Animals in sport and
entertainment

Elephants in zoos

In general, the RSPCA is not opposed to the keeping of animals in government-endorsed zoos where:

• The behavioural, social and physiological needs of the captive animals are met.
• Documented animal management plans are kept and minimum husbandry standards are enforced. 
• Resources are invested in captive breeding programs for endangered species, where animals are released back into natural habitat.

Unfortunately, the specific needs of elephants cannot be adequately met in a captive zoo environment and as a consequence, the welfare of elephants kept in zoos is severely compromised. Potential causes for poor welfare includes restricted space and opportunity for exercise, unsuitable climate, extended periods of confinement, hard or wet flooring, inappropriate diet, small social groups, lack of stability in social groups, lack of opportunity to exhibit natural behaviours and exposure to aversive stimuli in training and handling.

In addition, zoos cannot mimic the social structure that elephants need to thrive. Elephants in the wild can exist in herds numbering up to 58 animals. When elephants are held in captivity, moved and separated from their herd, this causes unacceptable levels of distress and the breakdown of these family groups, especially for females who are intensely social.

The RSPCA was pleased to hear that Zoos Victoria is hoping to relocate the elephants from Melbourne Zoo to Werribee Open Range Zoo by 2020. This move will allow their elephants to express more normal behaviour, improving the welfare of these animals significantly.

Carriage horses

The use of carriage horses for entertainment in Melbourne has always been a concern of the RSPCA. Carriage horses are often forced to contend with trams, pedestrians, buses, cars and extreme weather in the depths of winter and summer. Until recently, they also did not have any standards in place to protect their welfare, including such things as agreed maximum working hours.

In recent years, the RSPCA harnessed community outrage to pressure the Melbourne City Council for introduced minimum standards for carriage horses. Although not all of the RSPCA's concerns were addressed, we were pleased that some changes were implemented, including improved license requirements to ensure easy identification of offenders.  Melbourne carriage horse operators now operate according to a respective Code of Practice.

These changes have helped improve the welfare of these horses but there is still work needed. We encourage the community to keep a watchful eye to ensure these horses are treated with respect and kindness. If you have any concerns for the health and safety of these horses - take action and contact our Inspectorate. Timeliness and recording as much detail as possible is critical - capture the following details:

• Date and location
  
• Description of the horse and carriage (colour, company name, permit plate number)
• Description of the driver
• Description of the animal welfare concern

Circus animals - Latest news

Circus animals

Greyhound racing

• Lack of comprehensive regulation of greyhound racing (including breeding, rearing, training and competition) to eliminate practices that cause injury, suffering or distress.  
• High level of over-breeding and oversupply of greyhounds in the industry, including a high number bred but not fit for competition, or those leaving the industry due to illness or injury. Sadly many of these dogs are euthanased.
  

Rodeos

Rodeos serve no useful purpose for the animal, pose a high risk of cruelty and subject animals to stress. Did you know?

• Horses and bulls have broken their necks or backs in bucking events.
• Cows have broken their legs in roping events.
• Calf roping causes severe bruising around the throat. 
• Flank straps, spurs and electric prods are used to inflict pain, making animals buck which often causes injury. 

Rodeos often involve a variety of events including animal roping, bucking and steer wrestling, all of which are cruel and cause distress to animals.

Calf roping

In this event, a calf is released from a chute and chased on horseback. Once the calf has been lassoed around the neck, the horse skids to a halt, the rider leaps from the saddle and then throws the calf to the ground.

To get points, three legs must be tied within 30 seconds of the calf being released from the chute. The frightened calf is travelling at high speed when lassoed and therefore the rope hits with great force. The calf may become airborne before crashing into the ground, placing it at high risk of breaking its back, neck or legs in the process. It's common for calves to tear ligaments, rupture discs, damage their thymus gland, trachea and suffer heamorrhaging.

Steer wrestling

In this event a steer is released and chased by two riders. One rider keeps the steer running in a straight line, while the other grabs the steer by the horns and leaps from his horse. This person twists the steer's neck to force it to the ground. The contestant has 30 seconds from the time the steer is released to throw it to the ground. Along with the stress of this brutal treatment, the steer is at high risk of breaking its neck and can receive painful injuries to its neck muscles and tendons.

Bucking events

In all bucking events, the aim of the rider is to stay on the animal for eight seconds after it's released from the chute. Horses are ridden either with a saddle and lead rope, or bareback. On bulls, a rope is pulled around the girth.

While horses may buck for fun in a natural environment, rodeo horses buck from torment. A flank strap is tightened painfully around the horse’s sensitive flank area as the chute gate is opened and the horse bucks in an attempt to stop the discomfort. Flank straps can cause painful open wounds and the repeated pounding on hard ground can result in back and leg injuries.

Although it's compulsory in Victoria to have a veterinarian in attendance at all rodeos, vets cannot prevent injuries and abuse. They can only treat the injuries after they have occurred or euthanase severely injured animals. Take action today to put an end to the cruelty of rodeos.

Jumps racing

In a jumps race there is a one in 10 chance of injury and high risk of death for the racehorse. In Victoria and South Australia where jumps racing continues, horses die during races every year.

The RSPCA is campaigning for a ban on jumps racing in Victoria. It’s only a matter of time that key decision makers, namely the Victorian State Government and Racing Victoria, face the reality that jumps racing is unacceptable.

View detailed jumps racing information and ways you can help stop this cruelty.