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Pamela Anderson tweets her opposition to the Chilliwack rodeo

Shutterstock Pamela Anderson Actress and model Pamela Anderson has added her voice to a campaign against rodeo events at the Chilliwack Fair, which starts on Friday, August 10. Anderson, who was born in Ladysmith, B.C.

 Shutterstock Pamela AndersonShutterstock Pamela Anderson

Actress and model Pamela Anderson has added her voice to a campaign against rodeo events at the Chilliwack Fair, which starts on Friday, August 10.

Anderson, who was born in Ladysmith, B.C., tweeted her support for the Vancouver Humane Society's (VHS) campaign calling for an end to "rodeo cruelty in Chilliwack."

The actress has a history of animal rights activism -- participating in People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals (PETA) campaigns and is on the Board of Directors for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

"We appreciate Ms. Anderson's support and acknowledgment of the inherent cruelty involved," says VHS spokesperson Peter Fricker.

VHS has been calling for an end to rodeo events including calf-roping, steer-wrestling and team-roping at and urging local businesses and residents not to support the event.

"There is no doubt that animals suffer in rodeos and people who care about animals should take a stand against the cruelty involved," he says.

The Chilliwack Fair has created a petition to support its "right" to host an annual rodeo as a direct response to the VHS campaign that has garnered over 950 signatures.

This year marks the 30th rodeo hosted by the Chilliwack Rodeo Association at the 146th annual Chilliwack Fair.

On the petition page, the Chilliwack Fair writes that the rodeo has an "excellent safety record and meets or exceeds all British Columbia Rodeo Association rules and regulations."

"It is the first rodeo in B.C. to implement the new 'Calgary Rules' to protect animals. In 2018 the City of Chilliwack built a new $100,000 rodeo arena with state of the art chutes and stalls to further improve safety for livestock and people," the statement reads.

 Calf roping at the 2016 Chilliwack Fair rodeo Photo VHSCalf roping at the 2016 Chilliwack Fair rodeo

The Fraser Valley Animal Rights Association is also planning to hold a peaceful protest against the rodeo by the main entrance to the at the Chilliwack Exhibition Grounds on August 12.

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