Vancouver Humane Society says chuckwagon race fundamentally unsafe

Man injured, horse dead in separate incidents at Calgary Stampede

VANCOUVER, July 8, 2014 /CNW/ - The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) says the Calgary Stampede should suspend its chuckwagon races after a man was injured and a horse was killed in separate incidents at the Stampede chuckwagon track today.

"We are extremely sad to hear about these incidents," said VHS spokesperson Peter Fricker.  "We hope the injured man makes a full recovery." 

VHS is calling on the Stampede to establish an independent panel of equine and veterinary experts to review the chuckwagon race to see if it can be made safer.

"It's clear that right now this event is fundamentally unsafe and should be suspended until a thorough review can take place," Fricker said.

SOURCE: Vancouver Humane Society

Peter Fricker: 604 266 9744, Cell: 604 603 5401