Protests and Lawsuit Attempt To Stop San Diego Rodeo

San Diego Superior Court Judge Joel Wohlfeil has ruled to allow a lawsuit aimed at stopping rodeos at Petco Park to proceed. The lawsuit, filed by the Animal Protection and Rescue League (APRL) and Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK), alleges that the rodeos violate San Diego’s municipal code, which prohibits the presence of non-service animals at events held at the stadium.

The court granted a demurrer filed by the Mayor and the City of San Diego, removing them from the case. However, the judge overruled a demurrer filed by the San Diego Padres, which allows the lawsuit against the baseball team to continue. This ruling is procedural—it determines that the plaintiffs’ claims warrant further examination in court but does not address the merits of the case.

The full trial is scheduled for November 2025 and expected to last three days. Earlier attempts by the plaintiffs to secure an injunction preventing the rodeo were denied or delayed, so the January 2025 rodeo went ahead as planned. That event drew renewed protests after a pregnant mare collapsed and died following a saddle-bronc competition. A necropsy by the San Diego Humane Society determined she died from a ruptured uterine artery and found no evidence of criminal neglect. Supporters of the rodeo maintained the animal had shown no visible signs of injury beforehand.

The legal dispute began after the rodeo at Petco Park in January 2024, which drew widespread protests from animal rights groups. Controversy intensified then when a 6-year-old horse named Waco Kid collided with a barricade during the event and required emergency care. According to C5 Rodeo, the company organizing the event, the horse sustained no major injuries. Both incidents have become focal points for critics alleging that rodeos inherently jeopardize animal welfare.

Summary of the Debate

Opponents’ View: Animal welfare advocates, including the San Diego Humane Society, contend that events such as calf-roping and steer-wrestling cause unnecessary stress and risk to animals. They argue that rodeos use tools like electric prods and bucking straps that inflict pain, making the sport inhumane. Opponents are calling for a citywide ban on rodeos, citing both the recent horse fatality and the earlier Waco Kid incident as evidence of inherent danger.

Supporters’ View: The Padres and rodeo organizers emphasize that animal welfare standards are strictly enforced, with experienced livestock handlers ensuring safety. They describe the rodeo as a cultural tradition and family-friendly event, noting that it follows professional livestock care protocols. Supporters argue that incidents are rare and that the sport celebrates horsemanship and Western heritage.

PETA’s and Other Groups’ Involvement

PETA has continued its campaign against the San Diego Rodeo, urging supporters to pressure the Padres and city officials to end the event. The organization issued a formal letter to sponsors and has organized protests during rodeo dates. The San Diego Humane Society, Showing Animals Respect and Kindness, and the Animal Protection and Rescue League have also staged demonstrations and collected petition signatures in an effort to ban the event.

About the Rodeo

The San Diego Rodeo returned to Petco Park in January 2025 despite legal challenges. Plans for 2026 have been announced while the City Council considers legislation proposed by Councilmember Kent Lee to ban rodeos in city venues. As of mid-2025, no ban has been enacted, and the lawsuit over the event is set for trial later this year.

Sources and Additional Reading

• KPBS – Humane Society calls for rodeo ban
• 10News – Renewed calls to ban rodeos
• San Diego Union-Tribune – Mare dies during San Diego Rodeo
• PETA – San Diego Padres Rodeo campaign
• CBS8 – Protests at Petco Park Rodeo