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Source: ONE News
The annual pig hunt is a big event in the north Canterbury town of Waiau and one of the highlights used to be the 'rabbit throw'. However, this year it has been cancelled.
The competition is for kids to see how far they can hurl a dead bunny and was a much loved part of the event, but outrage from animal activists resulted in its cancellation.
When the annual pig hunt rolls around the 400 strong settlement of Waiau starts buzzing.
Organiser Jo Moriarty says the area is perfect for the event as it is a rural community full of pig hunters.
The hunt is a three day event filled with festivities and is used as a fundraiser for the community. However, the shenanigans are a little tarnished this year with the cancellation of the much loved rabbit throw.
It has left residents of Waiau disappointed.
The rabbit throw was cancelled when the SPCA got wind it and after so many recent cases of animal cruelty they were outraged.
The SPCA says to throw dead rabbits around sends a message to children that dead animals are fun and a form of entertainment and that, that is not a message children should be sent.
After hearing these concerns the organisers decided to cancel the throw as they want to make sure the pig hunt is a positive experience. But not everyone in the community supports that move.
Moriarty says some people in the community feel quite strongly about it and don't think it should be cancelled.
She says children in a community like Waiau have a better respect for animals as they are brought up with them.
Wild rabbits in New Zealand are a huge pest. There are around 30 million of them and they cause an estimated $22 million worth of damage to the economy every year. In Waiau there are farmers employed full time for rabbit eradication.
The SPCA, however, say the fact these animals are pests does not
justify inhumane treatment in death.
Should the Pig Hunt's annual rabbit throw competition
have been cancelled or is the SPCA going too far in
trying to protect pests? Leave your thoughts on the messageboard
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentrsq195 said on 2009-10-22 @ 13:23 NZDT: Report abusive post
i think the spca has gone way to far rabbits are a pest, get over yourselfs, thanks spca for killing the community spirit you are winners,