It's Pro Rodeo weekend here in Okotoks and while many residents are looking forward to the event, animal rights activists are voicing concerns over what they're calling an outdated and violent sport.

Gabriele Barrie, founder of the local Pound Rescue and animal activist, says she feels the sport of rodeo doesn't belong in our world anymore.

"Tying the animals up, catching them, sitting on them just to be bucked off, it just doesn't fit into our time any more. You don't take an animal and make it do something against its will by scaring it."

This year at the Calgary Stampede one horse was put down due to a broken leg from participating in the chuckwagon races.

Barrie used to protest rodeo events and says it's not even a question about fatalities, but rather animal rights.

"How many get killed vs. how many animals survive? To me that's not even the question, the real question is do we even have the right to scare them?"

Okotoks Pro Rodeo organizers and contractors say they understand the questions regarding animal safety and take multiple precautions to ensure the safety of their animals.

Trevor Reidy, marketing director of the Okotoks Pro Rodeo, says volunteers are constantly making sure there's adequate dirt in the arena and that it's not too hard or too soft to limit the chances of rolling or impact injuries to the livestock.

Wayne Vold, stock contractor for the rodeo, says livestock producers and rodeo organizers make their living off the quality of their animals.

"We care greatly for them and we will always have a veterinarian on hand if anything goes wrong because these animals are our livelihood and we need to take care of them, which is why we do take care of them. Often times they're taken care of better than some people's children or house pets."

Vold dispels rumors that rodeo horses are expendable or that organizers use cheap steeds in case they get injured, by pointing out the worth of many horses in his herd.

He says if you go to the bucking stock auction in Vegas, you'll understand how important these animals to can be to their owners.

"The best horses will bring in $70,000 - $80,000 and the ordinary horses can bring in $15,000 - $20,000 so they're not cheap merchandise," explains Vold. "I've got horses in my herd that I've paid a lot of money for, as in $50,000 and $60,000. You're certainly not going to abuse them when you're paying that kind of money."

The Okotoks Pro Rodeo will have a specialized veterinarian on site all weekend along with their specialized trailer that will act as an animal ambulance.

Reidy and Vold ensure spectators will see nothing but the best horses, cows and cowboys in their industry, while Barrie ensures us she won't be taking part and will side with others who are boycotting the event.

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com