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Media Release Promoted

VHS report calls for end to horse racing at Vancouver racecourse

VANCOUVER, June 12, 2025 – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is doubling down on its call for an end to horse racing at Vancouver’s Hastings racecourse following the preventable death of a horse this past weekend. The horse, Gem Dancer, collapsed and died of suspected heat exhaustion after a June 8th race held during a heat warning. 

The same day the VHS learned of the horse’s senseless death, they submitted a report to Vancouver City Council advocating for an end to horse racing at Hastings Park in 2026, when the current Operating Agreement is set to expire. 

The recommendations in the VHS report, “Considerations for the Discontinuation of Horse Racing at Hastings Park”, depict the long-term decline of the industry—including reduced attendance, revenue, and race days—and its increasing reliance on public subsidies. The report describes persistent animal welfare issues and crumbling infrastructure, which have diminished public support. Given that the 45-acre racecourse provides minimal public benefit—averaging fewer than 9 visitors per acre per day—and conflicts with the City of Vancouver’s goals for public access, sustainability, and economic resilience, the VHS argues that dedicating such a large portion of the park to horse racing is no longer justifiable. 

The report also points to data indicating the sad reality that the racing-related fatality rate at Hastings Racecourse is markedly higher than the industry average. According to the B.C. Gaming & Policy Enforcement Branch, the 2024 fatality rate at Hastings was 1.78 per thousand starts, compared to the 2024 industry average of 1.11 across U.S. and Canadian tracks that report to the Equine Injury Database, and almost double the 0.90 fatality rate at tracks regulated by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA).  

The VHS is urging decision-makers to support a move away from horse racing at Hastings Park and toward alternative land use that offers potential for long-term economic resilience, greater public utilization of space, and alignment with public values and interest. 

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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society        

For more information, contact Emily Pickett: (604) 416-2901, emily@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca    

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Media Release Promoted

Horse Dies from Suspected Heat Exhaustion After Racing During Vancouver Heat Wave

VANCOUVER, June 11, 2025 – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is sounding the alarm following the recent suspected heat-exhausted death of a horse named Gem Dancer at Vancouver’s Hastings racecourse. 

B.C.’s Gaming & Policy Enforcement branch confirmed via email that on June 8, 2025, Gem Dancer began showing signs of distress while being led off the track following the race and soon collapsed. Despite efforts to cool the horse down, and after being in distress for approximately 2 minutes, Gem Dancer became unresponsive and was pronounced dead. 

“This horse was literally run to their own death for the sake of public entertainment,” said VHS Campaign Director, Emily Pickett. “It’s incredibly irresponsible to race horses in the midst of a heat warning. Gem Dancer’s senseless death demonstrates how horses in the racing industry are exploited for profit, pushed beyond their limit and raced to the point of injury and death.”  

Gem Dancer’s death marks the second known horse death at Hastings racecourse this year. On April 13th, just weeks before the start of the 2025 racing season, a 3-year old horse named Wynn Magic suffered a compound leg fracture during a timed workout and was subsequently euthanized.  

The VHS is deeply concerned that the 2025 race season will continue to see more tragic and avoidable injuries and deaths, pointing to the four horse fatalities at Hastings in 2024 and eight in 2023. 

The B.C. Gaming & Policy Enforcement Branch confirmed via email that the racing-related fatality rate at Hastings racecourse in 2024 was 1.78 per thousand starts. This is markedly higher than the 2024 industry average of 1.11 across U.S. and Canadian tracks that report to the Equine Injury Database, and almost double the 0.90 fatality rate at tracks regulated by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA). 

The VHS continues to highlight welfare concerns within the industry. The use of stressful and aversive training methods, reliance on painful tools like whips and bits, and breeding practices that prioritize speed over skeletal strength, have no place in modern society. Even if horses do not die from heat exhaustion or a being euthanized from a broken leg, horses deemed no longer profitable at the end of their short careers may be sent to auction and ultimately slaughtered. 

