![\"Mexican](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.animals24-7.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Picsart_26-08-03_16-33-26-939-e1785800066765.jpg?ssl=1\")
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<\/a> (Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 SALINAS,\u00a0 California\u2013\u2013<\/strong>If the Jaripeo Baile held on August 1,\u00a0 2026 at the Salinas Sports Complex in Salinas,\u00a0 California had been an authentic exhibition of Mexican culture,\u00a0 the participants who kicked and jumped up and down on a tied,\u00a0 prostrate bull named Maximo might have been expected to know a downed bull from a pi\u00f1ata.<\/p>\n If the Jaripeo Baile had even been an authentic charreada<\/em>,\u00a0 the steer-tailing participants should have known that jerking the bull\u2019s tail is supposed be done from horseback,\u00a0 while the bull is running for his life,\u00a0 not when the bull is tied down and essentially immobile.<\/p>\n If the Jaripeo Baile had even been a bullfight,\u00a0 the participants\u2013\u2013and the crowd\u2013\u2013should have known that the bull is supposed to be dead before anyone tries to cut off his ears.<\/p>\n <\/a> (Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n If the bull-riding event at the Jaripeo Baile had been conducted according to either Professional Bull Riders Association,\u00a0 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association,\u00a0 or Mexican American Classic Charrer\u00eda Organization rules,\u00a0 no bull would be released from the bucking chute into the arena before the bull rider had a firm grip with one hand on his saddle horn,\u00a0 the bull rider would have worn some head protection under his cowboy hat,\u00a0 at least one rodeo clown would have been standing by to intervene after a fall,\u00a0 and an ambulance would have been standing by in event of a human injury.<\/p>\n None of that appears to have been done at the Jaripeo Baile held on August 1,\u00a0 2026 at the Salinas Sports Complex in Salinas,\u00a0 California,\u00a0 an event not to be confused with the California Rodeo Salinas,\u00a0 held two weeks earlier,\u00a0 an annual event at least since 1911 with origins around a century earlier.<\/p>\n <\/a> Bull rider about to be bucked off.<\/strong><\/em> A \u201cJaripeo Baile\u201d is traditionally a combination of an afternoon charreada<\/em>,\u00a0 or nine-event Mexican-style rodeo,\u00a0 with an evening dance.<\/p>\n The rodeo part,\u00a0 these days,\u00a0 is usually whittled down to just one or two events held for tradition\u2019s sake,\u00a0 usually bull riding and\/or steer tailing.<\/p>\n Advertised the Salinas hosts of the Jaripeo Baile held on August 1,\u00a0 2026,\u00a0 \u201cGet ready for an unforgettable day of live music and exciting bull riding featuring [bands named] Los Farmerz, \u00a0Cornelio Vega y Su Dinast\u00eda, \u00a0Banda Zeta, \u00a0Banda R-15, \u00a0Banda Exclusiva, \u00a0Banda Menguarense, \u00a0and more!\u201d<\/p>\n The well-attended dance was obviously the main event.\u00a0 But at least one participant in the preliminary bull riding missed the dance,\u00a0 having apparently never had either hand on his saddle horn when,\u00a0 according to bull riders and former bull riders who commented online,\u00a0 the bull was released prematurely.\u00a0 Bucked forward,\u00a0 the rider hit his head.\u00a0 Bucked backward,\u00a0 the rider fell off,\u00a0 again hitting his head before being briefly dragged and then possibly stomped.<\/p>\n <\/a> Chris Cerney. (Facebook Reel photo)<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n Commenters differed as to the exact sequence of the bull rider\u2019s injuries,\u00a0 but agreed that he was severely hurt.\u00a0 Several commenters claim the fallen bull rider,\u00a0 apparently unconscious with head and neck injuries,\u00a0 was not properly secured in a stretcher before being carried off.<\/p>\n No information appears to have been released about the condition or identity of the bull rider.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter the rider was off the bull,\u201d\u00a0 narrated KSBW television news digital content manager Ricardo Tovar,\u00a0 \u201cseveral people appeared to lasso the animal to the ground,\u201d\u00a0 repeatedly slamming the bull bodily into the arena fence. \u00a0The video then shows several individuals kicking and stomping the bull, \u00a0while another person stomps on the downed bull after pulling its tail.\u201d<\/p>\n The Tovar version was significantly understated.<\/p>\n Monterrey citizen newscaster Chris Cerney posted video taken by spectator Angelo Ortiz,\u00a0 at https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/1371083435210592<\/a>.<\/p>\n An uncut version is posted at https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/1005748455620127<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/a> Cutting the bull\u2019s ear.<\/strong><\/em> The video shows two men jumping up and down on Maximo the bull while a third man hacks at the bull\u2019s ears with a knife,\u00a0 several others kick the bull,\u00a0 and still others look on.