Some recent harness rulings…
Derik Scott, Northfield, Jul 11:
“Mr. Scott was observed whipping a horse in the barn area on his way to the track. His action was against the best interest of racing. Mr. Scott is hereby fined $1,000 and suspended for 15 days. The penalty will be reduced to $500 and 7 days if not appealed.”
Christopher Beaver, Scioto, Jul 23:
“Mr. Beaver’s conduct was against the best interest of horse racing when using poor judgement by using his foot to impel Wild As You, who had fallen onto the track and was preventing other horses from coming onto the track, back up onto her feet during the post parade. Mr. Beaver is fined $1,000 and given a 15-day suspension, or the penalty will be reduced to just a $1,000 fine if not appealed.”
Kiwon Waldron, Hoosier, Jul 23:
“While driving Airbus, Kiwon Waldron was found to have left welts on the horse. For this violation, Mr. Waldron is fined $200.”
Donald Coy, Hoosier, Jul 25:
“While driving Flashingmytips, Mr. Coy used the whip in a manner which left welts on the horse. For this violation, Mr. Coy is fined $200.”
Nick Roland, Running Aces, Jul 25:
“Nick Roland did use the whip while staying in the boundaries of MN Rules, but Prom Queen did have marks while being examined in the Test Barn. Due to these mitigating factors, the penalty has been reduced.” Fined $250.
And under “Minor Penalties”:
Jason Bartlett, Saratoga, Jul 20: “Kicking a horse.” Fined $500, suspended three days.
Chris Presley, Scioto, Jul 23: “Kicking a horse.” Fined $300.
Meant to write NO reduction of penalties.
What should happen is horse racing should be banned completely, but until then the penalties should fit the crime.
#HorseracingIsAnimalCruelty
There should be reduction in penalties for this abuse of horses!
These morally depraved people are not interested in the best interests of the horses, or they would get out of this industry that routinely abuses horses for racing and wagering. The horses are subject to cruel confinement and whipping routinely.
They appear to be concerned about only their image as it appears to the people who don’t know and/or don’t care that racing itself is Animal Cruelty.
Penalties for actions that are not in the “best interests of racing” appear to be more important to these morally depraved horse-exploiting people than penalties for violations of Animal Welfare.