likewise, San Francisco and Napa County California have banned rodeo entirely.
• Other cities that have outright banned rodeos: St. Petersburg (Florida), Fort
  Wayne (Indiana), and Greenburgh (New York).
• Los Angeles is on the cusp of outright banning rodeos: ‘It shall be unlawful to
  organize or engage in any of the following activities for live public amusement or
  entertainment: Bareback Brone Riding, Saddle Brone Riding, Bull Riding, Calf
  Roping, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, or any other activity that involves
  physically wrestling an animal to the ground, roping an animal, or attempting to
  ride and remain mounted on a bucking animal. This section shall not be
  construed to prohibit an equestrian, cultural, or other event, including an event
  described as a rodeo, that does not include any of the activities prohibited.’

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The ‘Tools of Torment’ Ban
• This is a ban on equipment used in rodeos. The law doesn’t ban
  rodeos outright but prohibits using painful techniques and devices
  that cause animals suffering, torment or injury.
• Leestown, Virginia - prohibits bucking straps and spurs
• Southampton, New York - prohibits bucking straps and spurs
• Pittsburgh enacted an ordinance in 1992 that bans electric prods,
  flank/bucking straps, wire tie-downs, and sharpened or fixed spurs or
  rowels.



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Proposed ‘Tools of Torment’ Ban in New York City

• The term “rodeo” means any performance, competition, or exhibition
  in which skills traditionally associated with hired hands in the western
  United States who tend cattle and perform duties on horseback such
  as, but not limited to, riding bulls or broncos and roping animals, are
  performed.
• § 17-2302 Prohibitions during rodeos. a. No person shall engage in
  calf roping in connection with a rodeo.
• b. No person shall use a flank strap on any animal in connection with
  a rodeo.
• c. No person shall use an electric prod on any animal in connection
  with a rodeo.

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Our Recommendation
• We would recommend a ban on equipment like flank straps and
  electric prods. This would still allow rodeo events in St. Louis but
  would protect animals from torment, annoyance, discomfort, stress,
  and pain.
• Since the electric prod and the flank strap provoke animals to become
  aggressive, it would also protect athletes and spectators. Animals
  would be far less likely to escape the arena or become agitated
  without the harmful equipment.



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Preliminary Minutes
 Health and Human Development Committee Meeting
 St. Louis Board of Aldermen
 Thursday, July 10, 2025 – 9:00 am
 Webinar

Alderwoman Pamela Boyd, Chair Megan Green, President
Alderman Thomas Oldenburg, Vice Chair
Committee Members:
Alderwoman Sharon Tyus
Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier


Order of Business
 I. Call to Order
 The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 II. Roll Call
 The following members were present: Ms. Sonnier, and Chairwoman Boyd. 2 members were
 present. A quorum was not established.

 The following members joined the meeting while it was in progress making it 3 members and a
 quorum was established: Mr. Oldenburg

 III. Approval of Minutes
 Minutes of the Thursday, June 12, 2025 committee meeting.

 The Chair entertained a motion to approve the minutes of the Thursday, June 12, 2025 committee
 meeting.

 Mr. Oldenburg moved to approve the minutes of the Thursday, June 12, 2025, committee meeting.

 Seconded by Ms. Boyd.

 The Chair directed the Associate Clerk to call the roll.

 The Associate Clerk called the roll and the following votes were recorded:

 The following members were present: Mr. Oldenburg, Ms. Sonnier, and Chairwoman Boyd. 3 Aye
 votes were cast.

 The following voted Aye:
 None

 The following voted No:
 Page 1 of 3
 None.

 The following voted Present:
 None

 The following Abstained:
 None

 The following members were present in the meeting but did not cast a
 vote:

 A total of 3 votes were cast. The motion carried.

IV. Board Bills for Review
 None

V. Resolutions for Review
 None

VI. Committee Discussions
 (The committee will discuss and take public comments on the following.)


 Discussions Item Number 1
 Animal Control
 The committee will hold a discussion with representatives from the City Animal Control about stray
 dogs, staff patrols and various other animal control-related issues.

 The Chair recognized Justin Hauser and Allison Parker with Animal Control to talk about
 animal control related issues.

 Ms. Hauser provided a power point presentation and stated if anyone had question they would
 be happy to answer any questions.

 Ms. Oldenburg asked about the contract between Care St. Louis and the Department of
 Health.

 Justin stated the contract is to provide the shelter operations services.

 Ms. Sonnier asked about the challenges they are facing with providing space for all the
 animals.

 Justin stated they are in need of additional and the current space is not adequate for the needs
 of the city.

 After no further comments from the committee, the chair opened the discussion up to the
 public.

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 Public Speakers
 1. Rachel

 After no further comments the discussion was ended.

VII. Acknowledgment of Any Written Testimony
 None

VIII. Announcements
 None

IX. Excused Alderman
 None

X. Adjournment
 Having no other business to discuss, the Chair entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting.

 Mr. Oldenburg moved to adjourn the meeting.

 Seconded by Ms. Sonnier.

 The motion was carried by unanimous consent.

 The meeting adjourned at 9:45 a.m.


 Minutes approved:
 Minutes prepared by: Associate Clerk Rozlyn Smith




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