PRESS RELEASE

ANTI RODEO ACTION NZ

11 JANUARY 2019

RODEO DEATH COVER UP

The death of a second animal at Gisborne rodeo in December, and covered up by rodeo officials, is yet another indication that rodeo must be banned, and urgently, says anti-rodeo group.

“The government must take urgent action for the sake of the animals, but also for our international reputation as a trading country reliant on agricultural exports”, Anti Rodeo Action NZ’s spokesperson, Lynn Charlton said. “We expect the government and all farmers to be very concerned about what rodeo is doing to our international image. If you’re relying on farming for your income, you’d better hope the government puts an end to rodeo, and quick smart”.

“Terrorizing and assaulting animals for entertainment is not acceptable to New Zealanders – and it would certainly be unacceptable to our trading partners. That some of these deaths are covered-up to hide them from public outcry makes it all the more urgent to ban rodeo now.”

Despite media interviews where the death of a bull at Gisborne rodeo was discussed as a “freak accident”, rodeo officials omitted to mention a horse also died – at the same rodeo – shortly after the bull was shot post-entertainment.

“Freak accidents? These are the natural consequence of the way animals are treated at rodeos. This second death at Gisborne was covered up because clubs know it is a bad look and that kiwis would be outraged”.

“When you’re kicking and throwing animals around like they’re rugby balls, what do you expect?” Ms Charlton said. “This is the third animal death at an NZ rodeo in the first eight weeks of the season. There were four known deaths caused by rodeo during 2018, though there could be more.”

“Rodeo has no place in New Zealand and is certainly neither cultural, nor traditional”, Ms Charlton said.

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