An Entertainment Abuses Article used with permission from All-Creatures.org

Despite Pittsburgh banning the use of harmful equipment in rodeos in 1992, the city's PPG Paints Arena will be hosting Professional Bull Riders next month, an organization that uses such equipment in their events. Check out the informative and persuasive letter signed by more than fifty animal protection groups urging sponsors to withdraw support from PPG Paints Arena.

PPG Paints Arena Partners Face Pressure From 50+ Animal Protection Groups: Stop Supporting Animal Abuse!
From Matthew A. King, President, Christian Animal Rights Association (CARA), ChristianAnimalRights.com
January 2026

bull being ridden and Pittsburgh
Bull riding image by Clarence Alford from Pixabay. Other elements from Canva

“Partnering with PPG Paints Arena endorses animal abuse!” That’s the message behind a petition (available here) signed by a coalition of 50+ animal protection organizations who are calling on all partners of PPG Paints Arena to cut ties with the venue.

The petition points out that PPG Paints Arena is hosting Professional Bull Riders (PBR) on February 13th–14th, 2026. These events cause fear, stress, and panic to the bulls. Bull-riding uses ‘flank straps,’ which are cinched around the animals’ sensitive abdomens, to produce an exaggerated bucking behavior through discomfort, irritation, and annoyance.

“Bulls are tormented, terrified, stressed, and frightened, all for the mere sake of human amusement. No company should want to be associated with cruelty. We’re calling on all PPG Paints Arena partners to cut ties with the venue immediately,” says CARA President Matthew A. King.

Current Partners of PPG Paints Arena:

84 Lumber

Coca Cola: Zero Sugar

Dick’s Sporting Goods

FedEx

First National Bank

Ford

Highmark

Oak View Group

PPG

Rivers Casino Pittsburgh

UPMC

Please Stop Partnering with PPG Paints Arena

Pittsburgh banned the use of harmful equipment in rodeos back in 1992 after a bull broke his leg at a rodeo and had to be euthanized. Professional Bull Riders (PBR) uses harmful rodeo equipment (like the flank strap) and paid a lobbying firm over $22,000 to get language inserted into the PA fiscal code that allows PBR to come into Pittsburgh despite the ban on harmful equipment (preemption). (1) Pittsburgh residents are justifiably outraged, as they were not consulted on this preemption, and it was done at the behest of corporate lobbying over the desires of Pennsylvania voters. The Pittsburgh City Council even passed a 'Will of Council,' which requests that the Pennsylvania legislature remove the preemption and permit Pittsburgh to reinstate its ban on harmful rodeo equipment. (2) PPG Paints Arena currently hosts Professional Bull Riders (PBR). Their next scheduled event is February 13th–14th, 2026.

We, the undersigned organizations, urge [company] to publicly commit to no longer partnering with PPG Paints Arena. Partnering with PPG Paints Arena connects your brand to the suffering of animals for the mere sake of entertainment.

A. The bucking seen in these animals causes a great deal of long-term damage to their spines and pelvises. For instance, a 2017 study concluded, ‘Results indicated bucking bulls were more likely than nonbucking bulls to develop horn and sinus disorders and musculoskeletal disorders of the vertebral region and pelvic limbs.' (3)

B. One notable source states, ‘Based on observed behaviour, the evidence indicates that bull riding is a stressful, frightening experience for the bull: there is no evidence that the bulls ‘enjoy’ the experience.’ (4)

C. Another source states, ‘...cattle are prey animals and their reaction to being ridden in this way is the same as their reaction to being attacked by a predator, a situation where they experience increased fear, stress and panic.’ (5)

D. An entire veterinary coalition stated, ‘Behaviours indicating distress during bucking events include...excessive, mucoid salivation, tail swishing, fixed stare, mouth gaping and tongue protrusion in bulls.’ (6) These are very common symptoms one can see at PBR events.

