Agriculture Victoria has responded to questions regarding the Mountain Cattlemen of Victoria (MCAV) Get-Together wild horse catch event, unfortunately the response came after this newspaper’s print deadline at 7pm last Tuesday.
According to Agriculture Victoria, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA Act) and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019 (Regulations), provided a regulatory framework for the operation of rodeos and rodeo schools in Victoria.
This legislation sets out requirements, including the need for a licence or permit to operate a rodeo, defined under the Act as an event which includes any exhibition of or competition in buckjumping, rough-riding, animal-dogging, roping or tying.
“The horse catch event is a rodeo, therefore requiring a rodeo permit,” an Agriculture Victoria spokesperson said.
“Unfortunately, the event organisers enquired without adequate notice for a permit to be assessed and granted in time for this portion of the event to go ahead.
“Agriculture Victoria takes animal welfare seriously and supports the requirement for the proper permits to be obtained prior to events involving animals taking place.
One of the judges of the wild horse catch at the Get-Together, Darren Towns, of Maffra, criticised AgVic’s position, saying the answer meant nothing.
“It’s just spin,” Mr Towns said.
“Putting a halter on a horse is not a rodeo – it’s the traditional method of handling a horse for the first time and the start of its association with humans.
“At the races on the weekend were all those Thoroughbreds that had to have a halter on them at the start.
“They’ve just put it under one big rodeo umbrella so they can say no.
“It’s hard to take them seriously when they say they’re about animal welfare and they’re allowing shooting of brumbies in the bush.
“AgVic and Parks Victoria have a lot to answer for in this district.”
MCAV president, Cass McCormack, said the organisation had contacted AgVic in the months leading up to the event, but it was only at the last minute the need for a permit was confirmed.
“Unfortunately, time and the wild horses selected for use meant complying with a rodeo permit was not possible,” Ms McCormack said.
“Instead, the MCAV came up with what we considered was a fantastic work-around so that we were able to put on a wonderful final event for all our competitors and spectators.
“We look forward to working with Ag Vic next year.”
According to the emailed response from AgVic, Animal Welfare Victoria grants permits and licences to those individuals and organisations that meet the requirements of the POCTA Act and Regulations.
Applicants must be accredited by an Approved Rodeo Organisation prior to applying for a licence or permit and applications for must be made at least 28 days prior to the rodeo start date, or for an annual licence, at least 28 days before the date of the first rodeo to be held under the licence.
Rodeo licences and permits are subject to conditions, which includes but not limited to adhering to the Animal Welfare Plan submitted with the application and ensuring that a vet is in attendance at all rodeo events.
AgVic said the MCAV provided information on the horse catch event, scheduled for October 20, to Animal Welfare Victoria on October 11.
The event organisers were advised of the outcome of their assessment on October 15, with advice to cancel the proposed horse catch component of the event as a permit would not be able to be assessed and processed in time.
