Rodeo:Is this a humane form of entertainment?

By Monique Anderson

- NZ Specific

Objectives

• To investigate the ethical effects of Rodeos held in New Zealand

• Are they a humane form of entertainment?

Rodeo Events

• Bareback

• Barrel Racing

• Team Roping

• Steer wrestling

• Saddle Bronc

• Bull Riding

Gains for owner/handlers

• Tradition

• Entertainment

• Breeding

• Money

• Excitement

• Skill Debbie Porteous. (23, April 2013). Rodeo Issue Still Being Tossed Round. Otago Daily Times.

Gains for Society

• Money!

• Publicity – gaining supporters or loosing them

• Entertainment

Gains for the Animal

• Excitement/thrill of performance

• Mental stimulation

• Exercise/training = keeping fit

“There's truly nothing entertaining about

tormenting and teasing terrified animals. ”

Lynn Charlton, NZ Herald, 12 February 2013

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GXv9jcYLc0

• Genetics – selective breeding • Flank strap – supposedly does not induce pain,

works off pressure • Irritation/rubbing raw• Burns/Chaffing

Ralf Clarke. What makes them Buck. Retrieved from : http://rodeo.about.com/od/bullridingfaq/f/bullbucking.htm

Bucking

Costs

• Public debate

• Potential animal harm

• Potential break of animal welfare act

Retrieved from: http://safe.org.nz/Campaigns/Rodeo-abuse/

Conclusion

• There will always be debate between animal right protesters and NZ Rodeo association.

• More laws likely to be enforced, “bubble rapping the event”.

• There are always going to be some contestants who break the animals rights act. Making everyone involved appear guilty.

References• Website: http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/northland/227790/Maungatapere-to-host-national-rodeo 5/07/13

http://www.rodeonz.co.nz/about-rodeo/ 5/07/13

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GXv9jcYLc0 9/07/13

http://rodeo.about.com/od/bullridingfaq/f/bullbucking.htm 16/07/13

http://safe.org.nz/Campaigns/Rodeo-abuse/ 5/07/13

• Newspaper articles:Debbie Porteous. (23, April 2013). Rodeo Issue Still Being Tossed Round. Otago Daily Times.

Lynn Charlton. (12, February 2013). Lynne Charlton: Rodeo Fun just a theatre of cruelty . The New Zealand Herald.

Gwyneath Hyndman. (11, February 2013). Thrills and Spills as rodeo riders turn it on. The Southland Times.

• Personal accounts: Vicki Denby, rodeo comments