Some recent rulings from the world of harness racing…
Northville Downs, May 20: “While driving Yankee Time, Justin Irvine did violate the whipping policy [by] leaving welts on the horse.” Fined $300, no suspension.
Hoosier Park, Jun 3: “While driving The Pantheist A, Jordan Ross did cause welts while whipping the horse.” Fined $300, no suspension – and this was his second offense. Then this: “Penalty was mitigated because Mr. Ross was within the whipping guidelines.”
Four days later, same track: “While driving Hallmark Janie, Jordan Ross did cause welts while whipping the horse.” Again: $300 fine, no suspension. And though now his third offense, “penalty was mitigated because Mr. Ross was within the whipping guidelines.”
Then under the heading “Minor Penalties,” the following were busted at Saratoga Harness for the offense of “kicking a horse”: Walter Hennessy, Jun 10, fined $100, no suspension; Philip James Fluet, Jun 11, fined $250, suspended one day. Again, for “kicking a horse.”
This is horseracing.
IF ONLY the punishment for inhumane treatment of horses could be 20 to 39 lashes across the backside of the people who commit these cruel acts against horses…
No person should be allowed to whip horses and leave welts. To say leaving welts on racehorses is within the whipping guidelines is morally depraved.
#EndHorseracingNOW
#HorseracingIsAnimalCruelty
I’m just now getting familiar with United States Trotting Association, and the sad fact that their supposed punishments may be even more lax than many of the state commissions out there that regulate thoroughbreds. Disgusting. And yes, I’m in full support of meaningful penalties too. There is no incentive to stop the abuse.
No horse should be abused this way or any way. The abusers are guilty of animal cruelty and should be punished.