Bull death “an unfortunate accident but accidents do happen”

NZ Rodeo and Cowboys Association president Lyal Cocks said that “the regrettable death” of a bull at the Martinborough bullride event yesterday
“will be the subject of an internal inquiry to ensure that best practice was observed, and that the Rodeo Code regulations were adhered to.”

“ It was clearly an unfortunate accident but even though they are very rare
in our sport, one needs to accept that accidents do happen.

“ Other animals sports like horse-racing, equestrian and jump events
occasionally feature fatalities to the animals involved. In rodeo, its
incredibly unusual.”

Mr Cocks said that the initial information available to him was that the bull broke a leg after the rider had dismounted. A vet was on hand at the event to sedate and then euthanise the animal.

“ We want to check that everything that rodeo folk did around this incident
was spot on. If not, we will absorb and learn the lessons. But all indications
are that this was a freak accident.”

Mr Cocks said that if all freak accidents led to the shutting down of sports, as called for by SAFE and other animal activists, “then there would be no sports left. That would be absurd.”

ENDS