Top body for animal cruelty prevention calls on South West residents to say no to calf roping in rodeos

With numerous rodeo shows scheduled to happen across the South West region, the peak body for animal protection is urging residents to say no to calf roping.

RSPCA WA has urged South West communities to think twice before attending upcoming rodeos that included calf roping – a practice it claims most Australians want banned for good.

Rodeos are scheduled for Brunswick Junction on November 22, Capel on January 10, and Metricup from 28 February-March 1 — drawing crowds for what is billed as family fun.

Rodeos have also been hosted in Boyup Brook.

RSPCA Australia’s senior scientific officer Dr Di Evans said the excitement for an event could mask serious animal welfare concerns.

“Calf roping is one of the most distressing events — young calves, sometimes only four months old, are chased, lassoed around the neck, jerked off their feet, and forced to the ground for entertainment,” Dr Evans said.

“Research by the University of Sydney shows these calves exhibit signs of fear and stress during the event — bellowing, escape attempts, tail swishing and the whites of their eyes showing. At least the humans choose to be there. The animals do not.”

Dr Evans said despite the rodeos being promoted as reflecting rural Australian life, the events were not consistent with modern farming practices of calm and low-stress handling.

“We need to teach our children compassion and respect for animals, not encourage them to cheer young animals being chased and choked,” she said.

Recent polling commissioned by the RSPCA in 2023 showed 62 per cent of West Australians who lived outside of Perth are concerned about the animal welfare impacts of calf roping, and 60 per cent wanted the practice scrapped for good.

Dr Evans said the RSPCA was calling for a nationwide ban on calf roping, and urged businesses to disassociate themselves from events that profited from animal suffering.

“People can help by not attending rodeos that include calf roping and by letting organisers and sponsors know that causing unnecessary harm is no longer acceptable in modern Australia,” she said.

Double Barrel Entertainment is in charge of organising most rodeos in the South West region, including those in Boyup Brook.

Double Barrel Entertainment owner Jo Kestel said community members could make their own choices as to whether to attend rodeos.

“The sport of rodeo has been around for many years — and has been loved and attended by many,” she said.

“The significance of rodeos in a community is the amount of people they bring into the town.

“Huge amount of dollars are spent, and a lot of businesses depend on that one weekend as an annual boost to their income.”

Ms Kestel said her rodeo company donates to numerous local institutions, and said rodeos were a social highlight for many.

“We are donating to local ambulances, local fire brigade, local schools, sporting clubs in the community,” she said.

“We have donated thousands of dollars back to children’s cancer research and breast cancer. We have supported off-the-track thoroughbreds, farmers and mental health.

“Rodeos in every community is a social outing that helps support mental health. Rodeo has a family feelgood atmosphere that brings country to the city.”