The organization is urging the public to pledge not to attend horse races and is reiterating calls for decision-makers to invest in alternative community events – ones that bring people together without putting animals at risk. 

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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society       

For more information, contact Emily Pickett: (604) 416-2901, emily@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca   

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Media Release Promoted

Hastings horse death just weeks before start of race season prompts renewed calls for change

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VANCOUVER, April 17, 2025 – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is reiterating concerns after learning that a 3-year-old horse was injured and euthanized during a recent timed workout at Vancouver’s Hastings Racecourse. 

On April 13, 2025, a horse named Wynn Magic suffered a compound fracture to the left front leg and was euthanized, B.C.’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB), which oversees horse racing in the province, confirmed to the VHS in an email.  

This death comes just weeks before the scheduled start of the 2025 horse racing season at Hastings and follows a controversial 2024 racing season, which resulted in four horse fatalities. In 2023, there were eight horse fatalities at Hastings. The VHS is concerned that the 2025 season will see more tragic and avoidable horse injuries and fatalities.  

“It’s not a matter of if, but when, the next horse will lose their life entertaining a crowd,” said VHS Executive Director, Amy Morris. “That’s why we’re urging the public to rethink attending horse races and calling on decision-makers to invest in alternative community events – ones that bring people together without putting animals at risk.” 

The organization has also raised concerns regarding welfare issues around horse racing, including stressful, aversive training methods, the use of painful tools like whips and bits, the breeding of thoroughbred horses for speed rather than skeletal strength, and the risk of being auctioned off for slaughter for horses who are no longer profitable at the end of their short careers. 

The VHS is encouraging the public to take the organization’s pledge not to attend horse races and instead choose entertainment events free of animal suffering.  

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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society      

For more information, contact Amy Morris: (604) 993-0167, amy@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca  

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Media Release

National animal protection election debate to take place on April 23rd

A close up photo of a horse with a bridle.

April 16, 2025. For immediate release.

TORONTO—For the second time in Canadian history, federal candidates will square off this Earth Week in a national all-party debate focused on animal protection issues. 

Animal protection emerged as an election issue for the first time in the 2021 federal election, with the main parties making campaign announcements and platform commitments. A 2024 Nanos poll found 43% of Canadians would be more likely to vote for a political party at the upcoming election if they support stronger animal protection laws and policies. 

Debate participants include:

  • Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Liberal candidate in Beaches—East York, Toronto, ON
  • Alistair MacGregor, NDP candidate in Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC
  • Elizabeth May, Green candidate in Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
  • Yves Perron, Bloc Québécois candidate in Berthier-Maskinongé, QC

Jointly hosted by Animal Justice, the Montreal SPCA, the Vancouver Humane Society, BC SPCA and World Animal Protection, the debate will be moderated by former journalist and co-founder of KAPOW Communications, Karman Wong. All parties with a seat in Parliament were invited to participate. The debate will take place in English and French and will be simultaneously translated.

The debate will cover animal protection legislation, zoos, wildlife trade, animal agriculture, plant-based foods, agricultural trade, antimicrobial resistance, animal testing and institutional reform.

Despite strong public concern over the wellbeing of animals, Canada is widely considered to have some of the worst animal protection laws in the western world. A number of animal welfare bills in the last Parliament sought to change this but died when the election was called (eg; Bill S-15 would have banned elephant and great ape captivity, Bill C-355 would have banned the export of live horses to slaughter and Bill C-293 would have addressed top animal-related pandemic drivers like live animal markets and the wildlife trade). 

The animal protection groups hosting the event say these and other animal issues must be part of the legislative agenda in the next Parliament, and this debate aims to give voters the information they need to make an informed decision about how federal parties will improve animal protection laws and policies.

Animal protection is inextricably linked with other major election issues— when you consider the number of animals traded across our national borders, the shift to buying more local food and the urgent need to mitigate climate change and pandemic risk. Animal agriculture is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, and more than 14.5 million farmed birds have been culled in Canada due to avian flu. 

