Press release: 16th January 2018

Tax Payers Keeping the Rodeo Alive

According to new information obtained via the Official Information Act by the Animal Justice League NZ, it has cost the taxpayer approximately $1.3 million in ACC claims for people who had injuries sustained during rodeo events, over the past five years.[1]

“Only 25% of Kiwis oppose a ban on rodeo,[2] yet the other 75% still have their taxes going towards rodeo cruelty. Rodeos hurt both animals and people, they need to be banned now before more people and animals are hurt and more money is spent to keep the abuse going,” said Animal Justice League Spokesperson, Daniel Challenger.

“Rodeos are consistently in breach of their already loose rules (the Rodeo Code of Welfare). They are reckless towards animals and judging by the document from ACC, they are also reckless with their own safety. Why should the taxpayer been penalised for this?,” added Challenger.

“This isn’t like a real sport such as cycling. Not only is cycling not centred around animal abuse but from what we’ve observed, Rodeo cowboys don’t even have to wear helmets while taking part in events that have nearly a 100% crash rate. If cyclists have to wear helmets at all times, why don’t rodeo participants?” said Challenger.

“This type of spending from the government is totally unacceptable. There are so many other areas that this money could be better spent in. This is a huge injustice to the people of Aotearoa,” stated Challenger.

1. Information obtained from ACC under the Official Information Act (A copy of this is available upon request).

2. The Horizon Research poll commissioned by the SPCA in 2016 showing that only 25% of people oppose a rodeo ban - https://www.rnzspca.org.nz/news/38-press-releases/408-survey-shows-many-kiwis-support-rodeo-ban.

More info of interest:
During the last rodeo season, rodeo related ACC claims totalled $278,245. This is approximately $6624.90 per person according to the document obtained from ACC under the Official Information Act.
Rugby injuries for were the most expensive on record for ACC during 2016 according to this article - http://www.stuff.co.nz/…/Rough-rugby-tops-ACCs-sports-injur…
Yet the average ACC payout is substantially lower in rugby than rodeo at approximately $1254.50 Per person.

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