Vancouver Horse Deaths Horrify Animal Rights Activists
Animal rights activists are questioning the high number of horse deaths at the Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, Canada, after details were published in the government's freedom-of -information website.
Twenty race horses have died at the racecourse in the last 20 months and
necropsy reports released through the freedom-of-information law have made
animal rights activists react with revulsion and anger.
In the majority of the Hastings Racecourse deaths, untreatable fractures were
the cause. Thirteen of the twenty horses were euthanized after they suffered
fractures to the leg, shoulder or pelvis. In other cases, horses died from a
range of causes including pulmonary edema and foot infections.
These details have forced animal rights organizations to come out strongly against horse racing. They are appealing to the Canadian public to reconsider their support for such events where animals are subjected to undue risk or stress.
The Vancouver Humane Society's Peter Fricker called the statistics "disturbing" and said that he would certainly not attend a horse race. He added that there were also concerns that when horses are unable to race anymore, some are auctioned off and sent to slaughter houses.
Another organization called Lifeforce represented by member Peter Hamilton, stated that if the public learnt about horse racing-related injuries and deaths, they would be "appalled".
Great Canadian Gaming Corporation Issues Rebuttal
As expected, the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation which owns Hastings Racecourse has come up with a strong rebuttal of these charges. Its vice president, Howard Blank, said that while the 20 deaths were indeed unfortunate, that they should be seen in the context of the number of horses (5000 to 6000) that race every season at Hastings.
Blank also commented that thoroughbred horses race an average of once a month and that when compared to the industry's average mortality rate, Hastings Racecourse is one of the safest for horses in North America.
According to the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch, the regulatory body for horse racing, the North America average for equine fatalities is two for every 1000 horses that start a race.
Blank also emphasized that unlike in many other race courses, owners and trainers can withdraw a horse just prior to a race, without being penalized, if any medical conditions are brought to light at the last minute. Vets examine all horses for such conditions before the start of every race.
Blank attempted to explain the reason for the high number of fracture injuries in race horses. He said that race horses were bred for speed and consequently they were delicate in the lower body. Their legs were like little sticks carrying the massive weight of the upper body.
He added that Hastings worked with a thoroughbred adoption society, New Stride, to find humane adoption solutions for retired race horses.
