Last Tuesday, we reported that 4-year-old West Star was euthanized at Pimlico Apr 24 for “laminitis in all four feet” and “sepsis induced by severe lung abscesses.” While more than enough, that’s only part of the tragedy.
To explain, I’ve decided to post the entire statement from the vet who attended to West Star at the end. As you’ll see, throughout that day she describes West as being in “a lot of pain and distress,” and “thrashing in the stall.” Please pay particular attention to “Additional Information – Communication With Client.” I’ve also attached a further doc from the necropsy, describing the use of “dirty, contaminated bandages.” In short, trainer Antonio Machado should not only be forever barred from working with (read: exploiting) animals, but he should be brought up on animal-cruelty charges (relevant Maryland statute here). We will have an action on this soon.
Finally, I’ve attached a necropsy photo of West Star. Look into his eye, and contemplate, really contemplate, what he suffered and died for. For shame, America.
(Note: Dr. Daniel took over the case on Wed, Apr 24 – the day West died – not Apr 26.)
I read every word of all paragraphs
My heart aches for this poor creature having suffered for months..
Someone must
be held responsible ..at the least he’s not suffering anymore :(
My read of these reports points to trainers and Machado willfully refusing to put any effort or money towards helping West Star. None of them cared at all for West Star. He suffered for no reason but for their indifference and possibly disdain. Out and out cruelty, and which is of course THE hallmark of this industry.
Antonio Machado, a licensed trainer, used dirty bandages that were contaminated with who knows what and REFUSED to allow anyone to take the sick and dying horse to the animal hospital. What was his excuse? There is no excuse for this unacceptable cruelty to a horse!
Yes, and where were the stewards, the racing commissioners, the staff of the racetrack in addition to the “doctors of veterinary medicine”???
All good points, Marie. Can you imagine being so afraid for your life that you watch a horse die in agony and misery??? And they say horse racing is “safe”.. ISN’T THAT SPECIAL?!
These rat bastards should have been brought up on charges, with the treating vet initiating it. This was clearly neglect and ambivalence. In fact, even the vet should be in trouble for allowing this to go on a whole day before truly acting on it. If this was a human and a doctor hemmed and hawed over treatment, would they not be up on malpractice charges?
I get that tracks are a cesspool, and the vets may even fear for their lives if they started the ball rolling on abuse charges. But if I were a vet and dealt with this- it would be time for a scenery change and to move on to another type of practice.
I agree. I know that racing is allowed to police itself (eye roll), but surely state cruelty laws would over rule any track regulations? The state must be able to intervene? If a dog was found in someone’s home with these injuries, the owners would certainly be prosecuted. Why are horses different? Poor West Star and so many others just like him.
Beyond Heartbreaking…. this is why NO ONE should patronize racing.💔
This cruel & inhumane trainer if you can him that should be barred from ever having care or responsibility over horses for ever! We think the vets should have been able to step in & take complete care & control over the horse. Just like in child abuse situations.