Through a FOIA request to the Maryland Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks thus far this year. (Because the details, including vet testimony, are so powerful – and damning – I will post in multiple installments so as to give each death its proper due.)
Vern H, May 13, Pimlico R
“The horse appeared to take a bad step. The horse took several more strides and then collapsed…catastrophic injury to the right front shoulder…euthanized on the track.”
Da Chrome, May 29, Pimlico R
“Broke down just past 5/16 pole…believed to have an open [through the skin] fracture of left front ankle…. The horse was euthanized off [italics added] the track.” Also: “The right lip fold is lacerated and the overlying skin is missing deep into the dermis. There is blood coming from the nostrils and the skin around the right eye has…hemorrhage. The skin of the scrotum is also partially missing. Severe ulcers [in] stomach.”
Da Chrome was just three years old. This poor, poor boy.
Silver Sun, Jun 26, Timonium S (scheduled to be raced that day at Pimlico)
“The gelding was tied to the stall wall ready to come to the races. While the connections went to get the trailer, the horse flipped…suffer[ing] acute brain trauma.”
OMG how can people involved with racehorses let this happen! All these horses have not had a chance to enjoy life, so young! I’m sure all the attendees at race tracks are not aware of all the pain that some of these young horses go through, maybe if they did things like this wouldn’t happen!!! Of course, even if people didn’t attend the races they would continue as well as the animal abuse! Money is the cause of all EVIL!
HORSERACING must be RECOGNIZED BY LAW as the CRIMINAL ACTIVITY THAT IT IS!!!!! IF everyone would stop placing bets on race horses, the so-called Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association members would have a screaming conniption fit. IF the source of money dried up, the abuses committed on the horses being used and abused and brutalized everyday for gambling and racing would be reduced. I can’t imagine what these evil people did to cause some of the injuries to the horses, especially the horse named DA CHROME. He had life-ending injuries and missing skin!
This despicable industry needs to PUNISHED BY LAW and the laws against Felony Animal Cruelty must be ENFORCED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I totally agree with Wanda Diamond!
Amen