With rodeo season underway in Tasmania, there are calls for the practice of calf roping to be banned.
The Ulverstone Rodeo was held last weekend, with Scottsdale’s on this Saturday.
Rodeo events are banned under animal welfare legislation in the ACT, and must operate within strict guidelines within South Australia and Victoria.
RSPCA Tasmania Chief Executive, Jan Davis, says calf roping is a frightening and cruel event that is arguably the worst animal welfare issue with rodeos today.
Ms Davis says calf roping involves a calf as young as four months being chased by a rider, lassoed around the neck, jerked off their feet and often crashing to the ground before having their legs forcefully bound with rope.
She says animal welfare studies have shown calf roping is a terrifying and distressing event for the animals involved.
Next month’s rodeo calendar will include events at Gowrie Park on March 11, George Town on March 18, and Preston on March 25th.
