GOVERNMENT MUSTN'T USE RECESSION AS AN EXCUSE TO NEGLECT ANIMAL WELFARE
March 17, 2009 10:18 AM
Local MP Andrew Stunell has this week teamed up with Animal Aid to call for greater protection for racehorses, at an event in the House of Commons.
Andrew has called on the government to press the racing industry to curb over breeding of thoroughbreds, and to take steps to reduce the number of horse deaths on British racecourses. Over 18,000 thoroughbred foals are bred each year, with only 40% going on to race. Many of those that are not used are slaughtered for meat or destroyed. Over 400 horses a year die through racecourse or training injuries.
Animal Aid have been campaigning for improved racehorse welfare for over a decade, and launched an online database, "Race Horse Deathwatch" in March 2007. The database records every fatality on a British Racecourse, with 167 deaths recorded in the first year alone.
Commenting, Andrew said:
"The number of deaths of racehorses is shockingly high, and the government needs to hold to account an industry that is almost entirely self-regulating.
"The government also needs to act to crack down on the irresponsible over-production of race horses and consequent destruction of large numbers of unwanted animals.
"Racehorses, like any other animal, should be treated humanely, and the government mustn't use the recession as an excuse to neglect its responsibilities on animal welfare."
ENDS
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