<\/p>\n Assessed Beth Clifton of ANIMALS 24-7<\/strong>,\u00a0 as a former vet tech with extensive large animal experience,\u00a0 \u201cI watched the video multiple times.\u00a0 In a failed attempt to remove the bucking strap,\u00a0 the men lassoed the bull around his neck.\u00a0 They forced him down with the bucking strap still around his girth.\u00a0 As the bull fought with them,\u00a0 the lariat noose tightened and eventually cut off his airway.<\/p>\n \u201cThe bull went limp and the men tried to revive the bull by jumping on him to get his heart going.<\/p>\n \u201cThese men did not have a clue about what they were doing and the bull was suffering for it.<\/p>\n \u201cStupid as they all were,\u201d\u00a0 Beth finished,\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t believe they were intentionally trying to harm the bull.\u00a0 Of course they did,\u00a0 because of their incompetence!\u00a0 I would like to know how the bull did despite the clueless idiots!!!\u201d<\/p>\n Responded the California Rodeo Association in a prepared statement,\u00a0 \u201cWe recognize that the incident occurred at a facility we manage and that many people associate with our organization.<\/p>\n \u201cWe take that responsibility seriously.<\/p>\n \u201cThe California Rodeo Association does not condone animal abuse or the mistreatment of livestock under any circumstances.<\/p>\n \u201cThe actions depicted in the videos are inconsistent with our values and with the standards we expect of anyone using our facilities.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/a> Man jumping on bull.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/em>(From Angelo Ortiz video, posted by Chris Cerney.)<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n This raises the question of what degree of difference the California Rodeo Association perceives,\u00a0 other than the level of public outrage,\u00a0 between what the Jaripeo Baile participants did to the bull on August 1,\u00a0 2026,\u00a0 and what California Rodeo Salinas participants do to steers and horses every year in roping and bucking events.<\/p>\n Does a steer suffer less from being roped and dragged than a bull from being jumped on?<\/p>\n Sidestepping that question,\u00a0 the California Rodeo Salinas said the Jaripeo Baile promoters violated their rental agreement,\u00a0 \u201cand will be barred from hosting future events at the Salinas Sports Complex.\u201d<\/p>\n That is likely to be the full extent of any consequences for the Jaripeo Baile promoters.<\/p>\n The Salinas Police Department,\u00a0 with no known history of responding to alleged rodeo animal abuse,\u00a0 issued a media statement saying it \u201cis aware of the video circulating on social media regarding an incident that occurred at the rodeo grounds this weekend.\u00a0 We want to assure the public that the incident is being actively investigated in conjunction with the SPCA,\u201d\u00a0 the Salinas Police Department media release said.<\/p>\n <\/a> A pickup rider kicked this injured calf in the face to make him stand up.\u00a0 The Monterey County SPCA didn\u2019t do anything about that,\u00a0 either.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/em>(From SHARK video)<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n The statement directed anyone who \u201cwitnessed the incident, \u00a0has additional information, \u00a0or captured different videos that may assist with the investigation\u201d to contact the SPCA Monterey County.<\/p>\n Ricardo Tovar of KSBW affirmed on August 3,\u00a0 2026 that \u201cSPCA Monterey County has taken the lead\u201d in the investigation.<\/p>\n \u201cGood luck with the Monterey SPCA,\u201d\u00a0 scoffed Showing Animals Respect & Kindness investigator Mike Kobliska,\u00a0 experienced in documenting alleged cruelty to animals at the California Rodeo Salinas that the Monterey County SPCA found pretexts to ignore.<\/p>\n Founded in 1905,\u00a0 the Montrey County SPCA,\u00a0 or SPCA Monterey County as it now styles itself,\u00a0 like the Salinas Police Department,\u00a0 has no discernible history of having ever taken action against rodeo animal abuse.<\/p>\n <\/a> (Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n Alleged California Rodeo Salinas abuses have been thoroughly documented for decades.<\/p>\n Action for Animals founder\u00a0Eric Mills tallied 16 fatal injuries to animals occurring at the California Rodeo in the 12 years 1983-1995.<\/p>\n The Monterey County SPCA did nothing about any of them.<\/p>\n Showing Animals Respect & Kindness founder Steve Hindi videotaped three calves suffering broken legs at the California Rodeo in 2009.<\/p>\n The SPCA Monterey County did nothing about that.<\/p>\n In 2013 Hindi videotaped a performer spraying glitter into the face,\u00a0 including the eyes,\u00a0 of a trailered bull.\u00a0 Again the SPCA Monterey County did nothing about it.<\/p>\n <\/a> (Painting by Julius Caesar Ibbetson, 1759-1817.)<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n Said Hindi after viewing the video posted by Chris Cherny,\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve recorded things worse than this at the Salinas Rodeo itself, \u00a0including bull baiting.\u00a0 We will be calling them out.