Peaceful Activists Bullied Aggressively at Rodeo Event in New Zealand

​worldanimalnews.com/breaking-rodeo-protestors-bullied-manhandled-while-documenting-rampant-animal-cruelty-at-event-in-new-zealand/

Activists were met with aggressive bullying at a rodeo event in New Zealand while filming the horrors that happen within the walls of a rodeo event. Although most activists protested peacefully outside, a few decided to purchase tickets and take it upon themselves to film within the event where they were met with aggressive bullying and harassment. This aggression is not surprising when you consider that the rodeo is literally a sport centered around the abuse of animals. 

Typically, filming is often banned at rodeo events because organizers claim that the film can be taken out of context and shed a negative light on rodeo events. They also repeatedly deny that animals are abused in these events but it seems coincidental that people within the crowd aggressively bullied activists who filmed the event. 

Personally, I don't see how the film could be misconstrued in any way considering what you see is exactly what's going on. These cows, bulls, and calves are subjected to emotional and mental turmoil as they flee awaiting being roped and pulled aggressively to the ground. One cannot deny that the animals look terrified and attempt to flee for their lives but somehow rodeo organizers claim that the animals don't suffer at all? Frankly, it couldn't be any more obvious that the animals used in these events suffer tremendously and organizers couldn't care less about the well being of these animals.

Most recently, a horse escaped a chute at an event at the Gisborne Rodeo and was killed while a bull had to be shot and killed after dislocating its leg at a bull riding event. Rodeo organizers would have you believe that these are "freak accidents" and don't reflect general happenings but in the same token won't allow you to film within the walls of the events because the videos can be taken out of context...Interesting. 

The fact is, rodeos are horrendously cruel events that exploit animals for the sake of human entertainment. As we see more and more circus' banned around the world that use wild animals for entertainment, it's curious to me that rodeos have not yet met that same fate. Both exploit animals for entertainment except at the rodeo, that cruelty and abuse is on full display for all to see. How can someone watch as a baby cow runs for its life while people on horses chase it down and rope it aggressively to the ground? It's a sickening display of cruelty that needs to be put to an end!

The fact is, a lot of these types of things are rooted in tradition and that's why despite people turning against these types of events, they are harder to shut down. Organizers and traditionalists will claim that this is their heritage and it is an integral part of their history. Much is the case with horse drawn carriages you know? We can get around now much more easily with vehicles, bikes, electronic scooters / bikes, public transit etc., but because horse drawn carriages are a part of our supposed heritage, they remain on the streets. 

It's time to accept that the world is ever-changing and some parts of our heritage need to buried and become part of our history. Any kind of sport or entertainment that exploits animals for our benefit needs to be put to rest permanently. Times are changing and we need to move forward, reflective of the changes in attitude towards animal cruelty. Enough with using tradition or heritage as an excuse to abuse animals for entertainment!

HAPPY VEG