After years of local public concern and growing awareness about the trauma rodeos events potentially inflict on its animals, the cities citizens seems to have chosen compassion over entertainment. It seems that New York City has taken a powerful stance for animal rights by introducing a bill that will put an end to the apparent suffering of animals in rodeos.

The long overdue bill, titled, “The New York City Rodeo Bill“, was introduced in 2025 as Intro 1255 (2025) and State Assembly Bill 1557, sought to ban cruel rodeo practices like calf roping, electric prods, and flank straps by imposing significant fines and penalties for violations. With this new law, New York City might shift its national image of animal abuse in Rodeos towards reflecting a society that values humane treatment. Although not getting rid of Rodeos per say, the bill does introduce humane practices during Rodeo events throughout New York.

In December 2025, the bill was reportedly halted by City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams by scheduling the bills mandatory hearing on New Year’s Eve, preventing a vote before the year’s end. It remains waiting in Committee Assembly. Voters For Animal Rights (VFAR) plans to reintroduce the bill in the new 2026 City Council session.

However, given the amount of revenue Rodeos provide to the city at their sold out Madison Square Garden Professional Bull Riders events every year, or large wealthy groups­­––with millions of members––silence in promoting the bill, and as  the bill continues to die in various versions (2019-2020: A8554; 2021-2022: A2124; and 2023-2024: A575), there is not much hope that it will pass anytime soon.

In fact, I often find many legislators spend their time, energy, staff, and money trying to “stop cruelty to animals” in a State or industry that not only hides the abuses it engages in, but the laws they create tent to be ghosted, as they are created with the knowledge that there is no means of follow through by the State on convictions for the alleged abuse. Often giving the impression that they are appeasing the public with no real substance behind their decisions. Yet, if the bill had passed, it might have set rodeo standards in the US that animal cruelty in rodeos would not be tolerated or allowed —- if we can find the means to follow through on those who committed those convictions.