Leavenworth County conditionally approves RJ Farms special use permit, bars steer tailing and horse tripping

The Leavenworth County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 2026-11, conditionally granting RJ Farms a special use permit to hold up to 15 events per year while adding explicit restrictions on certain livestock practices and requiring on-site veterinary oversight.

The board’s discussion centered on animal welfare, enforcement and whether the county could or should require compliance with Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) standards for events. Mr. Haro, the applicant, told the board a judge had instructed him to reapply and obtain a permit if he complied with requirements, saying, “Go and fill out the application and and if you comply get a permit.”

Why it matters: Neighbors and animal-welfare advocates accused some traditional charreada and rodeo practices of inflicting harm on animals; supporters and a fair-board representative said properly run events follow widely used veterinary and PRCA safeguards. Commissioners debated how to balance property rights and public safety while remaining within state law.

During public comment, a resident urged the board to treat the proposed events as a “spectacle” distinct from PRCA-sanctioned rodeos, asserting, “This is a spectacle. A spectacle no different than bear baiting, bull fighting, or dog fighting.” David Todd, speaking for the county fair, said fair rodeos follow PRCA standards and veterinary checks: “We always follow all the guidelines the PRCA standards are widely used … and we will not use contractor unless they adhere to all those regulations.”

County counsel and staff briefed the board on legal limits and enforcement: a county attorney observed that some acts (for example, horse tripping) are already illegal under state law, and that the county can impose SUP conditions but must ensure compliance with state statutes and licensing requirements. The board discussed insurance levels and the appropriate term for the permit; planning staff noted the planning commission recommended a three-year term, and commissioners considered 1-, 2- and 3-year options as part of compromise negotiations.

Final terms approved by the board include: adherence to the planning commission conditions, a requirement that a licensed veterinarian be on site at events, explicit prohibitions on horse tripping and steer tailing/steer tail pulling, and a limited multi-year permit term (the board adopted a compromise term during final votes). The SUP also reiterates compliance with applicable state and federal animal-health paperwork (for example, tests and transport rules), which staff said are the responsibility of animal owners and event hosts.

The board’s action followed multiple motions and amendments and came after sustained public comment from residents on both sides of the issue. The county’s decision does not replace state animal-cruelty law; staff said that if future local rules or an animal-cruelty resolution are adopted, permit holders would be required to comply with any new local requirements.

The board recorded the SUP discussion and vote as part of Resolution 2026-11. The motion included the additional conditions described above; staff will monitor compliance and the SUP remains subject to state and local law.

What’s next: The SUP will be administered under the conditions the board set; staff and the county attorney’s office will oversee compliance and enforcement. The board indicated it may pursue a broader animal-cruelty resolution in the future to set uniform standards across the county.