No bull: Why this event has residents seeing red
Hundreds of people are taking the fight against a council decision to fund bull riding events by the horns, launching a petition to immediately withdraw ratepayers’ support.
A council’s $90,000 contribution to a “family-friendly event” has residents and animal rights activists seeing red, sparking an online petition to have the decision reversed.
More than 860 people have signed the petition calling on Redland City Council to immediately stop funding bull riding events with public money.
The petition, launched by resident Donna Weston, opposes the council’s decision to award $30,000 per year over three years to Redlands Bull Riding under its Signature Events Attraction and Retention Fund.
It also calls on the council to tighten its grant criteria to exclude events involving animals “for entertainment purposes” in the future.
“Bull riding requires the use of animals who cannot consent to participation,” Weston wrote.
“Standard practices associated with the sport … cause distress and, in some cases, physical harm to the animals involved.”
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The petition raised concerns about animal welfare practices, including the use of flank straps, chute confinement and reports of electric prods.
It also argued the funding has been directed to a commercial event, rather than a community organisation, and claimed the decision did not align with “contemporary community expectations”.
“Ratepayer and public money must reflect community values,” it said.
“Ours do not include the public subsidisation of animal cruelty.”
A spokesman for RSPCA Queensland told InDaily the organisation “opposes rodeos including bull riding, because of the inherent risk of pain, injury, suffering and distress to the animals involved”.
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“Recent incidents in Queensland have again shown that animals can and do suffer serious harm in rodeo events,” he said.
“Animals should not be placed at risk of fear, distress, injury or pain for entertainment.
“We encourage councils, event organisers and communities to consider animal welfare carefully when making decisions about events involving animals.”
A Redland City Council spokesman said the council was aware of the petition, but it did not meet the standard for a formal response.
“Change.org petitions are not formally lodged with (the) council,” he told InDaily.
“However, council officers consider all feedback as part of ongoing policy and program reviews.”
He said the grants were awarded as part of a structured program and were assessed against set criteria.
“Many factors were considered in determining the funding, including animal welfare, the economic benefit to the region, strategic alignment with council priorities, sustainability and event delivery capability, and past performance,” he said.
“An Animal Risk Management Plan was submitted by the organisers and reviewed for compliance with relevant guidelines and standards.”
According to the council website, the Signature Events Attraction and Retention Fund supports major events that “showcase the Redlands Coast and foster pride and connection within the community”.
Applications for the 2026/27 grant program will open from July 6.
They will stay open until April 30 next year or “until funds are exhausted”, the website said.
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