Re “Cruel San Diego Rodeo returns to Petco Park for third year” (Dec. 19): Thank you for shining a much-needed light on the rodeo’s return. We wholeheartedly support this commentary calling out the inherent cruelty in rodeos and urging our community to reassess whether an event that puts animals under fear and physical strain truly reflects San Diego’s values of compassion and respect.
As public awareness grows around animal welfare, it’s clear that appealing to tradition cannot justify practices that cause unnecessary risk to horses, calves and steers. Many respected animal welfare organizations, including the San Diego Humane Society, have documented how legal standards often fall short of humane treatment — reminding us that just because something is lawful doesn’t make it ethical.
We urge our city leaders, the Padres organization and every resident who cares about our reputation as a compassionate city to work toward ending this spectacle. Let’s lead by example and pursue entertainment that celebrates our community without compromising the well-being of animals.
— Maria del Carmen & Luis Torres, Otay Mesa