There is a lot of misconception when it comes to rodeo, says New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association board member Shane Bird.

Daryl Church on Leap of Fate at Opotiki last year. Photo: Sarah Kapua.

Shane is hitting back at claims the sport abuses the animals – with SPCA New Zealand, SAFE and Farmwatch calling for an outright ban on rodeos in New Zealand.

The three animal welfare organisations joined forces recently to launch an offline and online petition, which has so far gathered more than 30,000 signatures.

Shane who is the association's North Island club director, says there is a 'misconception” around how the animals are treated at rodeo.

'It's all about what people perceive is happening and the people who don't approve of what we're doing, will perceive it one way,” Shane says. 'In actual fact, they should read the animal welfare code for rodeos in New Zealand, which we all know and we read and we abide by.

'What they're claiming is happening, isn't actually happening.”

SPCA New Zealand chief executive Ric Odom says they believe if most New Zealanders saw what he claims to be abuse is happening they would support the call for a ban.

'If someone abused their pets in the ways animals are abused in rodeos, chances are we would look at prosecuting them.” Ric says rodeos animals are routinely kicked, slapped, grabbed, chased, given electric shocks, wrestled and roped.

As a result of these actions animals can suffer painful injuries, including broken bones, spinal injuries and bruising, as well as experiencing severe stress and fear. Horses and bulls are forced to buck, and young calves are roped and thrown to the ground.

Shane disputes the animals are treated poorly.

'They are just perceiving it out to be that way and they're just trying to reword stuff out to the public, which isn't actually accurate… We've been investigated by the Ministry of Primary Industries and they haven't found us to be in breach of the Animal Welfare Act. As it stands at the moment, we are all in line with the law.”

Tauranga local and rodeo stalwart Murray Thurston has been involved in rodeo for more than 50 years, he says animals aren't mistreated in rodeo, while there is the risk of animals being hurt at rodeo it was like any sport things happen.

'You only have to look at horse racing or show jumping – animals will get injured. Cowboys don't mistreat their animals it's counter-productive.

'They want them to be able to ride or buck. Other sports get injuries as well. Our All Blacks are often injured you don't see us wanting to ban rugby because one of them get injured.”

Ric says the Welfare Advisory Committee stated they continue to have reservations about the performance of rodeos. 'The Animal Welfare Act requires that animals not be subjected to unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress – yet this is precisely what happens at rodeos,” Ric says.

However, Shane, who breeds bulls for the rodeo, says the animals are well treated by those associated with the rodeo.

'We have bulls down here they are treated like family. They get the best of everything here. They get the best lives. They get priority on everything. It's the same if you have a competitive horse, like a racing horse or a show jumping horse or a rodeo competing horse. They are all treated with the best of everything.”

Bay of Plenty will host three rodeos this year the first is at Rerewhakaaitu on December 26, followed by Opotiki and Taupo on December 28 and 29 respectively.

Shane says the day is a great day out for the family with a number of top competitors set to take part in the three events.

'There are a lot of people who come to all of the events. It's a pretty standard thing. We always draw big crowds. It's just good family entertainment like it appeals to everyone. Rodeo is not one specific thing. It's got seven different events. So there is something that is going to appeal to every person.”