VICTORY! (NZ) Auckland City to ban rodeos

July 7, 2008

YEEE HAW!!!!

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"The rodeo is an outdated and inherently cruel way of treating animals and sets a terrible example, especially for a younger audience.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.