Some hunters use a bow and arrow to hunt animals because they consider it to be an ‘art’ or challenge that requires skill and patience. However, from an animal welfare perspective it results in significant pain and suffering. Wounding rates can be high, the time to death can be prolonged…
Horse racing inherently poses significant risks to animal welfare. Racing horses in very hot weather places them at significant risk of dehydration and heat stress. However, there are no consistent rules that prohibit horse racing in Australia above a specific temperature. Horses are particularly prone to heat stress due to…
A tongue tie is a large band (leather/rubber or lycra/neoprene) that is tightly wrapped around a horse’s tongue and then tied around the lower jaw to keep the tongue in place during training or racing. The use of tongue ties is permitted under the rules of racing and is widespread…
RSPCA Australia is opposed to the use of live animals or animal carcasses or any part of an animal as a bait or lure for the purpose of training, baiting and blooding of greyhounds or other racing dogs. Only non-animal devices and products should be used for training purposes. Live…
The RSPCA considers that there are significant ongoing animal welfare problems in the greyhound racing industry. These include but are not limited to, that too many dogs are bred and subsequently passed on which overwhelm rehoming groups; unacceptably high rates of injuries and deaths; and continued incidents of live baiting…
The use of dogs in hunting can pose welfare risks to both the animal being hunted and the dog. The regulations and licences regarding the use of dogs in hunting vary between states and territories. In summary, dogs are used during hunting in the following ways: to locate and flush…
The use of dogs in pig hunting poses significant welfare risks to both the pig being hunted and the dogs involved. Hunting pigs with dogs involves the dog flushing out the pig and chasing it until it is exhausted or cornered. When the pig has been ‘bailed up’ (the pig…
The use of dogs in hunting can pose welfare risks to both the animal being hunted and the dog. Deer are ‘flighty’ animals and are easily frightened by dogs, so being chased by them, even for short periods, has the potential to result in distress to the deer and injuries…
A rodeo is a form of entertainment or sport where horses and cattle are used to demonstrate what the organisers say are riding and handling skills. Events include bronco riding, bull riding, calf roping, team roping and steer wrestling. The RSPCA is opposed to rodeos and rodeo schools because of the potential…
The RSPCA is opposed to the use of whips for the purpose of enhancing performance in racing due to the pain and distress they inflict on horses. The RSPCA supports the introduction of hands-and-heels racing where whips are carried for safety purposes where proven necessary. The use of whips in…