This photo shows why the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) recently announced it did not support calf rope and tie events.
In a new policy released on 20 July this year, the AVA said:
Calves display various behaviours indicating they experience fear and distress during this event, including escape attempts, mouth gaping, tongue protrusion, eye white (when the eye rolls to reveal over 50% eye white to pupil ratio – considered an indicator of stress in animals) and vocalisation..... The calf is at risk of injury including damage to the neck, shoulders, trachea, larynx, thorax and thymus. Mis-ropings (when the rope misses the head and neck and catches one or more legs or a part of the body) can cause damage to muscles, bones and joints.
The little calf in this photo (courtesy of Animal Liberation Queensland) is clearly terrified.
In January this year, RSPCA Australia released the findings of a study which showed calf roping to be "frightening and cruel from start to finish": https://www.rspca.org.au/media-centre/news/2023/new-study-shows-rodeo-calf-roping-frightening-and-cruel-start-finish
Polling done in February 2023 showed that three in five Australians want calf roping banned: https://www.rspca.org.au/blog/2023/new-polling-shows-majority-australians-want-rodeo-calf-roping-stop
This event is effectively banned in Victoria and South Australia. It's time to tell the New South Wales Government to do the same, in line with clear public opinion.
Please share this petition, and, if you live in NSW, please sign my petition to Parliament: Petition to NSW Parliament - End Rodeo Cruelty
Thank you for your support.