Pie in face PETA’s award for Miss Rodeo

Sunday, Dec. 5, 1999 | 3:30 a.m.

Minutes after being crowned Miss Rodeo America 2000, Brandy DeJongh had a chocolate tofu "cow pie" smashed in her face.

Dawn Carr, a member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, was briefly detained after the pie-throwing Saturday at the Flamingo Hotel. Also detained was Miss Rodeo America's father, Dana DeJongh, a Los Angeles police officer.

"He's a proud papa and he did what he had to do to protect me," the 21-year-old DeJongh of Leona Valley, Calif., said. "It's such a special day and I'm not going to let something like this bother me. I just washed it off."

Neither Carr nor the elder DeJongh were in custody Sunday at the Clark County jail. It was unknown whether they were cited for any violation.

Arlene Kensinger, Miss Rodeo America coordinator, said it was the first time PETA has protested its pageant. The group annually protests the National Finals Rodeo, claiming the sport exploits animals.

The pageant is held in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo, which brings the top cowboys to Las Vegas for 10 nights of competition.

PETA president Ingrid Newkirk said in a statement that DeJongh should turn in her crown for promoting cruelty to animals.

"Now that she's got pie on her face, we hope Miss Rodeo America will find a little compassion in her heart," Newkirk said.

DeJongh, who owns two quarterhorses, said she won't change her mind.

"Everyone's entitled to their own opinion," she said.