The Ask:
To the House of Representatives

We the undersigned respectfully request that the House of Representatives pass legislation to ban rodeos, noting that section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 1999 requires that animals are not subjected to unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress, and that causing animals to suffer for entertainment is both unreasonable and unnecessary.

The Campaign:
SAFE, SPCA and Farmwatch have joined forces to call for a ban on rodeos in New Zealand.

Suffering is inherent in rodeo.  Animals are forced to perform whilst experiencing genuine fear and stress. That’s why SAFE, SPCA and Farmwatch have formed a coalition to call for an end to this cruel practice. Horses and bulls are forced to buck, young calves roped and slammed into the ground.  Rodeos terrify animals and can cause injury and death.  All this for entertainment.

Internationally, rodeos are condemned by veterinarians, animal welfare agencies, and even ex-rodeo riders!  Countries like the United Kingdom have all but banned this abhorrent spectacle.  It is time for New Zealand to catch up.

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More Info:
What's wrong with rodeo?
Rodeo animals are routinely grabbed, chased, wrestled and roped in aggressive displays and they can sustain painful injuries such as fractures and bruising, as well as suffering severe stress and fear.  Horses and bulls are forced to buck, and young calves roped and thrown to the ground.  Two bulls died at rodeos during the 2014-15 season.

Late last year the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) stated that they continue to have reservations about the performance of rodeos.

In 2014 campaigners celebrated the closure of the Huntly Rodeo after an investigation by the Ministry for Primary Industries found that animals had been mistreated. Find out more.