An amendment to this year’s federal “farm bill” would end dogracing in all of America (currently, it only exists at two hellholes in West Virginia). The legislation is actually far more comprehensive, as it would not only ban racing here but also gambling by Americans on foreign races and prohibit the export of our dogs for racing elsewhere. While other parts of the bill would roll back previous animal-welfare advancements, this provision, of course, would be a monumental win for dogs. Still, I couldn’t help but be struck by this quote from the amendment’s sponsor, Rep. Salud Carbajal:
“Greyhound racing is a relic of a bygone era in the United States, an outdated practice that no longer reflects our values or standards for animal welfare. These poor dogs are often kept in stacked metal cages for up to 23 hours a day, and when released to race, they face a high risk of serious injuries such as paralysis, spinal injuries, broken limbs and even crushed skulls. These animals are treated not as the loyal, gentle companions they are, but as interchangeable racing units.”
You can probably guess where I’m going with this. If we change the animal and the mode of confinement, the message remains wholly accurate:
“Horseracing is a relic of a bygone era in the United States, an outdated practice that no longer reflects our values or standards for animal welfare. These poor horses are often kept in tiny stalls for up to 23 hours a day, and when released to race, they face a high risk of serious injuries such as paralysis, spinal injuries, broken limbs and even crushed skulls. These animals are treated not as the loyal, gentle companions they are, but as interchangeable racing units.”
If anything, folks, horseracing is actually worse for slaughter. We’ll get there…
Fred and Joan, in case this helps, you could possibly arrange to pick him up in California because they transport along I-40.
Wanda, this is sad. He is a indeed a beautiful horse who should be just entering his prime of life. We`re anti slaughter & have been for almost 50 years once we realized what happens to so many horses. We`re also a plant based eater due to cardio health problems inherited in our family genetics. Eating a plant based diet enables us not to have to take any med.s at older stage of life. If we lived closer I know of a friend who would gladly have us pick him up for him. We live a very long away from Texas.
There is a Quarter Horse stallion named JESS MR CHICKS foaled in 2010 available for purchase at O’Dwyer Horses in Bowie, Texas. His race record is on Equibase. He is a beautiful horse. He certainly does not deserve to be shipped to a slaughter house. There are some young Thoroughbreds listed also.