The running of the . . . sheep???

Thanks to Grace B. for e-mailing this story to me.

It seems that the world-famous running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain (and elsewhere) has inspired others. According to a New Zealand report:

Safety arrangements at New Zealand's answer to Spain's "Running of the Bulls" - the "Running of the Sheep" – are being reviewed after hundreds of the animals ran amok through Te Kuiti injuring a spectator on Saturday.




They leapt over barriers designed to keep them on the main street and protect 7000 spectators who turned up to watch the annual event.

All semblance of order completely broke down with the sheep crossing the main road and the rail track before heading into the hills.




One woman was taken to hospital after being knocked unconscious when she was bowled over by the frightened sheep.

There's more at the link.

Clearly, this year's event was something of an aberration. Last year's was a lot more peaceful, to judge from this video clip.

Now, if they'd import a few sets of longhorns from Texas (the horns, not the whole steer!) and mount them on the rams, things might get a whole lot more interesting in the streets of Te Kuiti!






Peter