Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky slammed over 'awful' family activity: 'This should stop'

Elsa Pataky and Chris Hemsworth have come under fire from angry animal lovers as well as nonprofit organisation PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) after taking their kids to a local rodeo night. "Starting the year with a little bit of adrenaline! 🤣 Rodeo night!! I almost have a hard attack! 🙈," Elsa captioned her Instagram post, showing her daughter, India Rose riding a bull.

PETA has slammed the actions of the Hemsworth family, with PETA Senior Campaigns Advisor Mimi Bekhechi telling Yahoo Lifestyle that the rodeo is 'by definition cruelty to animals'. "Elsa Pataky shouldn’t be the only one whose stomach drops at the sight of her daughter riding a bull— anyone who cares about animals should give these spectacles of suffering a Thor-sized berth," Mimi said.

"Rodeo participants use electric prods, flank straps, and spurs to burn, wound, terrorise, and provoke animals who are trying to flee for their lives. Baby animals are mercilessly chased, choked, and tackled to the ground, and gentle bulls, steers, and horses commonly sustain broken bones, punctured lungs, snapped necks, or torn muscles. The rodeo is, by definition, cruelty to animals."

Fans divided over Hemsworth family outing

Online, people had mixed opinions about the family outing, with some sticking up for the family and others outraged.

"This should stop. What a stupid example for kids," one person ranted. "Nothing to be proud of!!" "This is awful! Animal abuse should not be celebrated," another agreed.

"These forms of "entertainment" at the expense of animals should disappear soon... there are so many other ways that do not involve this pure exploitation for no reason at all..." someone else commented.

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There were also some people in the comments who defended the family.

"The animals are not hurt. Rodeo cattle and horses are well taken care of. RSPCA makes sure of that," one person said. "They buck to get the human off. These are only small steers. Kids are having fun, safety gear on. I love how normal a life the Hemsworths lead for their kids!"

"Omg this is so cool , how brave," another commented.

Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky under fire for new family member

The latest controversy comes not long after the family upset some people by introducing their new dog, an adorable German Shepherd.

Elsa showed off the new puppy, who she didn't reveal the name of in a series of images, cuddling up to the dog. While many fans commented on how cute their new addition is, some people had a problem that the star couple went through a breeder and not through an adoption or rescue centre.

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"At the moment, there are people dumping and surrendering dogs in precedent numbers," Kerrin Lee from Jades Dog Rescue NSW told Yahoo Lifestyle. "Pounds and rescues are inundated. It is a constant battle to find dogs' homes with no resolution in sight."

"Adopting a dog from a pound or from a rescue will save one more dog from death. Thousands of unwanted dogs are killed every year," Kerrin continued. "We always promote adopt don’t shop, but we also understand that not everyone wants to adopt a rescue dog."

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