\u201d<\/p>\n On July 19,\u00a0 2029,\u00a0 Hindi and Kobliska videotaped an unofficial event in the California Rodeo Salinas main ring differing little,\u00a0 if at all,\u00a0 from bull baiting as practiced when first documented at Stratford Bridge,\u00a0 England,\u00a0 in 1209.<\/p>\n The 109th California Rodeo Salinas had nearly ended on Sunday,\u00a0 July 19,\u00a0 2019.\u00a0 The loudspeaker was still announcing the last \u201cbullfighting\u201d events,\u00a0 in which \u201crodeo clowns\u201d tease young bulls who are already agitated by bucking straps cinched tightly around their waists.<\/p>\n Attendees,\u00a0 however, \u00a0were filing out of the Salinas Sports Complex.<\/p>\n <\/a> SHARK videotaped alleged bull-baiting at the 2019 California Rodeo Salinas.<\/strong><\/em> However,\u00a0 as documented by the Showing Animals Respect & Kindness video at\u00a0https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=prgX7QtdrvA<\/a>,<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 hundreds of spectators remained in their main arena seats,\u00a0 far from the awards ceremony for the winning \u201cbullfighters.\u201d<\/p>\n Six bulls who had just been run hard by the rodeo clowns stood at bay near the center of the area,\u00a0 charged repeatedly by a mixed pack of five dogs.<\/p>\n Among the dogs were at least one boerboel,\u00a0 a Catahoula leopard dog,\u00a0 two probable boerboel mixes,\u00a0 and a small terrier who tried to push the bulls toward the big dogs.<\/p>\n The big dogs,\u00a0 especially the boerboel and the Catahoula, \u00a0lunged again and again at the bulls\u2019 faces,\u00a0 biting and sometimes drawing blood.<\/p>\n <\/a> (From SHARK video)<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n The bulls tried to push the dogs away with their horns,\u00a0 attempted to turn away and run,\u00a0 occasionally kicked at the dogs,\u00a0 and conspicuously refrained from goring and tossing the dogs.<\/p>\n This was the one evident difference between the 10 minutes of video that Hindi and Kobliska collected,\u00a0 taken from multiple angles,\u00a0 and centuries-old depictions of obviously more experienced bulls throwing some of their harassers.<\/p>\n The bulls approached the gate through which they would later be herded to trailers,\u00a0 but the men at the gate did not open it to let them escape the dogs.<\/p>\n When an apparent black boerboel\/border collie cross tried to quit the violent harassment of the bulls,\u00a0 a man standing in the ring ordered the dog to resume.<\/p>\n Showing Animals Respect & Kindness later collected video of bull-baiting with dogs after night performances.<\/p>\n <\/a> (From SHARK video)<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n Yet,\u00a0 predictably,\u00a0 neither the Salinas Police Department nor the SPCA of Monterey County did a thing about it.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (See SHARK video shows dogs baiting bulls at Calif. Salinas Rodeo 2019<\/a> and District Attorney will not prosecute alleged bull-baiting at Salinas rodeo<\/a>.)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Bull-baiting at Monterey rodeos is nothing new.\u00a0 Visiting Monterey in 1834,\u00a0 U.S. Army officer, \u00a0explorer,\u00a0 and fur trapper Benjamin Bonneville (1796-1878) described witnessing bull-baiting in which bears were set on bulls rather than dogs,\u00a0 as well as traditional Spanish-style bullfighting.<\/p>\n The California Rodeo Salinas under the present name began in 1911.\u00a0 Media releases distributed by the California Rodeo Salinas itself promised bull-baiting and bullfighting,\u00a0 along with all the other standard rodeo events,\u00a0 at least as early as 1919 and as late as 1948.<\/p>\n The \u201cbullfighting\u201d may have been the same event called \u201cbullfighting\u201d today.<\/p>\nThe mayhem at the rented home of the California Rodeo Salinas was not bull-riding,\u00a0 steer-tailing,\u00a0 or even bullfighting as done by the rules<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\nWhere were the clowns?<\/h2>\n
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(From Angelo Ortiz video, posted by Chris Cerney.)<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\nWhat is a \u201cJaripeo Baile\u201d?<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\nRider hurt;\u00a0 bull was attacked<\/h2>\n
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(From Angelo Ortiz video, posted by Chris Cerney.)<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\nJumping,\u00a0 cutting,\u00a0 kicking<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\nBarred from Salinas Sports Complex<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\nWitnesses referred to SPCA Monterrey County<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\nAbuses documented for decades<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\nBull baiting<\/h2>\n
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(From SHARK video)<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\nMixed pack<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\nBulls tried to run<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\nNo one did anything about it<\/h2>\n