“The only way to stop these terrible fatalities is to ban jumps racing outright,” said Verna Simpson, HSI Director. “The risks can never be eliminated because forcing horses to jump fences at high speed is simply dangerous. HSI wants to see an immediate ban to protect these animals from further carnage.”
It was reported that another horse fell during the Great Easter Steeplechase event yesterday and was not immediately destroyed, but it was feared that the horse may be put down later. The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses stated that 11 of the horses to race yesterday had also raced on Saturday. The Coalition remarked how it was reprehensible that the racing industry allows these fatigued racehorses to compete in two major races in just three days.
Whilst the abhorrent cruelty of jumps racing has been recognised in most States causing them to make it illegal, South Australia and Victoria are the only remaining States where the sport is still permitted. Race officials argue that they do everything to make sure they have the safest possible race, but this is clearly not enough. The fact that there is such a high risk of death or injury to the horses alone should warrant an immediate ban.
FACTS
The 2012 jumps racing season has already seen two deaths:
- Jotilla failed to clear a jump during the first race of the season at Sandown in Melbourne and was destroyed afterwards on 28 March 2012.
- Virvacity was destroyed after falling and breaking his shoulder at the Oakbank Easter racing carnival on 7 April 2012.
- TAKE ACTION -
TELL AUSSIE RACING BOSSES TO BAN WHIPS
http://www.animalsaustralia.org/take_action/whips/
Help End Jumps Racing Carnage
http://www.animalsaustralia.org/take_action/jumps-racing-tragedy/
Learn More
The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorse
http://www.horseracingkills.com/
