The Rodeo Finals for the Year or Forever?

The Animal Justice League NZ is hosting their last anti-rodeo demonstration for the season outside the Wanaka National Finals Rodeo today.

“We are protesting today to represent the majority of Kiwis who want to see rodeos banned in NZ and to take a stand against the animal abuse involved in rodeos”, stated Animal Justice League Spokesperson, Holly Button.

A Horizon Research poll commissioned by the SPCA in 2016 showed that a majority of Kiwis supported a ban on rodeo.1

Green MP Gareth Hughes is also attending the protest to show his support for a ban on rodeo. “Rodeo is a cruel and outdated form of entertainment and harming animals has no place in modern New Zealand", Gareth Hughes stated when asked why he was attending the event.

“While we are thrilled that our new Labour-led Government has announced plans to review rodeos in NZ, we are hoping that they follow through with their pre-election promises. These include banning the use of animals younger than one-year-old, banning flank straps, electric prodders & rope burning”, added Miss Button.

“Despite what pro-rodeo spokespeople claim, there is scientific evidence proving that rodeos are cruel to animals. A report commissioned by an Australian Rodeo Association in 2016 concluded that calf roping causes an “acute stress response. In reality, rodeos wouldn’t function if the animals weren’t experiencing pain, discomfort, stress or fear”, said Miss Button.

“Rodeos are not entertainment, they are animal abuse, and it’s time that NZ law was updated to reflect this and protect animals from having to endure another season of this cruelty. We hope that the government listens to public opinion and bans rodeos for good", added Button.

The Animal Justice League are inviting members of the public to come and join them at the demonstration at 12.30pm Sunday 11th March outside the Wanaka Rodeo Grounds. More details can be found on the Facebook event – https://www.facebook.com/events/1806106143019027/

1. https://www.rnzspca.org.nz/news/38-press-releases/408-survey-shows-many-kiwis-support-rodeo-ban

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