Greens, activists criticise Govt for rodeo inaction

WELLINGTON: The Green Party is criticising the Government for its lack of delivery on a promise to ban some aspects of rodeo.

The Labour Party said it would ban flank straps, calfroping and several other elements of rodeo if elected, but it has not followed through.

A video of a rodeo show in Gisborne in 2018 shows a bull bucking in an attempt to get out of a flank strap, before snapping one of its hind legs.

The investigation of that incident is also being criticised, in light of new documents which show the only person interviewed was a sponsor of the event.

In the video, the rider comes off and then cowboys surround the kicking bull, sending it into a spin; after one kick, it comes down and its left hind leg snaps, dislocating its hock.

About half an hour later it was put down, shot by a vet.

Green Party animal welfare spokesman Gareth Hughes said the video was ‘‘horrific’’.

Mr Hughes, echoing the sentiments of antirodeo activists, said the video highlighted why flank straps should be banned.

Before the 2017 election, the Labour Party said it would ban the use of electric prods, flank straps and younger animals in rodeo.

‘‘I think it’s incredibly disappointing we haven’t seen previous preelection promises followed through to end the use of flank straps.

‘‘We’ve seen animals die under this current government, at rodeos, for sport, for entertainment.’’

Primary Industries Minister Damien O’Connor did not comment as to why Labour had not banned flank straps, but said an experienced vet was required to attend all rodeos.

He was confident rodeos were well regulated and generally functioned well.

Rodeo Cowboys Association president Lyal Cocks said the incident shown in the video was ‘‘very regrettable’’ and ‘‘very rare’’.

It was nothing to do with the flank strap, he said.

Mr Cocks said it was a piece of harness like in any other equestrian sport and it did not hurt the animal; it helped it to buck in a ‘‘more straight and higher fashion’’.

He said the reason the Government had not banned flank straps was because it had investigated and found them to not be a problem.

The use of electric prods was minimal and being minimised in rodeos, he said.

Mr Hughes was also critical of the ministry investigation into the bull’s death at the Gisborne rodeo.

Documents obtained under the Official Information Act show the only person interviewed was the vet who put the animal down; that vet was also a sponsor of the rodeo.

‘‘You could say that it looks like it’s just been cleared off the desks to get it done and dusted, rather than a fulsome investigation.’’

Mr Cocks said it was ‘‘disgusting’’ for a politician to question the integrity and professionalism of vets in New Zealand.

‘‘I’m not sure what the connections were but that vet was engaged to do a professional job and they do throughout the country.’’

In a statement, the ministry defended the investigation.

‘‘MPI doesn’t consider there was a conflict of interest in this case,’’ it said.

‘‘It’s not uncommon, given that rodeo events are often held in rural areas, that a vet may have connections to those competing in or running such events.

‘‘We don’t consider that any vets’ personal or professional connections to a wider event would put any animals’ welfare in jeopardy.’’

Regarding the cause of death itself, the MPI said because the rodeo code had not been broken, there was nothing more it could do. — RNZ