Whipping horses challenged in court battle in Tasmania

PETA organizations are changing the animal world by setting precedents in courts around the world to help protect other species from harm. PETA Australia today opened a criminal case in Tasmania, alleging that the practice of whipping horses at racecourses violates state animal welfare laws.

According to Tasmania’s animal welfare law, it is a crime to kill an animal, and it is a crime to inflict unnecessary and unnecessary pain or suffering on an animal. In light of the ongoing and widespread violations of these laws, PETA Australia has filed charges that will review the legality of whipping horses at racetracks.

PETA Australia previously met with animal welfare manager at Tasmania’s racing agency, Tasracing, to raise concerns about the use of whips, point out that flogging violates state anti-cruelty law, and offer any support that could be welcomed to implement the reform. PETA Australia and a number of other animal welfare organizations then signed a letter to Tasracing asking for a meeting to discuss issues and see if there was a way forward, and the lawyer even flew to Tasmania to meet in person with Tasracing CEO Paul Ericsson. But Ericsson has scrapped further interaction and told PETA Australia that Tasracing has no plans to investigate banning or even phasing out the use of whips.

If PETA Australia achieves conviction in Tasmania, the group will explore options for achieving similar results across the country – and other PETA organizations around the world can start their own litigation battles to protect racehorses from abuse around the world.

Earlier this year, here in the US, New Jersey, home of Monmouth Park, banned whipping for purebred racing except for safety reasons. In 1982, Norway banned the use of a whip except for safety purposes, and in 2009 completely banned the use of a whip for horses aged 3 years and older.

Act for the horses!

Whipping a horse is painful and distressing, and researchers have even found proven that it doesn’t make the horses run faster, but jockeys usually hit thoroughbred horses 15 to 20 times before they cross the finish line.

Please send a polite message to the New York State Gambling Commission (NYSGC) urging them to protect horses by imposing a whipping ban.

Help End Species: Contact NYSGC