Tell These Politicians That Animal Cruelty Is Neither Fun Nor Funny

Follows is a guest post from our indefatigable leader, HW Executive Director Nicole Arciello. Please read through, and most important, take the action.

On October 8th, a group of New York State legislators gathered for an annual event called the Legislative Pace at Yonkers Raceway. If the subsidies that allow the continued abuse and death of horses isn’t enough to turn your stomach, seeing state lawmakers suited up in racing helmets and goggles sitting on sulkies to experience live racing is beyond sickening.

But this time something was different. No press releases. No social-media promotion. Why? Well, because of public pressure, of course. Activism.

Politico covered the event (though published over a month and a half later) in a piece titled: “Lawmakers’ secret horse ride.” Here is where we get closer to the truth: “One of the staffers organizing the event, who refused to identify himself, told [Politico], ‘We didn’t do a press release this year. We didn’t want any press ’cause we didn’t want any people picketing outside like last year.'”

Last year, there wasn’t “picketing outside,” but we (Horseracing Wrongs) did take direct action for the horses with calls and emails. Our HW Action Group on Facebook contacted all 17 NYS legislators who attended the 2024 event. We were tipped off, as in previous years, by press releases and the legislators themselves promoting the event. Many of our advocates had lengthy educational conversations with aides and staff.

So this year, they hide? I call it a victory in advocacy, but we can’t stop now.

The Politico article describes the event: “Right before dusk, the legislators rode next to professional drivers with whips in their hands, their galloping horses projected on stadium jumbotrons, as they raced around the track to the sound of enthusiastic announcers calling the race. Just like the real races, almost no one was watching.”

Did they even look at the empty stands? Maybe they’re just there for the commemorative jackets. They certainly aren’t there for their constituents. But you know who are? Senator Liz Krueger and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal.

Assemblymember Rosenthal told Politico she will carry her bill to redirect horseracing subsidies again this session. And Senator Krueger spoke out (from the piece): “‘I’m convinced, from the research around not just this country, but even the world, that absent major subsidization, there would be no horse racing,’ said state Sen. Liz Krueger, a vocal opponent to the state’s agreement to send about $230 million in slot machine revenues to the horse racing industry, and specifically harness racing. ‘It is not a form of gambling that draws patrons to come and watch the races,’ Krueger said.”

So, my horse- and animal-loving friends, it’s time to take action and educate (again) the handful of legislators named in the Politico piece. And let’s not forget to thank Senator Liz Krueger and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal (contact information at the bottom).

I believe phone calls are most effective, with follow-up emails (contact forms). Whatever time you have today, I promise it will make a difference for the horses. Action gets results. It’s how progress is made for animals. If we don’t speak up, who will?

Sample Script:
Hello, my name is ____. I’m calling regarding the “Legislative Pace” event at Yonkers Raceway on October 8th.

I was very disturbed to learn – through Politico’s article “Lawmakers’ secret horse ride” — that the assemblymember participated in racing horses while the public was intentionally kept in the dark. According to the article, an event staffer admitted they hid the event to avoid press and public pushback. That alone raises serious concerns about transparency and judgment.

Horses used for racing are confined to stalls for 23 hours a day, whipped to run, suffer painful injuries, and killed by the thousands for gambling and entertainment. This cruel industry is no longer popular with the public, so it relies on our tax dollars – to the tune of $230 million per year – to keep it propped up.

I’m calling to ask the assemblymember to stop participating in this event, to take a closer look at the cruelty and killing, and to work to end the massive subsidies that make it all possible.

Let’s start with Dias. From the Politico article: “Bronx Assemblymember Landon Dais, who took part in the event, said he wasn’t familiar with the state’s gaming revenue-sharing agreement with the horse racing industry, but he enjoyed the event anyway. ‘I have a lot of respect for animals and just how beautiful and majestic they are,’ said Dais. ‘I think it’s just getting a live experience of what the racers do and how it feels.'”

If Assemblymember Dias has a “a lot of respect for animals,” then he needs an education on horseracing cruelty (and the subsidies).

Bronx Assemblymember Landon Dais
contact form: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Landon-C-Dais/contact/
office number: 718-538-2000

Assemblymember Jordan Wright
email: ad70@nyassembly.gov
contact form: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Jordan-J.G-Wright/contact/
office number: 212-866-5809

Assemblymember Al Taylor
email: taylora@nyassembly.gov
contact form: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Al-Taylor/contact/
office number: 212-234-1430

Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs
email: gibbse@nyassembly.gov
contact form: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Edward-Gibbs/contact/
office number: 212-828-3953

Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson
email: andersonk@nyassembly.gov
contact form: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Khaleel-M-Anderson/contact/

Assemblymember Latrice Walker
email: WalkerL@nyassembly.gov
contact form: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Latrice-M-Walker/contact/
office number: 718-342-1256

Send messages and quick calls of thanks to:
Senator Liz Krueger
email: lkrueger@nysenate.gov
contact form: https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/liz-krueger/contact
office number: (212) 490-9535

Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal
contact form: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Linda-B-Rosenthal/contact/
office number: 212-873-6368