Current:Home > MarketsProtesters say school kids swung dead cats to mock them at New Zealand feral animal hunt weigh-in-LoTradeCoin
Protesters say school kids swung dead cats to mock them at New Zealand feral animal hunt weigh-in
View Date:2024-12-24 10:20:01
Wellington — A New Zealand school's "cat hunt" fundraiser has caused outcry after children dangled dead feral cats in front of animal rights activists while chanting "meat, meat, meat."
The North Canterbury Hunting Competition grabbed international headlines earlier this year when it announced children under 14 could sign up to shoot feral cats.
The junior category was eventually scrapped following public uproar, with activists arguing novice hunters might accidentally take out someone's beloved pet instead of a feral pest.
- Monkey torture video ring uncovered by BBC investigation
But an adults-only version of the feral cat section went ahead with a series of strict rules in place, alongside categories for wild pigs, possums, rats and deer.
Christchurch Animal Save spokesperson Sarah Jackson was part of a small group who turned up to protest the event over the weekend, as hopeful hunters brought their prized carcasses to be weighed.
Jackson said the group of six protesters were "taunted" by children, who "began repeatedly chanting 'meat' whilst swinging around dead cats."
"Before this we had children telling us to go and eat carrots and grass and that we were going to die from a lack of protein and iron," Jackson told AFP. "The first thing we saw when we arrived was children having relay races with the deceased bodies of animals from their shoulders and backs. These included baby pigs, rabbits and possums."
Organizers told local media that the protesters had provoked the children, and that criticism of the competition ignored the devastating impact feral species have in the country.
The competition was run as a fundraiser for a school in Rotherham, a small village on New Zealand's South Island.
Feral cats present a major headache for New Zealand's conservation department, which says they hunt and kill endangered birds as well as bats and lizards.
They can be difficult to distinguish from short-haired tabbies, according to the government, but typically grow much bigger.
- In:
- Hunting
- Animal Abuse
- New Zealand
- Protest
- Animal Cruelty
veryGood! (98)
Related
- Bo the police K-9, who located child taken at knifepoint, wins Hero Dog Awards 2024
- Images from NASA's DART spacecraft reveal insights into near-Earth asteroid
- Judge hears NFL’s motion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case, says jury did not follow instructions on damages
- Daughter of Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley says she thought baby died after she gave birth
- Suspected shooter and four others are found dead in three Kansas homes, police say
- Hawaii Gov. Josh Green tells AP a $4 billion settlement for 2023 Maui wildfire could come next week
- Claim to Fame: '80s Brat Pack Legend's Relative Revealed
- Black and other minority farmers are getting $2 billion from USDA after years of discrimination
- Pistons' Tim Hardaway Jr. leaves in wheelchair after banging head on court
- Dunkin' debuts new iced coffee drinks in collaboration with celebrity chef Nick DiGiovanni
Ranking
- Kristin Cavallari's Ex Mark Estes Jokingly Proposed to This Love Island USA Star
- Dunkin' debuts new iced coffee drinks in collaboration with celebrity chef Nick DiGiovanni
- Hailey Merkt, former 'The Bachelor' contestant, dies at 31
- Shot putter Ryan Crouser has chance to make Olympic history: 'Going for the three-peat'
- Mike Williams Instagram post: Steelers' WR shades Aaron Rodgers 'red line' comments
- Claim to Fame: '80s Brat Pack Legend's Relative Revealed
- Braves launch Hank Aaron week as US Postal Service dedicates new Aaron forever stamp
- 2024 Olympics: British Swimmer Luke Greenbank Disqualified for Breaking Surprising Rule
Recommendation
-
Brian Kelly asks question we're all wondering after Alabama whips LSU, but how to answer?
-
Torri Huske becoming one of Team USA's biggest swimming stars in Paris Olympics
-
Texas radio host’s lover sentenced to life for role in bilking listeners of millions
-
Etsy plans to test its first-ever loyalty program as it aims to boost sales
-
Daniele Rustioni to become Metropolitan Opera’s principal guest conductor
-
Inmate identified as white supremacist gang leader among 3 killed in Nevada prison brawl
-
Treat Yourself to These Luxury Beauty Products That Are Totally Worth the Splurge
-
Britney Spears' Ex Sam Asghari Shares What He Learned From Their Marriage