Among the several (harness) whipping violations last week, these (emphases mine):
Cumberland, Jun 14: “Driver James Doucette was in violation of using his whip on a horse [Monaco Hanover] that was not visibly responding when the horse was not in contention during the race [and] using the whip without giving the horse time to respond to a previous application of the whip.” But that wasn’t all: “Further evidence presented visible marks found by the state veterinarian.”
The upshot: “These infractions are not consistent with the rules and regulations of the MSHRC and its philosophy in the area of the use of the whip. Therefore, Mr. Doucette has been fined $1,000 and suspended from driving for 30 days.” “Not consistent with its philosophy in the area of the use of the whip”? You can’t make this stuff up.
Scioto, Jun 18: “Nicholas Turley admitted to causing welts on Mooter Tooter while warming up the horse. Mr. Turley is fined $1,000, [but] the penalty will be reduced to $750 if not appealed.”
He beat his horse so hard he left welts – before the race.
Plainridge, Jun 19: “Driver Mitchell Cushing did leave welts on the horse Cbf Windy Fella. Cushing is hereby fined $300.” No suspension. This scumbag has made our site several times, including for welting two different horses at this same track just four days apart.
For some context on the above, another driver was fined $750 for “leaving the paddock early.” Cushing (below) welts his horse (again) and is fined less than half of that. But forget suspensions and fines, he should have been arrested. The relevant Massachusetts statute: “Whoever overdrives…overworks, tortures, torments…cruelly beats…an animal…shall be punished by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 2 1/2 years or by a fine of not more than $5,000 or by both fine and imprisonment.”
Offenders should be punished by law, which should mean that they are banned from being anywhere near a horse. They should be sentenced to time in jail for Animal Cruelty.
The racing commissioners should be subject to being penalized with fines, court costs, and jail time for not protecting horses from some of the most obvious abuses of the horses by their owners, trainers, drivers.
The welfare of the horses should be of a much higher priority! Unfortunately, in the real world, it is the money that is the highest priority: 1) Welt the horses, 2) Pay the fines, & 3) Repeat. This appears to be the circle of ‘life’ in this industry of torturing horses.
It is time for the racing stewards and commissioners to have to answer for their misdeeds and malfeasance. Stop treating them like they are “gods” and dethrone the commissioners who perpetuate the cycle of horses being welted.