- Target:
- Hon Hugh Delahunty, Victorian Minster for Sport and Recreation
- Region:
- Australia
- Website:
- www.animalsaustralia.org
No doubt many of you have seen the recent tv advertisements promoting the 7th Annual International Rodeo that will be held here in Melbourne. I was so shocked to see this abhorrent 'sport' still finds support within out community.
While I doubt we can prevent this particular event from going ahead, we can raise the profile of this issue and call for a ban on events like this in the future, as has been done in the ACT, Britain and parts of Europe and (surprise?) the USA.
Put simply, this 'sport' relies on the use of pain to satisfy it's audience. In this day and age, we know better. Were rodeos not to exist, hundreds of animals would live without being forced to go through this distressing, painful experience, while it's supporters would simply find some other hobby to consume their time.
To me, the argument is a simple one: the pleasure people may take in this 'sport' is not of greater value than the welfare of the animals that are subjected to its inherent cruelty.
I urge you to take action against these disgraceful events, and show that they are not welcome here in the future.
THE FACTS
Bull Riding:
- Straps are placed around the bulls' bodies and press on their genitals. This, as it would for any one of us, causes pain and makes the bulls buck.
- In addition, electric prods are used as a bull leaves the gate in order to make it buck more wildly.
Calf/Steer Roping (copied from animalsaustralia.org/issues/rodeos):
"Contestants on horseback must rope a calf (usually within 60 seconds), dismount and throw the calf, then any three of its hooves must be tied together and held for five seconds.
Injuries caused by the force of lassoing and jerking to a halt, then being thrown, include tearing or stretching of ligaments, disc rupture, internal haemorrhaging to the thymus gland and trachea and subcutaneous tissue damage.
Calves can suffer broken legs, even broken necks, and research has shown that even though they get to their feet and leave the arena apparently unharmed, calves can still be suffering from internal haemorrhaging which is not visible without an autopsy. These young animals with soft bones and still developing bodies, should never be subjected to such harsh treatment.
Steers are usually required to be roped within 90 seconds. Injuries include bruising, broken limbs and horns, as well as stress caused by brutal handling. Injuries in this event can cause an animal to be destroyed (out of sight of the crowd)."
We, the undersigned, call on the Victorian State Government to ban rodeos.
Put simply, this 'sport' relies on the use of pain and animal cruelty to satisfy it's audience. In this day and age, we know better.
Were rodeos not to exist, hundreds of animals would live without being forced to go through this distressing, painful experience. It's supporters would simply find another hobby to consume their time.
The argument is a simple one: the pleasure people may take in this 'sport' is not of greater value than the welfare of the animals that are subjected to its inherent cruelty.
Rodeos have been banned in Britain, as well as in parts of Europe and the USA. Rodeos are also not allowed in the ACT. It is so disappointing to see that we are being left behind on this issue.
We urge you, on behalf of your constituents, to take action against these disgraceful events, and show that they are not welcome here in the future.
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Ban Rodeos in Victoria petition to Hon Hugh Delahunty, Victorian Minster for Sport and Recreation was written by Amelia and is in the category Animal Welfare at GoPetition.