Dear Supporters
This coming Saturday, the Quirindi Show in New South Wales will feature a Professional Bull Riding event.
Injury risks for the animals used in these events include lacerations, abrasions, bruising and muscle and tissue damage. A study in 2017 showed that over 70% of bucking bulls showed muscle and bone injuries, and also that these animals were 13 times more likely than non-bucking bulls to have a spinal disorder. ,
According to RSPCA Australia, "bulls, as well as rodeo horses, buck repeatedly as an instinctive reaction to being kicked with spurs and to the tightened flank strap around their sensitive underbelly. Cattle are prey animals and their reaction to being ridden in this way is the same as their reaction to being attacked by a predator, a situation where they experience increased fear, stress and panic. The ‘fight-or-flight’ response is a survival instinct which the animal is unable to consciously control".
We know from first-hand reports that bulls have suffered broken legs during these events and have had to be euthanased. Due to the lax regulations governing rodeos, however, there is no comprehensive, publicly available record of injuries or deaths.
Who can call this sport or entertainment? You can see from this photo, courtesy Animal Liberation Qld, the distress and injury risk facing this poor animal.
The torment goes on, week after week. On 16 September, the town of Stroud will host a rodeo, and a Bull Riding event will happen at Maitland. On the 22nd, the Singleton Show will feature a Bull Riding event, while on the 30th, a rodeo will be held at Cobar.
The trauma for these animals is made worse by their repeated exposure to it.
Rodeo cattle and horses will continue to suffer until enough people speak out and demand that such cruelty stops.
Please, sign this petition and share it. If you live in New South Wales, please ensure you sign my e-petition to the Parliament. The link is here: Petition to Parliament - End Rodeo Cruelty
Rodeo animals are depending on you to spread this vital message as widely as you can.
Thank you.