Thanks, Suffolk
Suffolk Downs takes a zero-tolerance stand on slaughter:
Sam Elliott, the track’s vice president for racing, has informed the leadership of the New England Horseman’s Benevolent and Protective Association that any trainer found to have sold a horse for slaughter will have his stalls revoked and be denied stalls in the future.
Horsemen are in support of the new policy: “There’s no reason why that should happen nowadays,” said New England HBPA president Al Balestra. “There shouldn’t be any horses going to killers” (ThoroTimes).
Related: Eliminating slaughter won’t solve the problem of the unwanted horses. Fran reports from a recent American Horse Council forum on the issue, which doesn’t get the attention of the emotionally-charged anti-slaughter movement, but is even more important.
6/28 additions: Here’s a story that illustrates too well the problem with unwanted horses. Fortunately, Getaway Hall — a harness racer with career earnings of more than $700,000 — was found by good people. And over on Blood-Horse, Alex Brown answers questions about horse rescue and welfare.
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