Animal rights activists call for event ban after bull riding death

Following the death of a bull at yesterday evening’s ‘Professional Bull Riders’ (PBR) event held in Christchurch, animal welfare advocates from SAFE are demanding for the event to be banned from New Zealand forever.

“It is absolutely appalling that a bull lost his life for the sake of frivolous entertainment,” says Hans Kriek, exective director. “Not only do these animals endure stress and fear, they also risk injury and death every time they go out. Events like these are inherently cruel.”

SAFE says PBR organisers have showed their callous attitude to the animals, by not even acknowledging the bull’s death. “All we’ve heard since yesterday is them congratulating themselves on what a great night was had by all,” says Mr Kriek.

Earlier this month a new code of welfare for rodeo was released, which SAFE said was a sick joke. Even the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) admitted that they continue to have reservations about the performance of rodeos.

SAFE believes rodeos are in breach of New Zealand's Animal Welfare Act which states that animals should be "physically handled in a manner which minimises the likelihood of unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress". Rodeo events however are based totally on asserting dominance, coercion, and cruel practices that force animals to 'perform'. SAFE says this is in total contradiction of the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act.

Last night 40 protestors joined SAFE outside the even, aiming to remind passersby and rodeo-goers that forcing terrified bulls to perform for the sake of entertainment is animal cruelty.

“Even worse, a bull has now died,” says Mr Kriek. “It is inevitable that archaic practices like this that abuse and kill animals for fun have got to go. Rodeo must be banned.”

ends

© Scoop Media