VANCOUVER, August 22, 2024 – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is speaking out after another horse was euthanized at Hastings Racecourse earlier this month.
On August 9th, a 2-year-old horse named Kiki’s Song of Life sustained a compound fracture in his left front leg during a timed workout and was subsequently euthanized, BC’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) confirmed.
This is the second known death of B.C.’s racing season this year, after 3-year-old Lizzie’s Rayne lost her life in May. Last year, eleven horses died at B.C.’s two racecourses – eight at Hastings and three at Fraser Downs.
“We are very saddened to hear of another horse death in B.C.’s racing industry,” said VHS’s Campaign Director, Emily Pickett. “We know that horses are sentient, intelligent animals who have thoughts and feelings and who experience stress, fear, and pain in this industry.”
Horse well-being has been making headlines worldwide. It was recently announced that show jumping will be removed from the modern pentathlon at the next Olympics, and polling from last month shows a significant increase in opposition to chuckwagon racing across Canada. Meanwhile, a recent study has found that horses plan ahead and think strategically, leading researchers to note that aversive training methods are not necessary in horse training.
“With horse welfare being increasingly highlighted in the media, it’s clear that more people are realizing animals are not here for our entertainment.”
The VHS continues to call on the public not to attend horse racing events. To date, more than 2,000 people have taken the pledge not to attend horse races due to the welfare issues associated with training and the risk of serious injury and death.
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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society
For more information, contact Emily Pickett: 604-416-2903, emily@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca
Related links: https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/posts/another-horse-fatality-at-hastings-racecourse/