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VHS speaks out on preventable horse death, submits report calling to end racing at Hastings

Screenshot: Hastings Racecourse

  • On Wednesday, June 11, the Vancouver Humane Society learned of the tragic and senseless death of a horse named Gem Dancer, who collapsed and died after a race held during this past weekend’s heat warning.
  • That same day, VHS submitted a report to Vancouver City Council calling for an end to horse racing at Hastings Park when the current Operating Agreement expires in 2026.
  • The report highlights animal welfare concerns and demonstrates that the racecourse conflicts with the City of Vancouver’s goals for public access, sustainability, and economic resilience.

Read media coverage on this devastating incident below, comment on the news articles sharing your support for an end to horse racing at Hastings, and add your voice to the VHS’s call to end this risky and outdated use of animals in our city.

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CTV News

Calls to abolish horse racing in East Vancouver after latest animal death

There are calls to abolish horse racing in East Vancouver following another death at the Hastings Racecourse.

“There are calls to abolish horse racing in East Vancouver following another death at the Hastings Racecourse.”

“The racehorse Gem Dancer collapsed and died following an event on Sunday, during a period of elevated temperatures that Environment and Climate Change Canada called an ‘early season heat event.'”

“In a news release, the Vancouver Humane Society suggested the horse died due to heat exhaustion, and called the incident ‘preventable.’ The charitable organization also submitted a report to city council the following day asking officials to end horse racing at the facility when its operating agreement expires next year.”

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Daily Hive

Horse dies during heat event at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver | News

The Vancouver Humane Society is raising the alarm after a horse died at the Hastings Racecourse during a heat event.

“The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is sharing information about a death that occurred at the Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver within the last week.”

“VHS confirmed the details in an email from B.C.’s Gaming and Policy Enforcement branch. Emily Pickett, the VHS campaign director, had some strong words in the aftermath of the death.”

“‘This horse was literally run to their own death for the sake of public entertainment,’ she said.”

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Sign the pledge to not attend horse races and the VHS will update Vancouver City Council regarding the number of pledge signatures.

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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. 

 – ends –         

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. 

 – ends –        

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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Senator Plett incorrect about horse exports: Animal Justice

Horses in a crate waiting to be shipped for slaughter
Photo: Canadian Horse Defence Coalition

Photo: Canadian Horse Defence Coalition

In late March, The Hill Times published an opinion piece by Senator Don Plett, an appointed leader who has vocally defended Canada’s controversial live horse export industry and delayed the passing of life-saving Bill C-355. The piece defended the shipping of live horses from Canada on long journeys overseas for slaughter.

Senator Plett denounced animal advocates who are standing up for horses while making many misleading claims, ignoring recent exposes that revealed the underreporting of horse deaths in transit and the prevalence of journeys that exceed the legal time limit.

Earlier this week, The Hill Times published a second opinion piece by Kaitlyn Mitchell of Animal Justice setting the record straight.

Senator Plett incorrect about horse exports: Animal Justice

Senator Plett incorrect about horse exports: Animal Justice

Canada’s Politics and Government News Source Since 1989

Mitchell calls Senator Plett’s defence of the live horse export for slaughter industry “a bold move, given that the industry is seen as a national embarrassment to most, with nearly 80 per cent of Canadians of all political stripes supporting its timely end.”

The piece outlines several of Senator Plett’s misleading claims, including:

  • The claim that horses exported for slaughter have “ample room”. “This despite countless images captured at Canadian airports showing these horses crammed together in wooden crates as well as evidence given by the horse racing industry and others at parliamentary committee hearings on this issue last year.”
  • The claim that “qualified” attendants are present on flights. While sport horses often travel with multiple staff, Mitchell notes that “a single attendant on a flight of 100 or more horses packed into a cargo hold can do little to assist horses who may fall or become injured or stressed during transport.” Records show that these attendants routinely miss animal injuries, including a January 2024 incident involving four collapsed horses, one of whom was already dead and two of whom died after landing.
  • The claim that “virtually no deaths of horses during transport have been ‘reported to the CFIA'”. Mitchell outlines the underreporting of horse deaths: “Government of Japan data from June 2023-June 2024 alone shows that although no deaths or injuries were reported to the CFIA during this time, at least 22 horses died during or shortly after transport and more than 60 others suffered serious injuries and illness.”
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Changes needed to stop “unprecedented” bird flu spread

A close up photo of a chicken

“The ongoing spread of the highly pathogenic bird flu worldwide is reaching an “unprecedented” scale, a United Nations agency warned” earlier this month. The disease spreads easily on crowded poultry farms, which has led to 600 million farmed birds being killed.

Bird flu’s current spread is ‘unprecedented,’ UN agency warns

Bird flu’s current spread is ‘unprecedented,’ UN agency warns – National | Globalnews.ca

The ongoing spread of highly pathogenic bird flu worldwide is reaching an unprecedented scale, a United Nations agency warned Monday.

