October
12th 2006
Key witness
not called for rodeo cruelty case
Court hearing to be held at Launceston’s Magistrates Court tomorrow
On January 14th
2006 Animal Advocates witnessed and filmed the brutal treatment of an
injured bull named After Dark at the Carrick Bull ride, an annual event
held in Northern Tasmania. During the bull ride After Dark suffered a
broken back and was forced to drag himself out of the arena, up a ramp
and onto a truck while being kicked in the face and body.
Four people later faced charges
under Section 7 of the Animal Welfare Act which relates to mismanagement
of animals. Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania and other animal advocates
regard this charge as grossly inadequate and suggest that charges under
Sections 8 or 9 relating to cruelty and aggravated cruelty would be more
appropriate. According to AACT Rodeo spokesperson Emma Haswell:
“We are calling for
those charged to be given the maximum penalty. If this case was about
a dog being kicked in the head while suffering from a broken back the
charge would not have been one as grossly inadequate as mismanagement
of an animal. This is not an isolated incident and the penalties must
reflect the terrible cruelty meted out to this bull.”
Ms Haswell also said
“In light of a recent
court case being so poorly prepared by the RSPCA inspectorate and the
Department of Public Prosecutions that it was thrown out of court, we
are concerned to discover that the key witness for the prosecution has
not been called to give evidence at the trial.”
The minister for Primary
Industries and Water, Mr. David Llewellyn, has stated that sweeping
changes to the Animal Welfare Act will result in better conditions for
animals in rodeos. While the requirement to have a vet in attendance
at all times is a significant improvement, it will by no means stop
injuries to and deaths of animals.
“We are extremely disappointed that the review did not include
a ban on calf roping, which has been banned in Victoria and has been
described by Dr Hugh Wirth of RSPCA Australia as ‘horizontal hanging’,
The banning of the children’s events of mutton busting (sheep
riding) and poddy calf riding will not have a great impact as these
events are not popular in Tasmania.” Ms Haswell said.
“The Tasmanian Education
Department encourages the teaching of compassion and consideration to
all creatures. Yet rodeos are promoted as a family event and certainly
do not teach compassion, consideration or respect for animals. Rodeos
have been condemned by leading animal welfare groups throughout Australia,
including the RSPCA and Animals Australia. They are an outdated and
barbaric display of human domination over animals thinly disguised as
‘entertainment’ and as such have no place in a society that
purports to be civilized.” Ms Haswell concluded.
For further Information: AACT Rodeo Spokesperson, Emma Haswell,
mob. 0408 970 359
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