Animal cruelty or a bit of harmless fun? The Running of the Lambs, set to take place during a new festival in Central Hawke's Bay in September, has prompted debate.
The Central Hawke's Bay Lamb Country Festival in association with Silver Fern Farms has organised a series of lamb-related events to promote the region to tourists throughout the Rugby World Cup.
While many people back Running of the Lambs, the SPCA and some members of the public have expressed concern for the animals' welfare.
Stephanie Thomas posted a message on the Central Hawke's Bay Lamb Festival Facebook that read: "shame on you for promoting cruelty to animals".
Thrash Cardiom commented: "this is the one aspect of the Lamb Country idea I dislike ... I don't mind eating them though."
Another outraged person, wrote to the Thumbs Up/ Thumbs Down column in the CHB Mail last week, saying the event painted CHB in a poor light: "It is not cute - it is cruel. Why cause unnecessary stress to animals?"
At one point, administrators of the Facebook page responded by saying the SPCA supported the event.
However, CHB SPCA committee member vet Karen Phillips said the SPCA did not support it, though it was legal and could not be stopped.
"The main thing we can do is advise them in an effort to ensure animal welfare is a priority," she said.
"We have had initial consultation with the organisers regarding numbers involved and they have explained to us how they intend to run it, and hopefully they will continue to consult with us as it gets closer to the time."
She confirmed the SPCA had formally complained about the Facebook post, which had since been removed.
RNZSPCA regional chief inspector/ branch co-ordinator Lloyd Warren said the main issue was that the lambs might be put at risk: "Our concern is that there will be over 1000 animals and there's a huge risk of smothering.
"We appreciate that they are herded down the road from paddock to paddock but this is different, there will be dogs and people and yelling and they will be running on concrete.
"We have heard the argument that it has happened in Te Kuiti but it doesn't make it right."
The Running of the Sheep is a tradition in Te Kuiti, with thousands of people from all over the world lining the streets to watch every year.
A poll on the Central FM website had people split, with 52 per cent saying it was cruel and 48 per cent disagreeing, after 61 votes, as at 8am today.
CHB Promotions tourism marketing manager Christine Shanahan said the event had been organised with animal safety in mind. "Farmers wouldn't be putting [the lambs] into the showcase if they thought they wouldn't be looked after," she said.
On September 17, Wai-pukurau's main street will be closed off for the event. Quad bikes will be in front of and to the rear of the sheep as they run, with rousies and sheep dogs to guide them.
It would last a maximum 20 minutes, Ms Shanahan said.
Hawke's Bay running of lambs has SPCA concerned
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