Action Alerts
Protest Live Rooster Pull
Certain Native American pueblos (villages) in New Mexico have a Spanish "tradition" of "fighting with a rooster," a dismemberment ritual in which a live rooster is reportedly buried in the plaza with his head exposed and riders on horseback try to pull him out of the ground and fight over him. More than one bird may be used. The "rooster pull" was advertised as a tourist attraction under Native American Events in the June 1994 issue of On the Scene Magazine in Albuquerque. At least four roosters were agonizingly dismembered in June 1994 if the events were conducted at the Acoma Pueblo and the Jemez Pueblo as advertised.
What Can I Do?
Contact: James Hena, ChairmanThe All Indian Pueblo Counsel
3939 San Pedro Drive, NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110
1-505-881-1992
Tell Mr. Hena to discontinue the "rooster pull" immediately. Tell him that "culture" does not excuse cruelty and that pulling a live rooster apart for tourists (or any other reason) is not acceptable human behavior. If they want to do something along this line for money or as a symbol, they can use a doll.
Tell Chamber to Cancel Duck Race
For the past 13 years at a city-wide festival in August, the Deming, New Mexico Chamber of Commerce has sponsored a duck race in which ducks dressed in costumes are prodded into racing down a 17-ft. track. The ducks may be privately owned or rented from the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber denies that any of the ducks are harmed, but eye witnesses report: some ducks are trained with cattle prods; no water is provided for the costumed ducks in the desert heat; the judges violently shake and slap ducks prior to the race to terrorize them to run; many ducks are taken to Burn Lake after the race and dumped with broken legs and wings; others are dumped along the desert road; others are taken from the lake and used to train pit bulls to fight; other are killed and left in dumpsters and motel rooms.
What Can I Do?
- Protest:
Linda Stevens
Deming Chamber of Commerce
800 E. Pine
Deming, NM 88038
ph: 1-800-848-4955
fax: 505-546-9569
Contact the local newspaper:
The Deming Headlight
219 E. Maple
Deming, NM 88038
fax: 505-546-8116
Urge fresh forms of entertainment based on the voluntary consent and understanding of all participants. - Protest: American Airlines
Corporate Communications
PO Box 619616
Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, TX 75261-9616
Tell them to terminate their indirect sponsorship of the Deming Duck Race. American Airlines Managing Director of Client Services, Gus Whitcomb, told UPC, "I have asked our sales representative to seriously reevaluate our participation in this event in the future." Tell them to end all participation and to advise you in writing of their decision.