PETA Speaks About Eight Belles Being Driven To Fatal Injuries on Track
May 5th, 2008 | 3 responses
PETA is demanding changes after Eight Belles’ death.
From Game On page:
Because of the Kentucky Derby collapse and death of filly Eight Belles, the horse racing world is about to find out what PETA’s spurs feel like.
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has called for the suspension and investigation of Eight Belles jockey Gabriel Saez, and also has started an online petition to change the rules of thoroughbred racing.
Flatly ignoring PETA’s suggestions could be risky for a sport where interest has steadily waned, and which is under siege after a succession of high-profile horses dying on the track.
PETA flexed considerable muscle in the sports world last year, raising the outrage about the Michael Vick dogfighting charges that sent the Atlanta Falcons quarterback to prison.
PETA’s four demands are:
1) No racing or training for a thoroughbred until it turns 3 years old. The organization contends the animals’ legs aren’t fully developed until then.
2) No more racing on dirt tracks. The group says the synthetic surfaces now used at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., and at California tracks are far safer and result in fewer equine breakdowns and fatalities.
3) Cap the number of times a horse races each year.
4) Ban whipping. PETA says that when jockeys flail horses with a riding crop the animals can be forced beyond their physical limits.
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see also A Lost Story About Why Horses Came to Earth, by Dr. E, here. Also see Shaun Mullen’s piece at Kiko’s House, “Why It’s Long Past Time To Clean Up U.S. Thoroughbred Racing” here
3 Responses to “PETA Speaks About Eight Belles Being Driven To Fatal Injuries on Track”
I think breeding practices have a lot to do with this. The US breeds horses for speed, not endurance, and inbreeding breeds in their frailties.
Also, the US is the only country (how often the US is the “only county' these days) to allow the use of certain medications to mask/block pain. This allows putting horses in a race that are already in some physical difficulty, as evidenced by the pain..
The matter of medications seems more important than what PETA is petitioning for.
To me, this is just another form of rampant greed overtaking any moral considerations. Anything that will make a buck for the owners!
dear Runasim: that ought be on the list. As I understand it from speaking to those who have knowledge; the use of steroids amongst other pain dulling medications is used at tracks. To run a horse to destruction… for money… there might be a place in hell…
dr.e
This is a comment from CStanley who often comments at THe Moderate Voice. CStanley is an animal vet.
>>>Dr. E: From the little bit that I skimmed yesterday, I'd say I'm in agreement with what was written about the racehorse industry. In fact from just a casual reading, I think this may be one of the rare times that I completely agree with PETA. The drug and painkiller issue is a tough one because as a veterinarian we often have to weigh the benefits of such treatments against the fact that animals themselves can't understand the need to rest or restrict their own activity. And of course, when the animal's owner feels that he can ignore that advice as well, and either neglects or purposely contradicts it, then the results from the animal are disastrous. But it makes for a difficult ethical position for veterinarians- withhold pain medication, which is obviously inhumane in some cases, or know that by prescribing it you risk the animal's health and welfare as well if the owner or handler will not follow medical advice? (written by C. Stanley)>>>>>>>>
dr.e