E. Professional Bull Riders (PBR) uses flank straps on the animals. Bulls do not buck in such an exaggerated fashion like this naturally – they do it because of the ‘flank strap’ – also known as the ‘flank rope.’ The strap is cinched around the animal's sensitive abdomen. This strap is designed to annoy the bull and cause them to try to kick it off – which results in an exaggerated bucking behavior. Several studies indicate this:

A study regarding bull-riding: ‘There is likely to be discomfort or irritation from the flank strap and the chest rope.’ (7)

One study puts it very bluntly: ‘The purpose of the flank rope is to produce an annoyance to the bull.’ (8)

F. Rodeos (including bull-riding) are so cruel that even former athletes have spoken out against them. For instance, the former bronc-rider turned veterinarian, Peggy W. Larson, stated, "Drawing on all of this expertise and experience, I can confidently say that rodeo is a cruel and archaic form of entertainment that should be outlawed." (9)

G. An entire veterinary coalition states: ‘In contrast to this, rodeos normalise cruelty, supported by the legality and promotion of these events.... The inherent nature of rodeo events results in animal cruelty.’ (10)

H. ‘The German Association of Veterinarians for the Protection of Animals analysed video footage of bucking behaviour and recommended that bull riding should be prohibited.’ (10)

I. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) states: ‘All rodeo events will cause stress, fear and pain as well as injure animals for the sake of sport and entertainment. Subjecting cattle ... to these experiences is not justified.’ (11)

J. Bulls have suffered fatal injuries and PBR has been documented as lying about the fate of the bulls they have injured and killed. (12)

H. At one of PBR’s events in 2022, a bull ended up with a fractured leg and then was dragged from the site with a rope around his legs and neck. (13)

Why [company] must no longer partner with PPG Paints Arena:

Your partnership ties your brand to an event that has a documented pattern of animal cruelty and suffering.

Your partnership links your brand to bull-riding, which is inherently harmful, dangerous, and distressing to animals.

Your partnership ties your brand to an organization that is hosting an event against the will of Pittsburgh residents. This city has had a ban on harmful rodeo equipment for over 30 years, but the state preempted it against Pittsburgh's wishes.

Your partnership links your brand to corrupt corporate lobbying over democracy and the will of Pennsylvania voters.

For these reasons, we strongly urge [company] to publicly decline further partnership with PPG Paints Arena and show consumers that your company stands for compassion, responsibility, humane values, and the democratic process.

Pittsburgh Animal Defenders
Humane Action Pennsylvania
Revolution Philadelphia
Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary
Christian Animal Rights Association
Project Animal Freedom
Last Chance for Animals
Associated Humane Societies
World Animal Protection
Animal Outlook
Social Compassion in Legislation
Iowa Farm Sanctuary
Rise for Animals
Columbus Animal Advocates
Out to Pasture Animal Sanctuary
Pigsburgh Squealers Rescue
New Hampshire Animal Rights League
Strategic Action For Animals
Animal Protection Affiliates
Animal Activism Collective
Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA)
Western Massachusetts Animal Rights Advocates (WMARA)
Peaceful Planet Foundation
League of Humane Voters - Georgia
ACTION FOR ANIMALS, Oakland, CA
Animal Alliance Network
Direct Action Everywhere (DXE)/Berkeley Animal Rights Center
In Defense of Animals
The Partnership to Ban Horse Carriages Worldwide
Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages
Compassionate & Responsible Tourism
Compassionate Alliance for Nonhumans (CAN)
Center For Ethical Science (CFES)
Chicago Alliance for Animals (CAA)
Animal Interfaith Alliance
Ballydídean Farm Sanctuary
Ban Horse Carriages
Positive Change For Animals
Unity Farm Sanctuary
Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary
Lloyd & Floyd’s Farm Sanctuary
Sanctuary Education Advisory Specialists (SEAS)
Palm Springs Animal Shelter
NYCLASS
Humane Long Island
Voters For Animal Rights
Coalition for NYC Animals
Animal Protection League of New Jersey
Nevada Paws - The Link
Ban Horse Carriages Dallas
TheirTurn
Humane Voters of Washington

Posted on All-Creatures.org: January 26, 2026
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An Entertainment Abuses Article used with permission from All-Creatures.org

PPG Paints Arena Partners Face Pressure From 50+ Animal Protection Groups: Stop Supporting Animal Abuse! From Matthew A. King, President, Christian Animal Rights Association (CARA), ChristianAnimalRights.com January 2026

Please Stop Partnering with PPG Paints Arena

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PPG Paints Arena Partners Face Pressure From 50+ Animal Protection Groups: Stop Supporting Animal Abuse!
From Matthew A. King, President, Christian Animal Rights Association (CARA), ChristianAnimalRights.com
January 2026