For Immediate Release, Monday 22 February 2021 Protesters Outside Launceston Cup Call for an End to the Barbaric ‘Sport’ What: Rally Against Launceston Cup When: Wednesday 24 February 2021 11am Where: Tasmania Turf Club, Jellico St Mowbray Heights TAS The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) will join forces this weekend with local activists from Direct Action Everywhere Tasmania outside the Launceston racetrack, urging racegoers to boycott the cup event, saying it is cruel and unnecessary. “Racegoers can no longer claim they don’t know about the inherent cruelty they are supporting” spokesperson for Direct Action Everywhere, Gabby Knox said today. “There have been several documentaries exposing what were once the racing industry’s dirty secrets.” Even Tasmania’s Director of Racing, John King, admitted on ABC Morning Radio that a “significant” number of two, three and four year old racehorses are shot in the head due to simply not being fast enough – referring to the issue as an “unfortunate truth”. Listen here. “In Tasmania, people like to think we don’t send racehorses to slaughter, but the majority do end up at our knackeries, or butchered in backyards or sent to the mainland to eventually meet the same fate. Tasmanian racehorses were even found at the horrific Meramist slaughterhouse in Caboolture QLD. It’s time for people to make a stand and stop supporting this industry” Knox said. Research by CPR shows, on average, 299 thorougbred horses vanish from Tasmanian racing each year. More here. But it is not only the systemic slaughter of racehorses that makes this industry beyond redemption. “On average, at least one horse will die on Australian racetracks every three days from being pushed too hard, too often in the pursuit of ever-growing prize money” Knox said. “The death of Douglas recently at the Devonport Racecourse was tragic, and it is just one death, on one day, on one racecourse in Australia. He is just one of many that are killed whilst racing for their lives.” “Researchers at the University of Melbourne have shown that 56 percent of racehorses have blood in their windpipe, and 90 percent have blood deeper in their lungs. It is the 21st century. There is no need for us to force animals to race around in circles for our own entertainment. The party is not worth the toll paid by the horses and the waste of life that ensues.” “We join the growing Nup To The Cup movement across Tasmania and the rest of the country and call for the end of the Launceston Cup, and all racetrack events” Gabby Knox said. ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
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