Guest guest Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 RODEO ABUSE VICTORY!!! SAFE successfully urges Auckland City to ban rodeos SAFE has applauded the Auckland City Council for their landmark decision to ban rodeos from council-owned land within Auckland. SAFE campaign officer Eliot Pryor presented evidence of injuries suffered by animals performing in New Zealand rodeos. Eliot also explained to the councillors the extreme stress that rodeo animals are forced to endure so that they ‘perform.' SAFE made a submission to the council under proposed new animal bylaws. "The rodeo is an outdated and inherently cruel way of treating animals and sets a terrible example, especially for a younger audience. We welcome the Council's decision and commend them for taking the issue seriously," says Eliot. SAFE was concerned that organisers of the first indoor international rodeo held in Christchurch last year would attempt to stage the event in Auckland. Following public comments from Mayor John Banks against rodeos SAFE saw an opportunity to be proactive, resulting in Auckland city being the first city in New Zealand to ban rodeos. "When seen objectively the rodeo cannot be defended as traditional culture or safe entertainment, and the council was receptive to our point of view," says Eliot. Auckland City Council resolved last week that as a matter of policy no rodeos would be permitted on council land because of animal welfare concerns. The decision, a first for New Zealand, has been applauded by SAFE. "SAFE congratulates Mayor John Banks and his councillors for recognising the importance of animal welfare following a submission made by SAFE. This monumental decision demonstrates that Auckland City Council is serious about preventing animal abuse. It is an enlightened stance that we hope will be emulated by councils around the country," says SAFE campaign director Hans Kriek. "Rodeo animals are goaded, tormented and forced to endure needless suffering and gross mistreatment, all for the sake of so-called entertainment," says Mr Kriek. SAFE believes the council's ban will thwart efforts by an international rodeo promoter to bring his animal cruelty spectacle to Auckland as part of Rugby World Cup events in 2011. Craig Douglas organised New Zealand's first international indoor rodeo held last year in Christchurch, which was fiercely opposed by SAFE. Correspondence to Mr Douglas from Councillor Cathy Casey following the council's decision highlights the diverse support for the ban within the Council. She writes: "Mr Banks and I don't agree on too much politically but on animal rights he has my complete backing." "Rodeos are turning into extravagant pyrotechnic-charged spectacles in an effort to attract a new inner-city audience, however these events are still founded on abusing animals. The Auckland City Council's decision sends a strong message to the rodeo industry that Auckland does not tolerate animal cruelty," says Mr Kriek. Mayor calls for ban on 'unacceptable, undignified and cruel' rodeos Auckland City Mayor John Banks wants people who witnessed this week's Wanaka Rodeo to give some thought to "the cruelty the animals suffered" for the audience's pleasure. Mr Banks contacted the Herald last night to express his disappointment at the way animals were "distressed for human entertainment" during Wednesday's tournament. He said that while yesterday's front-page image of a rider being crushed under an upturned bull was "spectacular", it showed the unacceptable exploitation of an animal and it was time rodeos were banned. "This kind of behaviour is the thin edge of the wedge. I mean, we are as a society rightfully condemning of gratuitous violence of women and children but this is no more or less to these beautiful animals and someone needs to say it is wrong." The mayor said he had never been to a rodeo but had long fought against animal cruelty and was nearly arrested in Spain while fighting the promoters of bull fighting. He now wants to see tournaments banned in New Zealand. more... SAFE CHALLENGES FIRST INDOOR RODEO New Zealand's first indoor rodeo, the JetStar International Rodeo, didn't go unchallenged for causing needless abuse on animals. SAFE held a demonstration outside the Westpac Arena in Christchurch to remind those attending that they were supporting the cruel treatment of rodeo animals. SAFE is concerned that the New Zealand rodeo promoters are endeavouring to attract a new type of audience by bringing this cruel spectacle indoors closer to urban populations but not without the aid of exciting stage shows and pyrotechnic displays. Traditionally, rodeos have attracted the more conservative, rural farming type supporter. "Events like this are not possible without the support of sponsors and SAFE has written to rodeo sponsors expressing its concern and seeking reassurances that they will no longer support rodeos," says SAFE campaign director Hans Kriek. "Even large companies can't afford to alienate and loose customers through controversial sponsorship deals so it is important that as many people as possible contact rodeo sponsors to voice their disapproval." What you can do You can help rodeo animals by writing a letter to one or more of the sponsors of the International Rodeo. Tell them that you disapprove of their involvement with this cruel entertainment and that you want their assurance that they will not sponsor rodeos in future. Write your own letter or use the sample letter as a guide. SAMPLE LETTER Dear [name] I am writing to you to express my disappointment that [name of sponsor] was a sponsor of the JetStar International Rodeo in Christchurch. Rodeo events torment, harass and stress participating animals causing pain, suffering, injury and even death. Rodeos are not an accurate or harmless portrayal of ranching skills; rather, they display and encourage insensitivity to the brutal treatment of animals in the name of sport. Such disregard of our moral obligation towards other living creatures has negative impacts on society as a whole and on impressionable children in particular. As a sponsor, you must take responsibility for the role you play in the perpetuation of this type of animal cruelty in New Zealand. I further believe that your association with rodeos will be negatively viewed by your customers once they are made aware of the cruelty involved in this so-called entertainment. I am asking you to act by giving your assurance that you will not support any rodeos in the future and will adopt a policy of not sponsoring any event that causes animals to suffer. Yours sincerely MORE FM Christchurch102 Victoria StreetPO Box 25 209 ChristchurchPh: 03 377 1999Fax: 03 377 1993 Email: chchChris Bond (producer): cbond Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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