Over the weekend, animal rights group Direct Animal Action challenged the Mid Northern rodeo at Whangarei. A rodeo cowboy on horseback attempted to ‘rustle-up’ the protesters using his horse.
“The cowboy rode his horse right up to a woman in a wheelchair and a lady sitting on the ground with her toddler. He was attempting to intimidate us. We were shaken up but held our ground and have report this incident to the police and rodeo organisers,” says Direct Animal Action spokesperson Amie Wolken.
Despite this incident, protest actions will continue around the country as activists from Whangarei to Christchurch spread the “Boycott Rodeo” message.
“The anti-rodeo movement is gaining momentum, with more people than ever participating in nationwide protests against rodeo” says Wolken.
“Animals continue to suffer at rodeo. Investigations reveal multiple breaches of welfare regulations happen every year at rodeo events across New Zealand. We are appealing to the public across New Zealand to take matters into their own hands, and boycott the rodeo” says Ms Wolken.
The group is urging people to choose other forms of entertainment which don’t involve animal suffering.
“We’re asking people set a good example for children in our communities by teaching them values like empathy and compassion. Boycotting the rodeo is one way in which every person can show they support kindness towards animals, and that tormenting animals for our own pleasure is not acceptable.”
“There’s plenty of family fun that doesn’t cause harm to animals. We’re encouraging residents to choose cruelty-free forms of entertainment” says Ms. Wolken.
The next protest to happen in NZ will be led by Wellington Animal Rights Network happening in Martinborough on the 3rd February.
The next Direct Animal Action led rodeo protest will happen on the 18th February in Te Awamutu, Waikato.
