Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky slammed for taking kids to rodeo: ‘Dangerous and irresponsible’

Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky have been called out for a ‘dangerous and irresponsible’ family outing they shared online.

Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky have been called out by animal rights group PETA for taking their three young children to a rodeo in Australia.

The Hollywood power couple shared footage of their family day out with daughter India, 12, and 10-year-old twin sons, Sasha and Tristan, shown riding a bucking bull.

“Starting the year with a little bit of adrenaline! Rodeo night!! I almost have a hard [sic] attack!” Pataky, 48, captioned the video.

In the clip, India fearlessly emerges from the bucking chute, riding on the bull while gripping the braided rope. She gives it a red-hot shot before falling off into the dirt.

Chris Hemsworth fist-pumps daughter India before she gets on the bull as mum Elsa Pataky looks on. Picture: Instagram

India, 12, bravely waits in the bucking chute, sitting on the bull.

“Let’s hear it for her, guys. Indie does well,” a commentator is heard saying in a slow-mo video replay screened at the grounds, which also featured in the clip.

Elsewhere in the footage, Hemsworth’s son Sasha is also be seen bravely getting on the bucking bull before also falling moments later.

After Pataky shared the clip on Instagram, her followers were not impressed with the family’s choice of outing.

The couple with their sons Sasha and Tristan at the rodeo in Australia.

“This is silly fun, the animal is a living creature and is, stressed. One should have compassion and not participate in this silly entertainment, let alone support children in it,” one commented.

“Omg! So dangerous and irresponsible. Poor kids!” another chimed in, with one user writing, “This is awful! Animal abuse should not be celebrated.”

News.com.au has reached out to Hemsworth and Pataky’s management for comment.

Meanwhile, other followers praised the couple’s kids for being brave enough to participate at the rodeo.

“She is a little legend! Nice riding Indy!” one wrote, as another echoed, “Great work kids, I let my kids do the same thing at that age, they loved it.”

The couple’s son Sasha, 10, also gives it a go.

Australian animal welfare organisation the RSPCA opposes rodeos, with a spokesperson telling news.com.au that the rodeos pose “inherent risks for significant injury, suffering or distress of animals who are used purely for sport and entertainment.

“Based on observed behaviour, there is very little evidence that the animals ‘enjoy’ the rodeo experience.

“The RSPCA believe it is important that the public are aware that rodeos involve several different events including calf rope and tie (also known as calf roping), steer wrestling, bull riding and bronco riding cause fear and anxiety as well as risk of pain, injury and death.”

Animal welfare organisation PETA issued a statement to news.com.au today condemning Pataky and Hemsworth for the activity.

“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,” PETA senior campaigns advisor Mimi Bekhechi said in the statement.

“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.”