Animal advocacy group SAFE says it is disappointed and angered by Hamilton Council's inaction over the controversial International Rodeo.
Mandy Carter, SAFE Campaign Manager, said the council has decided to blatantly ignore the wish of both local residents and animal welfare supporters to ban the rodeo from taking place atClaudeland's Arena.
"They've put financial concerns ahead of ethics. The decision is especially baffling as Hamilton Mayor Hardaker is chairperson of the local SPCA, an organisation strongly opposed to rodeos."
SAFE said it had asked the council not to allow rodeo events at Claudelands as rodeos abuse animals, but in correspondence the council told SAFE that it will allow the rodeo back.
Hamilton council has previously banned a proposed Erotica expo.
"The International Rodeo is the largest rodeo in the country and includes loud music, fireworks and pyrotechnics, so along with the usual torment, goading and brutal treatment animals endure, they must also contend with fear, stress and anxiety caused by loud noise and bright lights," Carter said
"These animals are forced to endure needless suffering and gross mistreatment, all for the sake of so-called entertainment. There is simply no excuse".
"Children attending the rodeo will witness animals being terrorised and ill-treated, seemingly with adult approval. Conditioning children into accepting such violence will have dire consequences for our society in the future, given the strong links between animal and human abuse. Hamilton Council have missed a real opportunity to make a difference."
