29 January 2019
SAFE and animal experts publish open letter to Government demanding ban on cruellest parts of rodeo

Twenty-four veterinarians, animal welfare authorities, and law experts have signed an open letter supporting SAFE’s demands that the Labour-led Government upholds its pre-election promise to ban the cruellest aspects of rodeo.

The open letter published in today’s New Zealand Herald urges the Government to ban the use of flank straps, calves under 12 months of age, electric prods and rope burning at rodeo events. Labour promised to ban all of these during their pre-election campaign but have failed to uphold that commitment.

SAFE Head of Campaigns Marianne Macdonald says, considering 15 months have passed since Labour came to power, it’s time for urgent regulatory intervention.

“The Labour party promised a ban on the use of flank straps, young calves, electric prods and rope burning at rodeo events over a year ago. It’s time the Government honours that promise and urgently acts to end these practices,” says Ms Macdonald.

“An event where a young calf is chased, wrenched to a halt with a choking rope around his neck, then thrown to the ground, is pure animal abuse. Furthermore, otherwise docile horses and bulls are forced into aggressive behaviour by painful or irritating means such as flank straps, electric prods and rope burning. All this is inflicted on animals for the entertainment of a minority.”

Rodeo has garnered significant media attention in recent weeks after rodeo spectators assaulted people attempting to film animal cruelty at the Mid-Northern Rodeo. A cover-up was also exposed when it was revealed a horse died at the Gisborne rodeo, two weeks after the organisers confirmed a bull was killed at the same rodeo.

“Rodeo events are a disturbing exhibition of human dominance over animals, and the voices who have joined SAFE in this open letter add considerable weight to demands for an end to these practices,” says Ms Macdonald.

“Caring Kiwis have had enough of the bullying of animals by so-called ‘cowboys’. Research shows that the majority of New Zealanders support a rodeo ban. SAFE and other animal groups have been exposing the cruelty that occurs at rodeo events for years. It’s imperative that the Government listens to this expert advice and the wishes of animal lovers.”

• Background Notes for Editor Link to the open letter.

• Hi-res photos and footage of rodeo cruelty.

• The open letter has been signed by: Bob Kerridge ONZM, KStJ, JP, FNZIM, BAppAnTech., Animal Welfarist Dr Jane Goodall DBE, Founder - the Jane Goodall Institute, UN Messenger of Peace Catriona MacLennan, Barrister, Animal Agenda Aotearoa Cassandra Kenworthy LLB (Hons), BSc, Vice President New Zealand Animal Law Association Dr Melanie Vivian, CEO & Co-Founder - the Jane Goodall Institute New Zealand Ben Pearson, Senior Campaign Manager, World Animal Protection Prof. Annie Potts, Director New Zealand Centre for Human-Animal Studies, University of Canterbury Prof. Philip Armstrong, President of the Australasian Animal Studies Association (AASA), University of Canterbury Dr Jean-Jacques Kona-Boun DVM, MSc, DACVAA Dr Nicki Shackleton BSc, BVSc (Distinction), DACVP (Clinical Veterinary Pathology) Dr Jess Beer BVSc, MANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour), Kiwi Vet Behaviour Dr Rhea Hurley BVSc, MANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour), Practice Director Vet Smart Dr Peggy W. Larson DVM, MS, JD Dr Estelle Louarduzzi BVSc, MANZCVS (Small Animal Medicine) Dr Rosalind Holland BVSc, MVM, MANZCVS (Emergency and Critical Care) Dr Sarah Dodd BVSc, MSc Dr James Wickham BVSc, Practice Director CoroVets Dr Lyndell Olley BSc (Hons), BVSc Dr Berend Westera BVSc, BD M. B. Rodriguez Ferrere, Faculty of Law, University of Otago Dr Alain Roy, Professor of Law Prof. Peter Sankoff, Professor of Law Dr Clive Dalton, Agricultural Scientist, retired Dr Marc Bekoff PhD, Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

SAFE is New Zealand’s leading animal rights organisation.
We're working towards a world where animals are understood and respected in such a way that they are no longer exploited, abused or made to suffer.

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