Members of the public are invited to register to watch the debate at www.animalelectiondebate.ca. 

Media are invited to participate and submit questions and are asked to RSVP to Pierre Sadik at psadik@animaljustice.ca   

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For media requests contact:

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Media Release

Port Moody City Council votes to prohibit mobile live animal programs in Port Moody

January 23, 2025. For immediate release.

The BC SPCA and the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) are celebrating Port Moody City Council’s decision to prohibit mobile live animal programs, also known as mobile petting zoos, in Port Moody. In addition to farm animals, mobile live animal programs may include exotic animals like reptiles and amphibians. This move reflects growing public awareness and concern for the well-being of animals used for entertainment. 

Port Moody Councillor Kyla Knowles introduced the motion in 2023 out of concern for the treatment and handling of animals brought into the community and put on display for people’s entertainment. “The City of Port Moody and its Council extends respect and care to all residents, including animals,” says Knowles.  “We believe in gently co-existing with our wild neighbours and ensuring our actions don’t harm them.  We lead by example, and banning mobile petting zoos is an easy, low-barrier step to show our commitment to animal welfare in Port Moody.” 

The BC SPCA and VHS, along with a number of caring Port Moody residents, expressed concerns about the welfare of animals at mobile petting zoos through letters and presentations to Council. 

“The BC SPCA is thrilled to see local governments like the City of Port Moody make progressive policy decisions to enhance animal welfare in their communities,” says Nadia Xenakis, the BC SPCA’s wild animal welfare specialist. “Making our province a safer, more caring place for animals and people requires change at all levels of government and Port Moody has demonstrated that they are a leader in this regard. We encourage other local governments, and the provincial government, to make similar changes to their policies and regulations.” 

“We are very grateful to Port Moody’s Council for once again leading the charge in protecting animal welfare,” says Emily Pickett, VHS campaign director. “The residents of Port Moody have demonstrated that they care deeply about animals, and this vote shows that decision-makers are listening to their concerns.” 

This is not the first time Port Moody has taken a stand for animal welfare. In 2023, the Council unanimously voted to ban rodeos after receiving strong support from residents.   

While petting zoos are often marketed as a fun and educational experience, particularly for families and children, research indicates there is little positive educational value. Mobile petting zoos also present numerous animal welfare and public health and safety concerns: 

  • Even healthy-looking animals can transmit pathogens (including E. coli, Salmonella and Avian flu) to people and other animals, and stressed animals are more likely to shed pathogens. Young children are most at risk of infection as they’re the least likely to remember to wash their hands after touching animals and have an increased risk of serious illness because their immune systems aren’t fully developed, 
  • Animals in petting zoos are typically subjected to noisy crowds of people in unfamiliar spaces and have little or no opportunity to hide or rest. They are often handled roughly or improperly by members of the public or even untrained staff and volunteers,
  • Baby animals are particularly popular at petting zoos. The demand for a steady supply of baby animals can result in poor breeding practices, the separation of young from their mothers, and an overabundance of species with low adoption and high abandonment rates, 
  • Transporting animals to and from mobile petting zoos and regularly introducing them to unfamiliar places and situations increases their stress and the risk of injury and distress, 
  • Stressed animals are also more likely to bite, scratch, kick or exhibit defensive behaviours,
  • There are no minimum standards or accreditation for petting zoos in British Columbia, and it is difficult for City staff to determine if the animals are being treated properly when they are not on display to the public. 

For more information on the BC SPCA’s advocacy work, please visit spca.bc.ca/ways-to-help/take-action.

