SAN DIEGO -- During the last month, members of the San Diego Animal Advocates have attended rodeos not as spectators but to document what they call abuse.

Some of the video they captured is hard to watch, but they want people who see it to get an understanding about what happens to animals during a rodeo.

"The animals aren't willing participants. They're treated as athletic equipment, (and they) should not be treating animals like this, especially the babies," said Megan Sewell, a member of the San Diego Animal Advocates.

Sewell and other members recorded images at the Lakeside Rodeo, the Iron Horse Pro Rodeo Shoot Out and the Ramona Rodeo.

"Most people probably don't go to rodeos. (The) percentage is probably very low. People who do go to rodeos don't see exactly what happens," said Sewell.

Sewell said they went behind the scenes to see what most people never get to.

"They don't see animals getting hit, they don't see them getting kicked and (they) don't see what happens afterwards," said Sewell.

Sewell said many of the animals suffer from injuries.

"Many of these animals suffer broken bones, broken ribs, legs or necks, ruptured tracheas and punctured lungs. (It's a) terrible price to pay for entertainment," said Sewell. "Usually if they suffer a broken bone or any other problems, they are generally euthanized. There's no laws about humane euthanasia."

In the past people who run rodeos have said the events are a tradition in the United States, and that they do take care of the animals because without them there would be no rodeos.

10News tried to get a hold of the people who run the Lakeside Rodeo and the Pro Rodeo Shoot Out about the video.

But Iron Horse, which puts on the Pro Rodeo Shoot Out has a Web site. It says on the site "they take the greatest care to prevent injury to animals."

Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-sanctioned sanctioned rodeos have 60 rules that were implemented to provide for the proper care and treatment of livestock at PRCA sanctioned events. One of these rules require a veterinarian on-site at all rodeos, all three rodeos mentioned in the report had a large animal veterinarian on-site for all competitions. The PRCA regularly surveys veterinarians to insure the rules are effective and the rate of injury is low. The latest survey, published in 2004, showed the rate of injury .0004. This survey included 198 rodeo performances and 78 sections of non-performance competition and the on-site veterinarians reported 27 injuries recorded out of 60, 071 animal exposures. The PRCA and our sanctioning rodeos believe in animal welfare -- that is we have the right to interact with animals in entertainment, sport and recreation, but along with that right we must provide proper care and handling.