SINCE the launch of Animal Aid’s Race Horse Deathwatch website (www.horsedeathwatch.com) more than four years ago, more than 700 horses have been killed on British racecourses.
Fatalities occur at an average rate of one every other day on Britain’s 60 racecourses. Two deaths in April’s Grand National and the abuse of the winning horse with the whip, highlighted growing public, media and political concern about the failure to protect the welfare of race horses.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA), which has responsibility for the welfare of race horses, has shown itself to be incapable of tackling the problems that beset the industry.
It’s time for the government to strip the BHA of its role as the industry’s regulator, and to undertake and put into the public domain a full audit of race horse production, death and injury.
For more information on race horse deaths or to order a Horse Racing Information Pack, visit www.animalaid .org.uk or call 01732 364546.
Dene Stansall Animal Aid