For more information on the VHS’s advocacy work, please visit vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/our-work/

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For more information:

Nadia Xenakis, the BC SPCA’s wild animal specialist, media@spca.bc.ca

Emily Pickett, the Vancouver Humane Society’s campaign director, emily@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca

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Media Release

Eight year old giraffe, Jenga, dies at Greater Vancouver Zoo

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VANCOUVER, October 24, 2024 – The tragic life and death of Jenga the giraffe is the latest in a series of animal welfare issues at the Great Vancouver Zoo. Jenga, aged 8, died suddenly and unexpectedly at the zoo this week. Jenga was born in captivity in Ontario and then shipped to British Columbia. Jenga lived their entire life in a small, cold, enclosure, nothing like the natural habitat of their wild counterparts. Giraffes live up to 25 years in the wild.

“We’re saddened to learn of the death of another animal at the Greater Vancouver Zoo. Jenga the giraffe was only 8 years old, which is a fraction of the lifespan for giraffes in the wild,” said Campaign Director, Emily Pickett. “The Vancouver Humane Society has been calling on the zoo for many years to address long-standing animal welfare issues and to move away from keeping animals in permanent captivity.” 

High-profile incidents resulting in heightened public scrutiny of the zoo 

The Greater Vancouver Zoo has been aware of many animal welfare issues in their facility for years. The most recent report on conditions at the zoo, commissioned by the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) and prepared by Zoocheck, raised alarms about a number of concerns. Unfortunately, the same issues raised in the report persist year after year, causing continued suffering to the many animals who are kept in captivity at the zoo. 

In 2022, animal lovers in B.C. mourned the loss of Chia, a wolf who escaped from her enclosure at the Greater Vancouver Zoo. Chia was tragically found dead on the side of the road. 

In 2022, the VHS filed a cruelty complaint with the BC SPCA after obtaining video footage of animals engaging in repetitive behaviours and in small, barren enclosures. 

In 2021, a zoo employee was bitten when a jaguar climbed up a feeding chute. Rather than addressing the behavioural needs of this natural hunter and climber, the zoo welded bars to the bottom of the chute. 

In 2020, the public raised concerns about an emaciated moose named Oakleaf, prompting an investigation by the BC SPCA. Oakleaf was then euthanized. 

In 2019, a 2-year-old child was bitten by a black bear after being able to enter an “unauthorized area.” The toddler had to be airlifted to hospital. 

Ongoing welfare issues 

This week’s tragic death is the latest in a pattern of concerning incidents at the Greater Vancouver Zoo. But the series of high-profile cases that make it into the news are just the tip of the iceberg when compared with the monotonous, day-to-day suffering of the wild species confined to enclosures thousands of times smaller than their natural habitats. 

If the Greater Vancouver Zoo refuses to make significant changes for the well-being of the animals they keep, a change must be made for them. That’s why the VHS is imploring provincial decision-makers to immediately address the outdated regulations around keeping, breeding, and transport of wild and exotic animals. Concerned citizens can sign the petition in support of these recommendations.

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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/captivity-petition/

Sign the petition
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Media Release

Hastings Racecourse season bookended by animal fatalities as another 2-year-old horse euthanized 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VANCOUVER, October 22, 2024 – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is calling on Vancouverites to choose animal-free entertainment after another horse died at Hastings Racecourse.  

During a race on October 12th, a 2-year-old horse named Anstruther suffered a compound fracture to her right hind leg and was euthanized, B.C.’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) confirmed to the VHS in an email. 

“It’s hard to imagine the fear and suffering horses endure when their fragile leg bones break at such high speeds,” said VHS Communication Director Chantelle Archambault. 

This death occurred in the last weekend of the racing season, marking the fourth fatality at the racecourse this year. The first fatal incident occurred less than one month after the racing season began, meaning this year’s racing season at Hastings was bookended by horse deaths. Eight horses also died in each of the last two years at Hastings. 

“We are a city of animal lovers. To host an event where animals are regularly dying does not reflect our values as a community,” Archambault continued. She implored people to think twice before attending a race. “If you’re attending these events, there is always a chance that you could witness some of a horse’s final moments alive.” 

More than 3,600 people have taken the VHS’s pledge not to attend horse races. The organization is encouraging people to take the pledge and choose entertainment events free of animal suffering. 