“Speaking at a conference in Rome, key members of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) met to discuss the global outbreak of avian influenza.”

“Once limited to a few continents, avian flu has spread across all five continents since 2021, affecting more than 528 species, the FAO warned.”

“The virus is now present in 124 countries, causing the deaths of 47 million wild birds, while more than 600 million domestic birds have been culled (killed)”.

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To address bird flu, reform chicken farming

An opinion piece by Eleanor Boyle, published in the Tyee earlier this year, suggests that scaling down the farming of birds for food will be necessary to control the spread of avian flu. Boyle notes that British Columbia, a hot spot for bird flu, is a great place to start shifting the food system.

“Though B.C. turns out less than 15 per cent of Canada’s chicken and eggs, the province accounts for more than 50 per cent of the nation’s recent avian flu-related bird kills and 81 per cent of the country’s now-infected barns.”

The high density of birds packed into barns and the close proximity of farm buildings are risk factors, the article notes. Research shows the disease spreads (and mutates) among crowded animals.

Although wild birds shed pathogens as they fly overhead, “historically, wild-bird pathogens were innocuous. Commercial poultry settings are where low-pathogenic strains tend to become high-pathogenic.”

“Compassion in World Farming says there’s such strong evidence that the poultry industry fuels avian flu that ‘only major farm reforms can end it.'”

Taking decisive action to shift toward more plant-based foods will mean less zoonotic disease risk and a brighter future for animal well-being and public health.

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Beef industry blocked climate action for decades, report reveals

According to two papers recently published in the journals Environmental Research Letters and Climate Policy, the US beef industry knew of its role in climate change decades ago and “worked to obstruct efforts to encourage meat reduction for the sake of climate change”.

Media coverage

Beef industry put profits over planet

The new reports find that:

  • A beef industry document from 1989 laid out plans to influence public opinion and legislation in response to climate concerns.
  • The plan appears to be a blueprint for the industry’s actions to obstruct efforts that would reduce meat/beef consumption for the sake of climate protection.
  • Industry groups organized generously funded advertising campaigns to counter the messaging of environmental advocates.
  • The industry lobbied against sustainable diet change efforts including Meatless Mondays, official dietary guidelines, and the landmark EAT-Lancet report.

“The low-tech and immediately available option of halving US beef and veal consumption, resulting in a savings of 125–410 megatonnes (Mt) CO2eq per year over the 32 year period, could have been 24–80 times more effective in reducing GHG emissions in a single year than what was achieved cumulatively by reducing methane emissions (mainly in the oil and gas industries) over a similar timespan (1990–2022).” (Jennifer Jacquet et al 2025 Environ. Res. Lett. 20 031006)

According to reports, the beef industry’s lobbying and marketing efforts have silenced advocates, maintained a high public demand for meat, and slowed the development of sustainable food policies for decades; all while knowing the climate impacts of the industry.

Vox

A newly surfaced document reveals the beef industry’s secret climate plan

What the beef industry knew about its environmental impact – and how it spent decades blocking climate action.

In February 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency held a workshop on how to reduce climate emissions. A representative from the nation’s largest and oldest beef industry group — the National Cattlemen’s Association (NCA) — attended the workshop. Soon after, the organization developed a report to keep beef on family tables despite the growing knowledge around its climate impacts.

“The Cattlemen’s plan — an internal 17-page memo titled “Strategic Plan on the Environment” — went unnoticed for decades until two University of Miami researchers, Jennifer Jacquet and Loredana Loy, recently unearthed the document in the NCA’s archives.”

“Notably, the beef industry plan had barely a mention about addressing cattle pollution. Instead, it centered around how the public and policymakers would perceive that pollution.”

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After banning mobile petting zoos, Port Moody calls for B.C. regulations

Close up of an adult's hand holding a baby turkey while children pet the animal.

Following Port Moody City Council’s vote to ban mobile live animal programs last month, Councillor Kyla Knowles is asking for the province to introduce stronger regulations to protect animals.

Media coverage

Why ban mobile petting zoos?

Mobile petting zoos pose many animal welfare concerns:

  • Transportation to different locations can be an inherently stressful process for many species.
  • The animals used in these zoos are typically transported and kept in undersized cages or units that may also lack other elements they need to engage in important natural behaviours, like appropriate substrate and enrichment items.
  • Animals can develop chronic stress and health issues as a result of disrupted eating, sleeping, and drinking patterns, and from being exposed to unfamiliar sights, sounds, smells and human handling and interactions. 

Port Moody City Council voted to ban mobile live animal programs, such as mobile petting zoos, on January 21st following a presentation by the BC SPCA and statements from the Vancouver Humane Society and several Port Moody residents.

Council Kyla Knowles, who championed last month’s motion, has introduced a new motion to ask for stronger protections across the province.

