Through a FOIA request to the California Horse Racing Board, I have obtained the following details on some of that state’s kills last year (more can be found here).
Episode Five, Jul 29, Del Mar R (euth Aug 5)
“Breakdown followed by surgical repair: 16-hole compression plate, 19 screws, tension-band wire around fetlock joint. Six days post-op, horse was euthanized due to circulatory disorders and poor prognosis.” Now, the details of that “breakdown”: “[multiple] complete, displaced, comminuted fractures; [four] torn ligaments; [multiple] ruptured tendons; complete rupture of fetlock joint capsule; severe, regionally extensive hemorrhage.” Episode was just two years old. Oh, how this poor boy suffered. And all because Cal Racing is desperately trying to lower its kill numbers. For shame, doubly.
Vagabond Prayer, Aug 18, Del Mar T (euth Aug 19)
“Complete, displaced, comminuted humerus fracture; extensive hemorrhage.” Also: “osteochondral disease [both front limbs]; multiple gastric ulcerations.” Vagabond was three years old.
Peace of Mind, Sep 5, Del Mar S
“Fell: complete, displaced, comminuted femur fracture; extensive hemorrhage.” Peace of Mind was two years old.
Bellstreet Bridie, Oct 15, Santa Anita S
“Sudden death – cardiorespiratory collapse, hemorrhages in multiple locations.” Also: “stomach ulcers.” Bellstreet was four years old.
Shocked at the lengths of suffering the Horseracing industry are prepared to go to, to save face so that they can say the horse wasn’t killed.
The people who are responsible for this neverending abuse, brutality, cruelty to horses deserve to pay the price for their evil misdeeds. They don’t deserve to have horses.
These morally depraved people should be arrested, tried and convicted for their hideous violations of Animal Welfare Codes as well as Business Conduct Codes.
These vile people deserve to be locked up in small concrete cells for the rest of their disgusting lives for the abuse and killing of innocent horses.
Episode Five’s chart specifically says, “walked into van”. After reading his report, that’s even more egregious!