Through a FOIA request to the California Horse Racing Board, I have obtained the following details on some of that state’s kills this year.
Caerulean, Feb 8, Santa Anita T
“Cardiopulmonary failure due to severe exercise-associated pulmonary hemorrhage – both lungs.” Also: “examination suggests previous bouts of pulmonary hemorrhage; evidence of previous articular fracture with [missing] bone fragment; palmar osteochondral disease; several chronic stomach ulcers.” Caerulean was five years old.
Decorated My Life, Feb 11, Santa Anita R
“[Multiple] open [through skin], complete, comminuted fractures; [multiple] ligament ruptures; [multiple] tendon ruptures; rupture of fetlock joint capsule.” Also: “palmar osteochondral disease [both front limbs, “severe” in leg that broke]; gastric ulceration.” Decorated turned three that very day.
Cailin Diana, Mar 13, Los Alamitos T
“Pulmonary hemorrhage, epistaxis from both nostrils.” Cailin, four, bled to death.
Beverly Vista, Mar 18, Santa Anita R
“[Multiple] open, complete, comminuted fractures; [multiple] ligament ruptures; tendon rupture; rupture of fetlock joint capsule.” Also: “palmar osteochondral disease [both front limbs, “severe” in leg that broke].” Beverly was just two, and this was his very first race.
“No cash value” is what some people say about an animal that can’t be used for financial gain. These atrocities happen because greed is their creed in horseracing.
I just don’t understand why these deaths aren’t being investigated under animal cruelty laws.
Are racetracks somehow exempt? If not, what can be done?
My understanding is that it is up to the state to do something to control the number of violations of the rules of racing and horse deaths, especially racing deaths. The state racing commission (CHRB) is the “fox” that “guards” the “hen house” so that’s part of the reason why they came up with the so-called Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act to be followed by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority which also has an “enforcement arm” called the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit.
EXCELLENT QUESTIONS, Rick.
If someone can elaborate on this, please do.