What is a cattle prod? The cattle prod was originally developed by the cattle industry as a means to move their livestock. Use of the prod is seen on ranches and occasionally at the rodeo and veterinary clinics. At the PRCA rodeos, the prod is used to herd livestock into pens and chutes. PRCA rules require that the use of the prod be kept to a minimum and that the animals be only prodded on the hip or shoulder area. The prods are powered by a flashlight battery and only used for a fraction of a second. They produce 5,000-6,000 volts of electricity, but no amperage. Voltage causes burns, so this prod causes a mild shock, no injury.
How often are professional rodeo animals injured? According to the PRCA, a 1993-94 survey conducted at 28 PRCA rodeos indicated that the injury rate was so low as to be statically negligible. Of the 33,991 animals entering the arena, only 16 were injured, according to data compiled by on-site vets. That translates to an injury rate of less than five-hundredths of 1 percent, or less than one animal in 2,000. All the vets taking part in the survey reported that the animals were well taken care of and the rodeo grounds were well kept. Other surveys throughout the years simply confirm that animal injury rates in professional rodeo are extremely low. (Statistics are taken directly from the PRCA pamphlet, “Animals In Rodeo.”)
Bottom line? Livestock sometimes live and eat better than the cowboys.
Copyright 2001 Diana Rowe Martinez
 |
 |
