Rein in rodeo

I read with interest the article in D/N 12th September on the N.Z. Farmer, page 11, and titled ‘‘Farmers follow bobby calf rules’’. So far Ministry for Primary Industries had carried out 248 farm inspections across the country regarding the new compliance for loading facilities, shelter and transporting of bobby calves. Good to see they are doing their job. On Newstalk Radio ZB on the 21st of February 2017 Nathan Guy for M.P.I. stated that a farmer dragging a calf across a paddock by the hind legs was very disturbing. I bring to attention the small calves used for entertainment in the rodeo circuits in New Zealand. It seems that they are not covered in the animal welfare act as they are dragged, thrown down, jumped on, their heads wrenched onto their backs, roughly handled, their little legs bound together and subjected to other inhumane atrocities while grown men dressed as cowboys jump on them manhandle them and drag them along the ground. I bring into my query also, the horses and cattle subjected to equally inhumane abuse. I ask how Nathan Guy can state that a farmer dragging a calf cross a paddock is an abuse of the animal welfare standards and yet turn a blind eye to the ones being dragged around in the rodeo ring? There seems to be two rules for calves: you cannot drag them in a farm paddock but it is certainly ok in the rodeo circuit.

Judy Eva New Plymouth