12th November 2018

SAFE is deeply frustrated that a rodeo will take place at the Omahu Valley Parklee Bullride next weekend despite widespread calls for a ban of the practice during this rodeo season.

The bullride on November 24, is one of a series of rodeo events set to take place around the country.

SAFE’s Head of Campaigns, Marianne Macdonald, says rodeo participants abuse animals in the name of ‘entertainment’.

“The bulls made to perform in rodeo events are tame and normally docile animals, often riled up to give an aggressive display, before being forced into the ring. Bulls are strapped around their hindquarters with a tight ‘flank strap’ which causes them to buck.

“The flank strap is pulled tight just before the bull is forced into the ring. They buck wildly trying to rid themselves of this severe irritation. When the strap comes loose, the animal calms down. If flank straps were banned - as our Labour Government promised pre-election - there would be no bullrides.”

The rodeo season has already had its first casualty, when a horse was killed during a horrific incident at the Methven Rodeo last month. This was only weeks after the New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association introduced new ‘suggested practices’ in response to growing animal welfare concerns at rodeo events.

“Despite the new suggested practices, animal welfare has clearly not been adequately addressed. Even when animals aren’t killed, they endure significant pain and distress,” adds Marianne.

“Rodeo is condemned in New Zealand and internationally by vets and animal welfare experts. The recent NAWAC report on rodeo events stated that bullride events have a variety of negative impacts on the bulls forced into the ring, and the Greens and Labour both have policies reflecting the tide of public opinion, which is increasingly turning against rodeo cruelty.”

SAFE is calling on Omahu Valley residents to avoid the upcoming bullride and encourages all Kiwis concerned about animal cruelty to email the Prime Minister to demand rodeo be banned.

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