SAFE and the Animal Justice League protest at Rodeo National Finals

SAFE and the Animal Justice League protested at the Rodeo National Finals in North Canterbury today, as another season of animal cruelty and deaths nears its end.

The protest, which was supported by World Animal Protection, HUHA, and Farmwatch, took place outside the Rodeo National Finals at the Mandeville Sports Grounds this morning at 10am. The groups are highlighting the continued abuse of animals across the country every summer, which this season has resulted in three animals being killed at the hands of rodeo cowboys.

SAFE spokesperson Will Appelbe says animals are being killed, abused and bullied, and rodeo cruelty needs to be urgently banned.

“When a calf, horse, steer or bull is forced into the rodeo ring, they are routinely stressed and frightened, and run the risk of severe injury and even death. These events are built upon animal abuse and cruelty,” says Mr Appelbe.

Animal Justice League spokesperson Tara Jackson says, “We are here to be the voice for animals tormented in rodeo and to encourage Labour to follow through with their pre-election promise to take action on rodeo animal abuse. Kiwi's were promised a ban on the five cruellest aspects of rodeo, and government action to make this change is long overdue.”

"Today we had a tourist come speak to us, unaware of the cruelty inherent at rodeo events, who was planning on attending today's rodeo. They were shocked to see the footage we had of young calves being abused in the calf rope & tie event. They were moved to tears and chose not to attend. This goes to show that most people don't stand for this animal cruelty."

At the Waikato Rodeo earlier last month, Green MP Gareth Hughes announced his Member’s Bill that intends to ban calf rope & tie, steer wrestling, and the use of flank straps.

“It’s appalling that this bullying of animals is still taking place in 2019. The North Canterbury Rodeo is one of the last events this season and we want to see this be the last season of rodeo cruelty,” says Mr Appelbe.

“Gareth Hughes’ Member’s Bill reflects parts of Labour’s pre-election promise. We encourage the Government to bring this Bill to the House as a Government Bill and end the barbaric treatment of animals in rodeo.”

© Scoop Media