Opposition bucks ahead of bull ride
Anti-rodeo protesters will wage war outside a Manawatu¯ bull ride amid increasing public concern over animal cruelty and growing national momentum to ban the pastime.
The Wellington Animal Rights Network will stage the protest at the Parklee Bullride in Kimbolton on Saturday.
Green Party animal welfare spokesperson Gareth Hughes this month announced a private member’s bill to ban calf roping and the use of flank straps. While Lions Club New Zealand has withdrawn sponsorship of rodeos nationwide.
Wellington Animal Rights Network spokeswoman Jasmine Gray said rodeo-type activities had continued in the name of ‘‘fun’’ for too long.
The playbook of protesters is becoming familiar to Parklee Bullride organiser Shane Bird, namely the use of selective footage presented in an emotive manner via social media.
He expects fewer than 15 protesters to turn up. Those that do shouldn’t expect a warm welcome from the 900 to 1000 rodeo fans, Bird said.
While the forces opposed now have a champion in the form of Hughes, studies from Calvary University in the United States show bulls display signs of excitment when bucking in rodeos, rather than distress and torture, Bird said.
‘‘They [protesters] are making lies up to get more support to ban rodeos,’’ Bird said.
‘‘If you take selective clips from a rodeo, put them over emotional music and play it on social media to people that have never been to a rodeo then of course it looks worse.’’
When asked if he thought Hughes’ bill would impact the rodeo industry, Bird wasn’t worried.
‘‘He’s one person. He can’t change the law by himself.’’
Bird said the sport was well regulated and monitored by the Ministry for Primary Industries and vets, and has worked hard in recent years to improve its practices and facilities.
He didn’t think it was wellrecognised that most of the animals were specially bred and expertly trained for these events, and were well looked after.
Bird said the rodeo fraternity had recognised some aspects of the sport needed to change and it had willingly put the necessary adjustments in place. He conceded the sport may need to continue to evolve some elements, but wanted that to be the result of informed debate not sensationalist misinformation.
In a Facebook post last week, Hughes said rodeos belonged in the history books, not in modern New Zealand.
‘‘Tormenting animals in the name of entertainment is a cruel practice and it should be banned. I’m working on a members’ bill to outlaw it.’’
Gray said she had noticed growing numbers at anti-rodeo protests around New Zealand this season. Many of those included people from rural communities.
‘‘It is good to see a diverse range of people ... who are worried about the impact the treatment of rodeo animals might have on the country’s international reputation. [The bulls’] forced participation in these events is animal cruelty, and there is no place for this in 2018 New Zealand.’’
Gray said the network had campaigned against rodeos since 2015. This season they have protested in Taupo¯ and are planning to head to rodeos in Martinborough, Hunterville, and Feilding.