| Recession doubles the number of racehorses being destroyed in abattoirs
The number of racehorses destroyed in the UK's abattoirs has more than doubled over the last year, triggering calls from animal rights groups for the racing industry to do more to help thoroughbreds once their racing careers are over. "For years more horses have been bred than have been needed. "If you've got a racehorse you need to commit to that animal," he said, pointing out it often took a couple of years to calm the horse down so that it could be ridden by non-jockeys. But Professor Tim Morris, director of equine science and welfare at the authority, said the figures should be seen in the context of the 1 million horses on the UK's equine database. Dene Stansall, horse racing consultant at Animal Aid, a charity that campaigns against horse racing, described the report's figures as disturbing. "To solve this problem we've got to stop breeding so many, and then we will not have to put so many down," said Carrie Humble, an independent equine welfare consultant. Morris said the industry had taken steps to reduce the number of horses entering racing to be sure there was not an oversupply of thoroughbreds during the economic downturn. But Stansall questioned whether the trend would continue downwards: "Whilst the supply has gone down, as soon as the economy picks up it will rise again. The disposal of horses in United Kingdom abattoirs is part of a wider European trend. Recession doubles the number of racehorses being destroyed in abattoirs |
Monday, 4 June 2012
Recession doubles the number of racehorses being destroyed in abattoirs
