Padres shouldn’t play dumb, ignore evidence of rodeo cruelty

Re Over animal-rights advocates’ objections, city OKs $150,000 to promote controversial rodeo (Nov. 1): Thank you for reporting on the San Diego Tourism Marketing Districts decision to allocate $150,000 in public funds to the Padres for next years rodeo. I was surprised to learn a couple of things from this decision. First, the Padres, a []


Padres shouldn’t play dumb, ignore evidence of rodeo cruelty + ' Main Photo'

Re Over animal-rights advocates’ objections, city OKs $150,000 to promote controversial rodeo (Nov. 1): Thank you for reporting on the San Diego Tourism Marketing Districts decision to allocate $150,000 in public funds to the Padres for next years rodeo.

I was surprised to learn a couple of things from this decision. First, the Padres, a billion-dollar organization, apparently need financial assistance to market an event for which they are already selling tickets, whether or not public money is involved.

Second, when questioned about action to protect animal welfare, the Padres deferred responsibility entirely to the rodeo organizers, who claim animals are well treated. Yet at the very same meeting, video evidence revealed instances of animal injuries at this years rodeo.

— Cece Smith, Tierrasanta