Calls for rodeo ban

GISBORNE: Protesters have called for all rodeos to be banned after a bull snapped its leg and was subsequently put down at Thursday’s Gisborne event.

Protesters among the crowd of about 1500 were upset it took 25 minutes from when the bull snapped its leg until it was put down.

‘‘We were shocked and disgusted at how long it took . . . It is something we never want to ever see or hear again — devastating,’’ the New Zealand AntiRodeo Coalition said in an online post.

Organisers of the annual Gisborne Rodeo Association event said it was a ‘‘freak accident’’.

‘‘Something like this has not happened for 30 years to animals at the Gisborne rodeo,’’secretary Marsala Dalziel said.

‘‘We had a vet onsite and he made the call to put the bull down, and did it professionally.’’

When asked about the 25 minutes it took to put the bull down, she said it was the vet’s call.

‘‘How do the protesters know what is good for the animals? Are they trained vet specialists?’’

Owner and veterinarian Andrew Cribb said he spoke to the vet who felt what happened after the bull was injured was appropriate.

The bull dislocated its hock, which is like a human ankle joint, which is a common injury on a farm, Mr Cribb said.

He was satisfied there was prompt treatment.

New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association president Lyal Cocks said he was contacted immediately after it happened.

‘‘It’s terrible. The last thing you want is to get a call like that.

‘‘It’s a devastating incident to have any animal lost at a rodeo, especially for the animal and the people involved.’’

Mr Cocks was waiting for the official report on the incident.

‘‘We will see if there are any lessons learnt from that.

‘‘Regrettably this does happen sometimes in sports that use animals; it’s not just rodeo.’’

Mr Cocks said the association worked with the Ministry for Primary Industries to continually monitor their sport, to keep an eye on animal welfare but also keep it an exciting competition.

This is the second death this rodeo season. A horse at Methven Rodeo died at the opening weekend of the season.

A report from the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee in October recommended a new rodeo animal welfare committee be established to monitor the use and help improve the welfare of animals. — NZME