4.4. SR 04-07-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I. INTRODUCTION The Great Bull Run (hereafter the "Event") is a stylized rodeo production in which participants run with live rodeo bulls and steers down a course constructed of a dirt ground cover and rodeo paneling. The Event is similar to the annual Running of the Bulls event in Pamplona, Spain, but with significant safety enhancements to promote the health and welfare of the animals and participants involved. On August 24, 2013,The Great Bull Run LLC(hereafter"GBR LLC"), in partnership with The Lone Star Rodeo Company(hereafter"LSR"), intends to hold the Event at Virginia Motorsports Park in Petersburg, Virginia. GBR LLC and LSR (collectively, hereafter, the "Promoters") believe that the Event falls under an exemption of 9 CFR § 1.1 for purposes of defining the term "Exhibitor" pursuant to the Animal Welfare Act (hereafter, "AWA") and therefore a USDA Class C License is not necessary or appropriate. 9 CFR §§ 1.1 and 2.1,See also 7 USC§ 2132(h). Pursuant to 9 CFR § 1.1, the term "Exhibitor" "excludes . . . horse and dog races . . . fairs, livestock shows, rodeos,field trials, coursing events, purebred dog and cat shows and other fairs or exhibitions intended to advance the agricultural arts and sciences" from the licensing requirements of 9 CFR §§ 2.1. Id. The Event, which operates as a standard rodeo using animals that have been bred and trained specifically for rodeo activities, and where participants engage with the animals for the purpose of sport, clearly meets this definition and is similarly excluded. Indeed, GBR LLC contacted the Animal and Plant Health and Inspection Services (hereafter "APHIS") Officer responsible for United States Department of Agriculture (hereafter"USDA") oversight in Virginia and, after explaining the event in detail, was informed that, absent a USDA designation to the contrary, a Class C License was not necessary or appropriate for the Event because for all intents and purposes, and concerning all animal care and transportation, the Event operates as a rodeo. Id. Accordingly, as further explained below,the Promoters have taken all steps necessary to ensure the Event complies with all local, state and federal laws governing rodeos or similar events excluded from the definition of "Exhibitor." Based on the following,the Promoters respectfully request a clarification of 9 CFR § 1.1 as it refers to the term "Exhibitor" and a designation of the Event as a "rodeo," or activity excluded from the definition of"Exhibitor" pursuant to that section, that will operate in accordance with all local, state and federal laws concerning such events. II. FACTS a. About The Event The Event is a one day event in which participants run down a dirt lane lined with rodeo paneling alongside bulls and steers in a reproduction of The Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain. However, unlike in Spain,the animals will not be killed after the Event. The animals will not be harassed, hit, prodded or otherwise mistreated during the Event. Indeed,the event is safer for the animals and participants than the bull riding activities of certain rodeos. Also, there will be a team of 2