rodeo cruelty in new zealand
Over the 2014/2015 rodeo season, members of Farmwatch and a number of other dedicated volunteers attended several rodeos across New Zealand. At each event, we documented the treatment rodeo animals received. You may not have known that rodeo is active in New Zealand and that there are dozens of events every year providing "entertainment" across the country. For the animals forced to participate, it's not entertaining at all. It's pain, fear and distress that no amount of entertainment could ever justify.
If you have been to a rodeo, you could be forgiven for perceiving rodeo as a fun family day out. But the truth is dark and cruel when you look behind the scenes. Officials go to great lengths to hide the violence from you. And disturbingly, we believe we only captured a fraction of the violence the rodeo animals experience.
Despite what any pro-rodeo person will tell you, the animals are not looked after better than children, are not treated like athletes and are not pampered. The animals were seen:
Additionally, rodeo animals are prone to back and neck injuries. In this season alone, two bulls suffered crippling injuries and died at the arena.
Rodeo officials regularly state with pride that the SPCA attends rodeos and find nothing wrong, claiming this as an indication that the animal welfare standards are acceptable. The SPCAs National Animals Welfare Policy states "The SPCA is opposed to the use of animals in rodeos". SPCAs Bob Kerridge goes into more detail:
“SPCA inspectors attending a rodeo is not in any way indicating our support of it. The SPCA has been consistent in its opposition to the ‘sport’ and has only one outcome in it’s sights: that is to have rodeos totally banned. We will not rest until a full ban is imposed.”
– Bob Kerridge, SPCA Auckland Executive Director, 2014.
The message is clear: Rodeos are legalised animal cruelty. It's traumatic for the animals. They don't want to be there, they don't want to buck and they certainly don't enjoy it. It's not entertainment, it's violence. Please don't support rodeo.
Farmwatch supports a total ban on rodeos in New Zealand. Visit the SAFE website to take action against rodeos.
The best way to help us put an end to this cruelty is to choose compassion over cruelty and stop eating animals! Visit goveg.kiwi.nz.
If you have been to a rodeo, you could be forgiven for perceiving rodeo as a fun family day out. But the truth is dark and cruel when you look behind the scenes. Officials go to great lengths to hide the violence from you. And disturbingly, we believe we only captured a fraction of the violence the rodeo animals experience.
Despite what any pro-rodeo person will tell you, the animals are not looked after better than children, are not treated like athletes and are not pampered. The animals were seen:
- punched
- kicked
- rope burned
- electric prodded
- choked
- cut
- salivating excessively, a sign of severe stress.
Additionally, rodeo animals are prone to back and neck injuries. In this season alone, two bulls suffered crippling injuries and died at the arena.
Rodeo officials regularly state with pride that the SPCA attends rodeos and find nothing wrong, claiming this as an indication that the animal welfare standards are acceptable. The SPCAs National Animals Welfare Policy states "The SPCA is opposed to the use of animals in rodeos". SPCAs Bob Kerridge goes into more detail:
“SPCA inspectors attending a rodeo is not in any way indicating our support of it. The SPCA has been consistent in its opposition to the ‘sport’ and has only one outcome in it’s sights: that is to have rodeos totally banned. We will not rest until a full ban is imposed.”
– Bob Kerridge, SPCA Auckland Executive Director, 2014.
The message is clear: Rodeos are legalised animal cruelty. It's traumatic for the animals. They don't want to be there, they don't want to buck and they certainly don't enjoy it. It's not entertainment, it's violence. Please don't support rodeo.
Farmwatch supports a total ban on rodeos in New Zealand. Visit the SAFE website to take action against rodeos.
The best way to help us put an end to this cruelty is to choose compassion over cruelty and stop eating animals! Visit goveg.kiwi.nz.