CALGARY - Animal rights activists say with the start of the Calgary Stampede less than a week away, they'll put pressure on sponsors of events at the popular western-themed event.
About a dozen protesters gathered Saturday near the Stampede grounds holding up signs protesting the Stampede rodeo.
They say people should boycott companies that support such events, including Bell Canada which has sponsored a steer wrestling event.
An official with the Calgary Stampede says while Bell is still a sponsor of the rodeo, it no longer sponsors that particular competition.
Jeremy Thomas, a spokesman with the animal rights group, says animals are injured and killed during the Stampede.
But officials with the event are defending it, saying that thousands attend each year and watch the rodeo on television.
Thomas said his group will step up its public boycott campaign in the coming days.
"Every year animals are hurt and killed and scared out of their minds for the sake of entertainment, not to mention the ones that get killed in the practice sessions," he said.
An unidentified official with the Calgary Stampede said it recently brought in changes to enhance animal safety, including new rules on steer wrestling.
A new panel will also oversee the treatment of animals at this year's event.
Bell Canada officials issued a written statement on the issue.
"We support the Stampede and are confident in their management of all events," it read.
