The picture accompanying the Steamboat Pilot & Today column “Rainy Steamboat rodeo a humbling experience for a Texan” (republished in the Summit Daily News on June 24) shows clearly the cruelty in rodeos.
Look at the steer’s face and study its body. Did the steer agree to participate in this activity? More and more science is discovering and confirming that nonhuman animals have emotions and experience fear and pain. Too many humans don’t want to acknowledge this because of the implication on the false belief of human uniqueness and superiority in the animal kingdom.
The next time you see an animal like this steer being abused, look into his or her eyes and ask yourself, what is she experiencing and thinking? Compassion should extend to all life on our planet.