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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society     

For more information, contact Chantelle Archambault: 604-416-2903, chantelle@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca 

Or contact Emily Pickett: 604-416-2903, emily@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca 

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Media Release

B.C. rodeo season saw recurring issues, cruelty complaints, and growing public concern 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VANCOUVER, September 12, 2024 – This year’s controversial rodeo season in B.C. has left the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) and thousands of advocates calling for urgent action from the provincial government. New footage released by the VHS today from two provincially-funded rodeos continues to show recurring welfare issues. 

Footage released today includes incidents from the Interior Provincial Exhibition & Stampede in Armstrong, which received $140,800 in taxpayer dollars through the Ministry of Tourism’s Fairs, Festivals and Events Fund, and the Nicola Valley Professional Rodeo in Merritt, which received $11,100 from the same grant program.  

The welfare concerns seen in these rodeos echo incidents at other rodeos across the province this year. 

In video clips from both Armstrong and Merritt, calves are seen being dragged across the arena by a rope tied around their necks. The footage is reminiscent of an incident in which a roped steer was dragged around the arena by a horse at a rodeo in Keremeos this past May. 

Like the other events the VHS monitored this season, the newly released footage from Armstrong and Merritt also shows animals being pushed, dragged, smacked in the face, kicked, and roughly agitated through ear pulling and tail twisting. Previously, the VHS filed cruelty complaints to the BC SPCA regarding multiple incidents this year, including the inhumane use of electric prods at two rodeos. 

“We continue to see people in B.C.’s rodeo industry use harsh handling and push the boundaries of how much suffering they can cause before they are considered in violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,” said Emily Pickett, the VHS’s Campaign Director. “There is no proactive monitoring of rodeos by enforcement bodies in this province, so it is very likely the people running these shows don’t believe they’ll be caught when they break the rules.” 

Pickett notes that while the B.C. government provided more than $680,000 in taxpayer funding to events that involve rodeos this year, it does not fund enforcement of its own cruelty laws at the same events. 

“British Columbians should be asking the provincial government why it continues to hand over their tax dollars to support animal suffering,” Pickett added. 

July 2024 polling shows that 83% of British Columbians are against the government funding of rodeo events, rising 17 percentage points from a previous poll in February. 

The VHS encourages anyone who is concerned about the suffering of animals in rodeo events to send a quick, pre-written message to the B.C. government through their website. 

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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/ongoing-welfare-issues-cruelty-complaints-and-rising-public-opposition-mark-2024-b-c-rodeo-season/

https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/Factum_VHS_13Aug2024.pdf

Related media:

Armstrong rodeo footage – https://youtu.be/_4VfjZ2bzlI 

Merritt rodeo footage – https://youtu.be/JTy7n_oYXJw 

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Media Release

Two incidents in one day at Hastings Racecourse; horse euthanized 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VANCOUVER, September 11, 2024 – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is once again speaking out after two incidents within a single day at Hastings Racecourse left one horse dead and another injured.

The incidents come less than one month after another horse death at Hastings. 

During the sixth race on September 6th, a 4-year-old horse named Lucky Cowboy suffered a compound fracture in his left front leg and was euthanized. The video replay has since been removed from the venue’s website, a measure that has never been taken before, according to the VHS’s anonymous source. 

Earlier that night, after the end of the fifth race, another 4-year-old horse named Be Sparky was pulled up lame by the jockey. He was removed from the racetrack by trailer and transported to the trainer’s barn for further evaluation of the injury, where he remains.

B.C.’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB), which oversees horse racing in the province, has confirmed that this marks the third death of the racing season at Hastings. Previous incidents at Hastings Racecourse resulted in the deaths of Lizzie’s Rayne in May and Kiki’s Song of Life in August. Last year, eleven horses died at B.C.’s two racecourses – eight at Hastings and three at Fraser Downs.    

