A bull being euthanised during this week’s Te Anau Rodeo because of injury is a rare incident for the sport, a former club president says.
The bull dislocated a hind leg in the arena and it had to be put down before being carted away on Monday.
Past president Lyal Cocks, who also has a national role in animal welfare for the sport, said serious injuries to animals were rare.
Records showed 9789 animals were involved in rodeos in New Zealand in the previous season, he said.
There were 52 injuries and 47 were considered minor.
Mr Cocks is part of an animal welfare committee that was set up in 2019 after a government review.
In 2018, he said the greatest risk was to human competitors and the sport was dedicated to improving safety.
His role now included collating and reviewing information, which included the Te Anau incident.
New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association animal welfare officer Marty Deans said the bull was hurt after a high buck of its legs.
Attendants rushed in to prevent the animal from moving, a screen was put up, a veterinarian used a captive bolt gun to kill the bull humanely and it was rolled out of the arena and taken off the ground in a vehicle, he said.
"The leg just came out of its hip socket," Mr Deans said.
"But it was something you can never repair, and the animal is always put down when that happens to it.
"Once the screen was up, it went from there, so it was only probably a matter of a five-minute operation."
Mr Deans said he understood the rider was from Australia.
Hato Hone St John said it was notified of an incident near Rodeo Dr in Te Anau about 2pm on Monday.
One ambulance responded and took a patient — thought to be the rider — in a minor condition to Te Anau Medical Centre, a spokeswoman said.
The Ministry for Primary Industries confirmed it was investigating.
"The bull was euthanised within three minutes of sustaining the injury by an attending vet," compliance and response director Glen Burrell said.
A vet experienced in treating horses and cattle must be present throughout each rodeo, he said.
The MPI said it was a 3-year-old bull.
Anti Rodeo Action NZ highlighted the bull’s death in a social media post.
