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A cowboy has been killed during a rodeo in Brazil, after he was thrown from a bull he was trying to ride, then trampled by the animal.
Giliard Antonio, 24, who was taking part in the Monster Energy Professional Bull Riders event on Sunday night, was returning to the sport after a crushed pelvis left him in a wheelchair for around a year.
Footage shows Antonio being flung to the floor, then briefly standing up, before losing consciousness and falling to the ground. According to reports, paramedics tried to revive him for 40 minutes, but he was declared dead on arrival at hospital. An autopsy said he suffered a trauma to the chest with heart and lung injury leading to death’.
‘Tormented’
According to a blog posted by animal rights charity PETA: “Giliard Antonio was killed after his hand became caught in a flank, or ‘bucking’ strap – a rope that’s tightly cinched around the bulls’ abdomens, which causes them to buck vigorously in an attempt to rid themselves of the irritation.”
The charity adds that animals are ‘tormented’ in order to perform in this way, saying: “Bulls today are bred to be bigger and stronger than ever before. These animals aren’t naturally aggressive – they’re physically tormented into displaying ‘wild’ types of behavior in order to make the cowboys look brave.
“Electric prods, spurs, and bucking straps are used to irritate and enrage these animals in rodeos.”
The accident was caught on camera
Tragic legacy
Organizers the Professional Bull Riders of Brazil [PBR] – who continued the event after the accident – released a statement saying: “All necessary procedures were taken by the on-site medical staff. We are giving support to the family.”
According to PETA: “Unfortunately, Antonio’s daughter will grow up fatherless because tormenting bulls is somehow still culturally acceptable.
“We hope his tragic legacy will remind people that animals want to be left alone and allowed to enjoy their lives – just as humans do.”
