A joint petition calling for an end to rodeo will be presented at Parliament today by animal advocacy organisations SAFE, SPCA and Farmwatch.
The groups say the petition has over 60,000 signatures and will be handed to Green MP, Mojo Mathers just after midday outside parliament.
As the rodeo season draws to a close, the groups are calling for the Government to make it the last season in the country.
Ric Odom, National Chief Executive of the SPCA, says, “The purpose of the Animal Welfare Act 1999 is to protect every animal in New Zealand from cruelty, yet rodeo animals are subjected to pain and suffering in the name of entertainment. Rodeos are inherently cruel and completely unnecessary for the animals. The SPCA believes that allowing rodeos is like legalising animal cruelty – that’s why we want the law changed.The call comes as the rodeo season draws to a close. The organisations argue that rodeo is both unethical and inherently cruel, saying that animals are routinely grabbed, chased, wrestled and roped in aggressive displays and that they can sustain painful injuries."
Despite the argument put forward by the three groups, rodeo advocates like Gary Jackson who has been looking after animals for some years doesn't support SPCA, SAFE and Farmwatch's attempts to ban Rodeo here.
The groups behind the petition claim Rodeos are condemned by vets, welfare experts and animal protection organisations worldwide. In New Zealand, rodeo is banned from Auckland Council land and SAFE, SPCA and Farmwatch say it is time the rest of the country followed suit.
“People are tired of the excuses,” says Hans Kriek. “New Zealand is getting left behind and our reputation as a nation of animal lovers is in doubt. It’s time for rodeo to end, for good.”