ANDOVER, Minn. - Animal rights activists protested a private rodeo in Andover that involves a sport called 'steer tailing'.
According to PETA, the practice of 'steer tailing' is a commonly held during Mexican-style rodeos.
It involves horse-mounted riders taking turns chasing a steer, grabbing its tail, and spinning the steer to a stop or tumble.
'Steer tailing' is legal in Minnesota and every other state in the U.S. with the exception of Nebraska, according to PETA.
"The animals get broken bones, their tails are ripped off, they get bloody and battered," said Elisa Soper of Northwoods Animal Rescue Sanctuary.
Soper was joined by a small group of protestors outside of the Andover home that held the rodeo.
The homeowner, who wished not be named, said the rodeo was being held to celebrate her husband's 44th birthday.
She said Anoka County and the city of Andover had no issues with the rodeo, as long as they received a party permit from the city.
Greg Howard lives next to the property and said he is not an animal rights activist, but after seeing what his neighbors were doing to the steer, he felt sick to his stomach.
"People say it's a cultural thing, but culture is no excuse for cruelty," said Howard.
Cattle rancher John Bowlins brought the steer to Andover from Missouri just for this party.
Bowlins, who provides cattle for rodeo events across the country, said 'steer tailing' does not hurt the cattle.
"Trust me, the price of these cattle, I'll leave out of here without one of them hurt," said Bowlins.
He said he typically sells a steer for slaughter for about $3,000 and risking their injury or death in a sport wouldn't be a smart financial decision.
He said he has never had to euthanize a steer because of a 'steer tailing' event.
The homeowner said this will likely be the last 'steer tailing' rodeo she will host.
Although legal and part of their Mexican cultural pastime, she said it's not worth the attention.