Tri-Cities Dispatch

Following recent move to ban mobile pettings zoos, Port Moody pushes province for stricter rules – Tri-Cities Dispatch

Florida Fish and Wildlife flickr image / Lisa Thompson photo Port Moody council is now urging the province to step in with stricter regulations on Fresh off of approving a municipal ban of mobile petting zoos, Port Moody council is now urging the province to step in with stricter regulations on related practices.

“On Feb. 25, Coun. Kyla Knowles, who spearheaded the city’s move towards banning mobile petting zoos, introduced an advocacy motion to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) calling on the province to strengthen the rules around mobile live-animal programs. “

“‘Whenever animals are on display or made to perform for recreation, sport or entertainment, they face risks to their physical and psychological well-being,’ Knowles’ motion stated. ‘Meeting an animal’s welfare needs during (the programs) is very difficult, if not impossible, particularly if operators are not trained to recognize and alleviate animal distress or suffering.'”

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Tri-City News

Port Moody councillor seeks provincial regulation of mobile live animal displays like petting zoos

Port Moody council tasked staff in January to create a corporate policy banning mobile live animal programs from operating anywhere in the city.

“Coun. Kyla Knowles said animals on display or made to perform face risks to their physical and psychological well-being.”

“She’s calling upon her fellow councillors to support a resolution to the Union of BC Municipalities calling for provincial regulations as well as updates to current regulations that will give animal welfare equal priority to public safety, along with a prohibition on the import, keeping, breeding and transport of exotic species.”

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Johnston’s Meats ordered to take “corrective actions” following shocking slaughterhouse footage

A pig at Johnston's Meats slaughterhouse in Chilliwack

The B.C. Ministry of Agriculture has sanctioned Johnston’s Meats, a pig slaughterhouse in Chilliwack, following an animal welfare investigation.

B.C. orders changes at slaughterhouse following animal welfare investigation

Animal welfare group calls for more oversight after province sanctions B.C. slaughterhouse.

The investigation was launched after Animal Justice released shocking video footage revealing horrific animal suffering and apparent violations of slaughter regulations, allegedly filmed by a whistleblower at Johnston’s Meats.

The disturbing footage shows frightened and panicked pigs being inhumanely handled, including:

  • Animals being improperly stunned before having their throats cut, being hung upside down to bleed out while conscious, and then placed into a scalding tank of boiling water.
  • Multiple animals appear to show signs of consciousness after being electrocuted, which is required to render them fully unconscious for the rest of the slaughter process.
  • In some clips, workers are seen slitting still-conscious pigs’ throats and electrocuting them multiple times.

Following the video release and a legal complaint filed by Animal Justice, the Ministry of Agriculture issued a prohibition notice to the slaughterhouse regarding its use of electric prods and handling of animals, along with a warning letter citing humane treatment violations under B.C.’s Meat Inspection Regulation.

The ministry ordered “corrective actions”, including improved training, and said inspectors would be “increasing oversight”.

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Protect farmed animals

Incident renews calls for transparency

Though provincial inspectors are required to be present at slaughterhouses every day of the slaughtering process, inspectors at Johnston’s Meats claimed they never witnessed abuse. No action was taken until Animal Justice filed a complaint, which the organization says “represents a failure to catch bad practices”.

This incident is renewing calls for public transparency, consistent oversight, and proactive enforcement of animal welfare regulations, highlighting that animal suffering may continue until a report is made.

Can you take the quick action below to tell the B.C. government that urgent changes are needed to protect farmed animals from suffering?

Learn more

Read more about:

  • The undercover video footage
  • Near-annual undercover investigations over the past decade which have revealed recurring welfare problems in B.C.’s animal agriculture industry
  • The truth behind “proudly local” meat

Note: There is no graphic footage or imagery at this link.

Learn about the investigation

Cover photo: Animal Justice via Business Intelligence for B.C.

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Ban on horse export for slaughter in legislative limbo

Horses in a crate waiting to be shipped for slaughter
Photo: Canadian Horse Defence Coalition

Bill C-355, which would have banned the export of horses from Canada for slaughter, is in legislative limbo since Parliament was paused in January.

Ban on horse export for slaughter in legislative limbo

A bill seeking to ban the export of horses for slaughter is currently stuck in limbo, with Canada’s Parliament prorogued.

What are live horse exports?

For years, compassionate Canadians have been advocating to end the nation’s cruel live horse export industry, which sends horses on long, dangerous journeys for slaughter overseas.

Horses are cramped in crowded crates and can legally go 28 hours without food, water, or rest – though investigations show most journeys exceed this time limit. Deaths and injuries are commonplace, with a recent exposé showing that 21 horses died in 13 months between May 2023-June 2024.

What happened to Bill C-355?

Bill C-355 was passed at the House of Commons but stalled for months in the Senate, despite calls for urgent action from Canadians. Recent polling shows just 22% of Canadians support the live horse export industry continuing. 

If an election is called, the bill will be wiped out. Advocates are encouraged to contact the federal Minister of Agriculture to call for regulations banning the industry before that happens.

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Cover photo: Canadian Horse Defence Coalition