Auckland Council Bypasses Public, Ditches Rodeo Ban

The Auckland Council has announced that they are abandoning the rodeo ban on council land, put into place in 2008. This was done with virtually no consultation, says SAFE, the animal advocacy organisation.

“We are horrified that the Auckland council is not even considering the public’s opinion on this important issue,” says head of campaigns Mandy Carter. “Animals are going to suffer as a result of this decision if the rodeo comes back.”

The new Supercity council has claimed that the law does not provide for councils taking action on animal welfare. However, the former Auckland City Council had implemented a ban on rodeos on public land, after public outcry in 2008.

“By overturning the existing rodeo ban without properly consulting the public and without discussing options, they are clearly trying to keep the public away from this issue,” says Ms. Carter.

Auckland's only annual rodeo is held in Warkworth. Earlier this year footage shot by investigators at the Huntly rodeo showed rough treatment, especially of young animals, at rodeo. Men were observed grabbing, yanking and shoving baby calves, horses and bulls were slammed into fences, calves roped and slammed into the ground at high speeds and a bull kicked in the head and neck.

SAFE says subjecting animals to fear, stress, risk of injury and death, all for the sake of entertainment must be stopped.
“It’s wrong to subject animals to pain and distress for entertainment,” says Mandy Carter, “and it is shocking that the council has changed the rules without consulting the public.”

SAFE will be investigating the Council’s handling of the issue.

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