SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Petco Park is once again hosting the San Diego Rodeo, but not without controversy. The inaugural event in January sparked both support and protests, and with the recent announcement of its return, there's a push to change the rules of the rodeo entirely – reigniting debate, with advocates highlighting the event's cultural importance, while critics call attention to concerns of animal cruelty. Amit Dhuleshia, co-founder of Strategic Action for Animals, is working with city leaders to end what he describes as a cruel and unnecessary event. He recalled an incident where a 6-year-old horse “Waco Kid” threw its rider and crashed into a fence during the inaugural event in January.  “He was laying there twitching before he was carted out," Dhuleshia said. “These animals are not used to being surrounded by so many spectators, they are new to the environment.” San Diego Rodeo to return to Petco Park in 2025 However, rodeo advocates defend the event, stating the animals are well-cared for and bred for their roles. “They are better taken care of probably than half of the saddle horses in San Diego County,” said Susie Mills of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Advocates also stress that banning the event threatens a tradition honoring Hispanic and Indigenous cultures. “It’s a culture of helping one another, it’s a culture of being a family,” said Betty Washburn of the Lakeside Rodeo Association. Video: Bull hops fence, injures 3 people at Oregon rodeo Councilmember Kent Lee, who initially proposed a ban on rodeos in January, is now working with animal-rights groups to draft an animal welfare ordinance. The proposal has shifted away from an outright ban and is focused on preventing animal mistreatment in city-owned facilities, including Petco Park. In a statement, Lee said: "The City should not be in the business of profiting from inhumane animal practices, and I was disappointed to learn that this event has been scheduled at Petco Park. The timing of our proposal will not be decided by any one event, and we continue to work collaboratively with the San Diego Humane Society, animal welfare advocates, and other civic leaders to bring forward an animal welfare ordinance this year. Once in effect, this ordinance will help to prevent the continued mistreatment of animals for entertainment, a practice we should not encourage or promote in City-owned facilities such as Petco Park." What happens when you cross rodeo with skiing? The ordinance mirrors a similar one in Los Angeles, which aims to respect rodeo culture while eliminating events deemed harmful to animals. Washburn, however, remains firm in her defense of the rodeo. “We’re not making it do anything, that’s what it wants to do, it wouldn’t be there if it didn’t want to do it,” she said. At this time, the status of the ordinance remains unclear. It is yet to be determined whether the new proposal will call for an outright ban or simply modifications to future rodeos.