“This is not an isolated incident; it’s a pattern of suffering. Horses like Lucky Cowboy and Be Sparky are paying the ultimate price for human entertainment, and we cannot stand by while horses continue to die,” said VHS’s Campaign Director, Emily Pickett. 

This is the second year in a row that a cluster of horse deaths has occurred. Last year, four horses died in the span of three weeks between July 16 and August 7 at Hastings Racecourse. 

The VHS asks those concerned about horses’ well-being to join more than 2,000 people who have taken the pledge not to attend horse races. 

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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society     

For more information, contact Emily Pickett: 604-416-2903, emily@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca 

Related links:  

Another horse fatality at Hastings Racecourse
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Media Release

Another rodeo appears to violate electric prod rules; Vancouver Humane Society files cruelty complaint 

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VANCOUVER, September 3, 2024 – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has filed a cruelty complaint with the BC SPCA after footage from We Animals Media revealed inhumane electric prod use and other serious welfare concerns at a recent rodeo in Coombs on Vancouver Island. 

The footage was taken by animal photojournalist Jordan Rivers at the Bulls, Broncs & Barrels event between August 17th and 18th at the Coombs Rodeo Grounds. 

One video shows a horse named Ridge Runner crashing into the back fence of a bucking chute during a saddle bronc event. The stressed animal is heard vocalizing as he falls to the ground and remains down for more than two minutes. Handlers drag the horse by a rope tied to his front legs and a tarp is used to prevent the public from seeing what is happening. Behind the tarp, the horse thrashes on the ground to get up, but with his front legs tied he is unable to. A handler is seen kicking the horse in the head twice. Eventually, the horse is able to get up, but appears unsteady before leaving the arena. 

Another clip shows the repeated use of an electric prod on a stressed bull, including while his leg is caught between the bars of a fence and when he is already moving in the desired direction. Canadian regulations around electric prods state that “repeated prodding of the same animal is not acceptable under any circumstances,” and forbid the use of electric prods on animals that cannot move due to physical barriers or “on an animal already in motion to speed it up”. 

Rivers noted, “The visible resistance and nervousness exhibited by so many animals that weekend underscores their reluctance as unwilling participants. Force seemed to be the only means used to ensure their compliance.” 

“Right now, the B.C. government funds many rodeo events through the Ministry of Tourism’s Fairs, Festivals and Events Fund, but it doesn’t fund enforcement of animal welfare regulations at rodeo events,” said VHS Campaign Director Emily Pickett. “That means it’s up to individual advocates like Jordan and organizations like We Animals Media and the VHS to monitor and report when there are violations.” 

This is the second time the VHS has identified electric prod use that appears to violate regulations out of five rodeos monitored to date this rodeo season. These rodeo events have raised concerns about animal welfare involving consistently visible signs of stress and deliberate agitation of animals. Pickett points out that without proactive enforcement funded by the government, many incidents are likely going unaddressed. 

According to recent polling from Research Co., a growing majority of British Columbians are opposed to the use of animals in rodeo events – 66% are opposed to bronc riding and bull riding, 75% opposed to steer wrestling, and 77% opposed to calf roping. 83% are opposed to the government funding of rodeo events.  

Pickett said, “People in our province care deeply about animals and do not want their tax dollars paying for animals to be harmed.” 

In addition to filing a cruelty complaint, the VHS is calling on the B.C. government to do more to protect animals from suffering in rodeo events. Anyone who wishes to join the call for action can send a quick, pre-written message to the provincial government through the VHS website. 

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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society      

For more information, contact Emily Pickett: 604-416-2903, emily@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca 

For comments from We Animals Media, contact media@weanimals.org  

Related links:

https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/posts/b-c-rodeo-footage-prompts-cruelty-complaint-while-government-continues-funding-take-action

https://vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/Factum_VHS_13Aug2024.pdf  

Related media: https://youtu.be/ODnlzR9k8B4 (Horse kicked in head at 03:30-03:37) 

Original footage from We Animals Media: