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Friday
6 February, 2009
AACT Ross Rodeo Protest
Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania
(AACT) will be holding a protest outside the Ross Rodeo on Saturday the
7th of February, 2009 from 12.00 – 1.30. AACT believes that Rodeos
encourage spectators and rodeo participants to be insensitive to animal
suffering and accept inhumane treatment of the animals used in rodeos.
Julie Williamson, AACT Coordinator commented:
“Rodeos are not an exhibition
of human skill and endurance; they are a demonstration of man attempting
to dominate terrified animals. Cattle and horses are flight animals and
it is appalling that practices to terrify and torment them are seen as
entertainment for the amusement of what is in reality a small group of
people.”
Events such as calf roping
are particularly cruel. A frightened calf is released from a chute, at
which point it runs as fast as it can to try and escape the horse and
rider chasing it. The calf is lassoed around the neck, the horse skids
to a halt and the calf may become airborne before crashing to the ground,
with a risk of breaking their back, neck or legs in the process.
Tearing of ligaments, disc rupture, damage to the thymus gland, trachea
and subcutaneous tissue, and haemorrhaging is also common. Dr Hugh Wirth
of RSPCA Australia described calf roping as ‘horizontal hanging’
and these events are no longer held in Victoria. Video evidence shows
calves being violently roped and slammed into the ground.
“Bucking events also
involve animal suffering. All horses and bulls buck because of the flank
strap that is pulled tightly around their flank. Animals don't buck because
they are wild or bred to do so. They buck because the flank strap irritates
them, and they stop bucking as soon as it is taken off. The strap can
cause bloody and painful open wounds, which observers have noted at virtually
every rodeo. In addition, bucking horses often suffer back and leg injuries
from repeated bucking or accidents in the loading shoots. Bucking bulls
also suffer the same flank strap, spur, muscle and skeletal injuries as
horses,” said Ms Williamson.
“AACT observers have
also witnessed horses that refuse to buck raked repeatedly from neck to
rump with spurs in an attempt to make them ‘perform’ while
the crowd laughed on. It was truly appalling to see such an event that
demonstrated such little respect for animals nor understanding of the
cruelty being inflicted.”
One vet, attending an Australian
Rodeo is quoted as saying: “The immorality of rodeos extends to
the arrogance of the riders and their attitude to the animals, and to
the way the audience is demeaned by watching such a tawdry spectacle."
Media Contact:
0400 153 346 – Julie
Williamson, AACT Coordinator.
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