Yesterday, ‘ABC’ Revealed Widespread Cruelty In The Racing Industry. Today, People Want Change
Hundreds of "retired" racehorses are being killed every week.
Yesterday, ABC’s 7:30 Report dropped an explosive story about cruelty in the horse racing industry.
Content warning: this story involves details of animal abuse.
An “extensive” investigation found that racehorses are being sent to abattoirs across NSW and Queensland, to be used in both pet and human food. The practice is in clear defiance of both industry regulations and the story that many racing bodies tell to the general public. In that way, its exemplary of how the industry attempts to hide the reality of its exploitative and cruel practices.
Moreover, the story detailed extensive suffering inflicted by these “retired” horses. Horses at abattoirs across the country are ineffectively killed, beaten, abused, kicked, given electric shocks and caused undue pain.
“We’re talking about destroying animals on an industrial scale,” vet and scientist Paul McGreevy said.
The impact of the story was seen almost immediately, with concerned citizens around the country calling for greater regulation of the racing industry.
4,000 dead horses per annum? Immediately ban 2yr old racing.
Limit all breeding, reduce mass shareholders, trace all registered horses for 10yrs, no if’s or buts.
This is utterly fucking disgusting #abc730 #HorseRacing #wastage #auspol https://t.co/jFHpBsBzbz— Terry Australis (@AustralisTerry) October 17, 2019
The next time you here about how the Gambling Industry has the welfare of horses as a top priority, remember this:
They are lying. #730Report #horseracing https://t.co/JwJUP6yKvJ— David Hardie (@davidlhardie) October 17, 2019
Huge thanks & appreciation to @abc730 for actual journalism shining a desperately needed light on the horrow show that is #HorseRacing in Australia. We are supposedly a civilized nation but this expose shows we are anything but. Jail time for those at its sick core #NupToTheCup
— Claudette Greentree (@Clondelle) October 17, 2019
The outcry is even beginning to have ramifications in the world of politics. In particular, Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi has released a statement condemning the practices, and calling on the industry to immediately change its ways.
“The horrific abuse and suffering of horses once they have stopped making a profit shows the callousness of the industry that purports to look after them,” Faruqi has written on her Facebook page. “They should hang their heads in shame. I have long said that when animals and gambling mix, animals always suffer.”
Not that Scott Morrison’s Liberal government seem prepared to do very much. When pushed on the practices, Peter Dutton gave a cagey answer, deflecting from enforcing real change.
“It is a very difficult situation,” Dutton said, as reported by 7News.
Which, obviously, it isn’t. Animal cruelty needs to be stopped in its tracks, and any industry that thrives off it needs to be immediately regulated. That, or shut down.
Lead image credit: Needpix.