An animal welfare group says the escape of an 800kg bull at a Kaitāia rodeo highlights the urgent need for the sport to be banned.
A bull named Thunder broke through a fence at the Far North rodeo in Kaitāia on January 2. He was promptly returned, with no injuries reported, but Save Animals from Exploitation (Safe) said the incident is an example of why the sport should be banned.
The New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association (NZRCA) says it does not agree with the call because it is compliant with government regulations, and the welfare of the animals is paramount.
Safe said the bull ran “in a desperate attempt to escape his torment in the rodeo arena”.
Safe campaign manager Emily Hall said rodeo holds no place in a society that values compassion for animals, particularly as it is promoted as a family-friendly event.
“The pain and suffering inherent in the rodeo industry is absolutely appalling. During the last rodeo season, five animals were killed because of lameness, dislocated limbs, and other severe injuries.
“If animals were tormented and abused in this manner anywhere else there would be serious repercussions, so why is rodeo still getting a free pass?”
The organisation said rodeo has long been condemned by veterinarians and animal welfare agencies in New Zealand and internationally, and that most rodeo practices violate the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
“Our Animal Welfare Act states that the physical handling of animals must minimise the likelihood of unnecessary pain and distress, yet rodeo practices depend on force and rough handling,” Hall said.
With the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (Nawac) currently preparing the revised Rodeo Code of Welfare, Safe emphasised the updated code must bring the industry into line with the Animal Welfare Act.
Nawac released a new draft rodeo code of welfare to key stakeholders in 2022. It was reported at the time the draft proposed dramatically changing the face of rodeo in New Zealand by banning steer wrestling, rope and tie events, breakaway roping and the use of spurs and flank straps.
“The release of the revised Rodeo Code of Welfare will allow Kiwis to voice their opinion on the future of cruel rodeo events. Public consultation is the vital next step,” Hall said.
An NZRCA member on the Rodeo Animal Welfare Committee, Lyal Cocks, said they don’t agree with the call for a ban.
“We always put the welfare of the animals first and that of the contestants ... we work with Government to ensure the sport is compliant.”
He said the independent welfare committee provides oversight and ensures everything is above board.
He added that an animal breaking the fence was very uncommon.
“It will be investigated to see why it happened. It is very uncommon, and I have heard of it once before.”
The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) regional manager for animal welfare and Nait (National Animal Identification and Tracing) compliance, Brendon Mikkelsen, said MPI’s animal welfare inspectors are scheduled to attend 30 rodeo events throughout the country this season to ensure animal welfare rules are followed.
“A senior inspector attended the rodeo in Kaitāia, where a bull escaped from the rodeo arena and into the public and carpark areas. We are not aware of it coming into contact with any member of the public at the rodeo. The bull was not injured and was mustered by rodeo staff and settled in an adjacent paddock.”
Spectator Jonelle Wereta, who got a video of the incident, said it was a scary experience.
“When I watched the bull charge at the fence and get out, I was shocked. I watched the crowd just quickly get up and run. When I saw the bull, I got scared. I thought the bull was going to come our way, but he didn’t.”
Far North Rodeo president Quinton King would not comment on the record about the renewed call for a ban.
After the incident, he told the Northland Age that Thunder was an intelligent beast who had been determined to get out and was not running towards the people and merely wanted to run away.