POLL of the DAY (347): BULLMANIA?

The treatment of animals in rodeos has been a source of concern for the industry, the public, and the law for decades.

James Serpell stated in his In the Company of Animals:

'It is perhaps exaggerated to claim, as one author has, that the rodeo is 'the modern equivalent of the public hanging'. Nevertheless, these performances hinge on the violent subjugation of living animals, some of which are deliberately incited to frenzied violence by raking them with spurs, constricting the genital region with leather straps, or by thrusting an electric prod into the rectal area. At the same time they are often given bogus, malevolent names in order to deflect sympathy from their plight. Occasionally, they are maimed or killed, and many are forced to undergo the same terrifying ordeal several times a day. Yet the rodeo is presented to the American public as a harmless, red-blooded entertainment in which the cowboy – the epitome of wholesome, manly virtue – uses his courage and skill to overcome and subdue untamable, outlaw stock. Doubtless, the Romans employed similar fantasies to justify their activities in the Circus Maximus. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_treatment_in_rodeo 

The rodeo debate has been discussed in the NZ media recently, for instance in this article from the TVNZ news website:

'Animal rights campaigners remain at odds with rodeo organisers over an event to be staged in Warkworth tomorrow night.

The town north of Auckland will play host to its inaugural 'Bullmania' event despite a last-ditch request to council from resident Lynn Charlton to revoke its permit.

Ms Charlton has submitted video to authorities from last year's Warkworth rodeo which she claims to show animals being mistreated, with bulls being punched and stomped on whilst in a holding pen.

But Warkworth Rodeo Club President Harvey Carran insists animals have never been mistreated at their events, and invited rodeo opponents to come and see for themselves.

'We're under strict guidelines and there's a new animal welfare code that's come out for rodeos,' he told ONE News.

'We've got all the eyes of the public watching, we've got the SPCA here for our events, we're under extreme scrutiny here and we have to abide by the rules - we don't go abusing animals.'

Warkworth's rodeo grounds are held on leased Auckland council land, but a resolution banning rodeos on public land passed by the Auckland City Council in 2008 ceased to exist when the councils merged two years later.

However, Ms Charlton will continue to push for the new council to pass a by-law banning rodeos outright, insisting she has public opinion on her side.

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