12-year-old crushed while bull riding in Adrian, grandparents want laws changed

Grandparents of a 12-year-old boy crushed while bull riding are struggling to understand how this business practice is even legal.

"These are professionally bred bloodline bulls," said William Payne, his grandfather.

William and Wendy Payne were mortified to hear their 12-year-old grandson Brandon was nearly crushed to death while riding a large bull two weeks ago at an arena in Adrian.

"Either the bull stepped on him or the bull rolled halfway over on him," William said. "A 1,400 pound bull, rolling on a 105 pound 12 year old."

Brandon was one of many competing for prize money at the 3 Bar B Rodeo Company, when he took a fall and the bull landed on top of him, crushing his torso. 

He lost a kidney, and most of the function in his spleen, pancreas, and one lung. He is still recovering at Mott Children's hospital in Ann Arbor.

"They had no medical staff on site -- it was a 20 to 30 minute ambulance wait," William said.

The concerned grandparents said there were no rules or regulations for Brandon to ride, as long as his mom signed a waiver. While they wait to see if the 12-year-old will ever fully recover, they are reaching out to lawmakers to push for change.

"Before a minor's life is lost or another minor has to endure an accident like this that my grandson is going through now," William said.

FOX 2 reached out to the 3 Bar B Rodeo Company to ask if they'll still be offering bull riding to children, but have yet to receive a response.

We also reached out to Brandon's mother, who we're told, still wants Brandon and her three other sons to continue bull riding in the future. We have not been able to get in touch with her either.