Through a FOIA request to the Arizona Dept. of Gaming, I have confirmed the following kills at Turf Paradise thus far this year. (Turf is the only currently running track in Arizona. Because of the amount of detail, I am posting in installments – previous here.)
Mt. Zeror, Jan 7, Turf T
“Was on track when another horse [Raging Pulpit, who was also killed] collided with him. Horse galloped 100 yards or so and then collapsed. Horse was agonal upon arrival, acute death.” The relevant destruction: “Multiple traumatic rib fractures, with compound fractures involving ribs 4-18. Two fractures are open into the subcutis, and several segments penetrate the thoracic cavity. Multiple ribs have lacerated the lungs, leading to severe pulmonary hemorrhage.” Also: “four jagged lacerations extend through liver; right kidney traumatically punctured; traumatic perforation at the ileocecocolic junction.” They conclude: “Widespread hemorrhage throughout the body contributed to marked blood loss and hypovolemic shock.” Can you imagine that scene – how it looked, what it sounded like. Those poor, poor boys. Zeror was five.
Coastal Fog, Mar 25, Turf S
“Horse was presented on Mar 23 for a five-day history of low-grade fever and limb swelling that was non-responsive to treatment. Horse became acutely lame on Mar 24. Radiographs found rotational changes and horse was humanely euthanized.” Coastal Fog was five and had last been raced Feb 8.
If You Want It, Apr 16, Turf R
“This horse ran in a one-mile race. After the race, horse was returning to the paddock when it collapsed. Examination found pale gums; horse was agonal and died. Arrhythmia leading to acute death is favored as the cause of mortality.” If You Want It was ten – ten – and this was her 62nd time under the whip.
West Side Okie, Apr 19, Turf S
“Around Mar 27, horse developed signs of respiratory illness. Despite treatment, condition progressed to pneumonia. Horse’s condition deteriorated further when it developed severe enterocolitis and it was humanely euthanized.” There was also “evidence of septic spread to the lungs.” And: “On Mar 5, horse was scratched for RF lameness [and] was given an intraarticular injection.” Okie was three. Poor girl.
The racing industry is allowed to “police” itself supposedly because they classify horses as personal property or chattel. There is more but it is still completely cruel and inhumane to exploit horses and just lie to everyone about how the horses are treated so well. Right, like Max Miller abusing his wife and daughter is nothing. Abusing horses is part of the inherently cruel routine of this industry that supposedly “generates” billions of dollars of tax revenue. It’s disgusting and immoral.
Horseracing is clearly animal cruelty. It should be prosecuted as such and people held accountable. I’ll never understand why animal cruelty laws don’t seem to apply to horseracing.
As gruesome as the injuries to the horses were, you would think that the horrendous tragedy of horses colliding with one another would turn many people off to horseracing; but then on the other hand there are those people who salivate at watching animals such as chickens, especially roosters, and dogs fight to the death.
Horseracing is evil. Exploitation of animals for gambling is evil.