— A bucking horse died Saturday night at Cowtown Rodeo from a natural, but rare medical condition, not from any form of cruelty, the rodeo’s owner says.

Duke, a nine-year-old male, died from aneurysm of his aorta, according to Grant Harris,

owner.

“I have never witnessed anything like this,” said Harris, the third generation owner of Cowtown Rodeo who grew up with and has worked with horses and other livestock all his life.

The group Showing Animals Respect and Kindness, also known as SHARK, Monday

In a version of the video, a grainy close-up image that is highlighted purports to show a “hotshot,” an electric prod, behind the chute as the animal exits.

claims Duke was secretly shocked with the prod.

Cowtown Rodeo is a professional rodeo sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

forbids the use of electric prods on any animals when they are inside the chutes.

Harris concurs with the rule. “I will not tolerate it,” he said.

Harris said he does have the electric prods, but only for emergency use such as in the case where a cowboy’s life could be in danger.

The ride for Duke Saturday night began normally.

With a cowboy aboard for the bareback riding event, Duke left Chute 9 and gave a good bucking performance. The cowboy stayed on Duke for the required eight seconds and then dismounted.

As the pickup men moved in on horseback to round up Duke and direct the horse to the arena exit, Duke staggered and then went down.

“We really didn’t know what was happening,” said Harris, who was on horseback in the arena.

Arena staff came to aid the horse which was on its side, its four legs and tail all still moving.

And then Duke “just slipped away,” Harris said.

Harris said a post-mortem by a veterinarian determined Duke suffered an aneurysm of the aorta. Harris said the horse had showed no symptoms of any medical problems.

SHARK is based in Geneva, Ill., and on its website says it “battles tirelessly against bullfighting, pigeon shoots, turkey shoots, canned hunts (and all hunting), rodeos, circuses, zoos, and marine parks... any issue that involves violation of the innate rights of living creatures.”

“This is an organization which has an agenda,” Harris said.

This statement was posted Monday on

:

“It is with great sadness that we have to report that our beloved horse Duke has passed away due to an aneurysm of his aorta blood vessel. Duke was 9 years old, born and raised at Cowtown. We are saddened by his sudden passing and trust that you all know how upset we are over this. Our vet has assured us that this had nothing to do with the rodeo event and it is a natural (although rare) occurrence to have a horse pass from this reason. Thank you everyone who has called and emailed us asking on the condition of the horse. Your condolences are appreciated by the Harris family.”

Cowtown Rodeo has been located in Pilesgrove Township in Salem County since the 1950s. Billed as the oldest weekly rodeo in the United States, Cowtown puts on weekly performances late May through September.

“You never want to see an animal hurt, or God forbid, die,” said Harris Monday. “This was an unforeseen, rare incident that couldn’t be predicted.”

Contact South Edition Editor Bill Gallo Jr. at 856-935-1500 ext. 432 or bgallo@southjerseymedia.com

