Children in rodeo

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Two men 'assist' a child to ride a small bull - pulling its ears violently to control it • Marrabel 2004 View the video.

A sinister beginning?
The links between violence and cruelty to animals have been well researched and documented. It is now scientifically accepted that children who are cruel to animals often have an inclination to commit other acts of violence and crime. A large percentage of violent criminals, including serial murderers and rapists, have a history with animal cruelty. We are not suggesting children involved in rodeos will progress to a life of crime, but highlighting the research that impressionable children are highly likely to be affected in some manner. [Refer to 'Violence and Animal Abuse Research' tabled left.]

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Rodeos promote violence
The disturbing incidents witnessed by children at rodeos could have a detrimental effect on their psyches. Children who compete at rodeos and handle animals behind the scenes have been witnessed inflicting pain and suffering on the animals either by mimicking older peers and role models or because they apply techniques they have been taught, "to make the animals perform better". The videos on this page were all taken at recent South Australian rodeos. View 'Cruelty Files'

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Putting children at risk
Children who compete and watch rodeos are in constant danger. At the 2005 Baroota rodeo a young girl fell from a steer and was trampled and taken away in an ambulance. Only one week later, a 15 year old girl sustained serious neck injuries when bucked from a steer at a NSW rodeo.

At another rodeo a commentator asked the crowd to give a round of applause for the children riding steers (horns intact), because, “these kids are out here risking their lives to entertain you”. When did children risking their lives become something we cheered for? Jeanie and Troy Walker have witnessed and filmed children no older than four or five on steers with cowbells tied around the flank to make them buck. There is no way off of a bucking animal, other than being bucked off or falling off voluntarily. The rodeo people will tell you this proudly. View 'Risk Files'

What is even harder to believe is that in a progressive state like South Australia there are no laws to prevent parents from putting their children into a perilous situation like this.

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