Western Leader

Is rodeo on its way out?

- RENEE CLAYTON

For more than six decades residents and visitors have attended the new year’s rodeo at the Warkworth showground­s. However, pressure from animal rights activists has put the event under intense scrutiny.

We asked the public what they thought about rodeos - whether the events were still popular, or has public opinion changed?

Kaipara Flat’s Paul Green is all for rodeos and says the events are very popular and are good for the community.

‘‘I believe the animals are well looked after and the event bring communitie­s together, although I have never been to a rodeo myself,’’ he says.

Auckland’s Steve Opitz agreed with Green saying rodeos are good for the community and the animals are treated fairly.

‘‘I attended a rodeo in the States and it was great fun. I believe the people who run these shows generally care and love the animals, I could be wrong.’’

Leigh resident Gabriel Ransom agrees that people’s opinions are changing.

‘‘I don’t think the animals are treated particular­ly well. I saw small calves running around, being tied up and bashed around.’’

Val Bird, Brown’s Bay, went to Rodeo in Australia a few years ago.

‘‘It is not something I would like to see again. The animals looked quite sad, although the crowd had a great time,’’ she says.

Bird says she does not think rodeos will survive.

‘‘I believe the people who run these shows generally care and love the animals’’

Steve Opitz

 ??  ?? Support for rodeos was still strong in Orewa and Warkworth, north of Auckland.
Support for rodeos was still strong in Orewa and Warkworth, north of Auckland.

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