Terrifying baby animals in the name of sport and entertainment is not acceptable.  However, this is exactly what happens to calves in the ‘rope and tie’ event at dozens of Queensland rodeos every year.  But after decades of this abuse being legal in Queensland, there is now genuine hope for change - the state government is seriously considering a ban on calf roping, the cruelest rodeo event. 

PLEASE SIGN THIS NEW PETITION so the Queensland Government is left in absolutely no doubt that the vast majority of the public wants to see calf roping gone.

WHY IS THIS NEW CALF ROPING PETITION CRUCIAL?

Background to campaign: The campaign to ban calf roping has been building for several years. Because of high levels of public concern throughout 2016-17, the Queensland Government asked for a report into calf roping from its Animal Welfare Advisory Board.  This was provided at the end of 2017, and for over a year Queensland’s Minister for Agricultural Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner, stated in correspondence he was still considering the report.

LATEST DEVELOPMENT: Then in December 2018, after more concerning calf roping incidents in the state, Minister Furner announced he was developing a Working Party to develop Standards and Guidelines for Queensland rodeos. The welfare of calves used in calf roping events and the requirement for a veterinarian to be present were stated to be key considerations in developing the Standards.  This appears promising!

However, the rodeo industry will not want calf roping stopped and they will be fighting this possibility of change. So we need to step up and once again affirm to the Queensland Government that there is very strong public support for a ban on this cruel and exploitative event. By signing we will be telling the Minister that an event in which sentient baby animals are reduced to mere objects to be tormented and thrown around, is past its use-by date. 

PLEASE URGENTLY SIGN THIS PETITION AND SHARE.

More information about the calf roping event: In this timed rodeo event, calves are released from chutes and chased by riders on horseback.  Whilst running away in fear and at full speed, the calves are roped around their necks, which bring them to a sudden, brutal and painful stop. The competitors must then pick the calves up, slam them back to the ground, and finally hog tie them (tie three of their four legs together with rope so they can’t run away). 

Calf roping sounds awful because it is awful!  We know that these young animals are very frightened and likely in pain during the event because they bellow, they salivate, they show the whites of their eyes, they squirm and jump around desperately to get away after being roped; they try to extricate themselves from the rope after being tied up, etc. Their participation also places them at risk of injury.

Two Australian states (Victoria and South Australia) have already outlawed calf roping at rodeos. It’s now time for Queensland to join them and show compassion.  

For further information, go to www.RethinkRodeos.com

PLEASE URGENTLY SIGN THIS PETITION CALLING ON THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT TO PUT IN PLACE A COMPLETE BAN ON CALF ROPING.  AND PLEASE SHARE!