Alert Success! Horse Advocacy Published in FWST LTE

[Guest guest]

Thanks to all who wrote LTE regarding the glorified abuse of horse racing. Vegetarian Network of Dallas members, Jennifer Sellers and Melanie Blake, were published in the May 10th FWST (Wonderful letters. Congratulations!). LTE are about the only way animal advocacy has to get the facts published by the mass media. And, every time the truth is put into print, we move a little loser to winning for the animals in the court of public opinion. Whether or not your letter was selected, you contributed to getting these letters published. Keep up the good work! Margaret, Founder, Vegetarian Network of Dallashttp://startelegrameditwriters.typepad.com/letters_to_the_startelegr/Sport of kings or exploitation? Gary West, the Star-Telegram’s horse racing writer, wrote: “Yes, Eight Belles’ death was tragic. But don’t blame horse racing.” (See Tuesday column “Moralists’ reaction to Eight Belles’ death is rush to judgment.”) What should we blame? Eight Belles’ death after the May 3 Kentucky Derby was another reminder that these horses are raced when they’re so young that their bones have not properly formed. Eight Belles’ jockey whipped her mercilessly as she came down the final stretch. This was no great surprise — trainers, owners and jockeys are driven by the

desire to make money, leaving the horses to suffer terribly. Horse racing is another way for humans to exploit animals. It’s barbaric, and many of these magnificent animals that are no longer “useful” endure the most shocking, cruel slaughter and then end up on someone’s plate! What a shame that we’re still so uncivilized and continue to amuse ourselves at the expense of animals. Will humans ever find ways to amuse themselves without exploiting the nonhuman species? — Don and Melanie Blake, Houston I read West’s column with amusement — the trashing of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the support of horse racing, the glorious benevolence in the industry. He concluded by saying that we shouldn’t “blame horse racing.” Say what? Horse racing is

exactly what killed Eight Belles. And it has killed many other horses this year, not all in the limelight. West’s rationalization was that these horses wouldn’t have been born if not to race. Oh, to be so lucky! I wonder if pigs in crates waiting for the hammer to fall feel the same way, or cows born only to be slaughtered for man’s taste buds. And West failed to mention racehorses that end up in slaughterhouses. The “armchair moralists” are all that the horses have. They’re used for man’s entertainment, financial gain and folly. Thank God for PETA, which at least researches the facts of the industry. The least that West could have done was mention that the industry could possibly make some changes instead of giving it carte blanche. Of course, there are horse lovers in this world, and many horses live well. But that doesn’t excuse the blatant abuse of thoroughbred racing. All cruelty needs

some investigation — whether it’s children or animals. — Jennifer Sellers, Richardson Thank God for moral people! Never mind how much the industry “gives” to charity, race horses are racing to their deaths with every race. I always attended the Ascot races when I lived in England many years ago and had entrance to the royal enclosure. But, thankfully, I became a better person with a higher spiritual conscience and realized how cruel racing was. — Alexandra Wolf, Fort Worth The “sport of kings” is a ruthless business that puts the well-being of these beautiful animals dead last. If human athletes were to regularly suffer broken limbs by simply running a race, you can bet there would be

investigations. — Tracy Sterling Bristol, Colleyville

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