For Immediate Release, Wednesday 23 October 2019 Animal Rights Activists Target Cox Plate Whips n Spurs What: Protest at Cox Plate Whips n Spurs When: Saturday 26 October, 2019 12:30-3pm Where: Ellerslie Racecourse, 80 Ascot Ave, Remuera Auckland This Saturday, The Cox Plate race day features Whips n Spurs at the Ellerslie Racecourse. Racegoers will be dressed up for ‘Whips n Spurs’ and so will anti-racing protesters as they demonstrate outside the racetrack. “Animal abuse is so normalised in the horse racing industry, they blatantly name an event after the cruel and painful instruments used to dominate horses and push them well beyond their limits” said Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) spokesperson Aya Oba. Activists will be holding placards and banners with confronting images of the cruel reality behind horse racing, calling on racegoers and members of public to reconsider supporting the so-called ‘sport’ and ‘entertainment’. “We will protesting against animal cruelty but we will be dressed up just like racegoers, showing that an opportunity to ‘glam up’ doesn’t require support of animal abuse” Ms Oba said. “We are opposed to horse racing. The cruelty in the industry has been well hidden and we want to raise awareness in a peaceful yet effective and unique way so that people consider making kinder choices by not attending or betting on horse racing” she said. “We have already recorded the deaths of 12 horses from haemorrhages, heart attacks and fractures related to horse racing so far this year. Most recently, racing at Wanganui, Guy Fox was killed after colliding with a fallen horse in a jumps race. All these deaths are in the name of gambling and entertainment.” “It’s your bet and their lives. Every aspect of their life revolves around making money in the name of entertainment and as a result, their welfare is compromised.” “These horses are bred into a lifestyle that is completely unnatural to them. They are whipped and forced to run for their lives often sustaining injuries that can prematurely make them uncompetitive”. “It is the reality that when the horses are no longer profitable, many are sent to the knackery to be turned into dog food just like so many foals that don’t have the desired temperament or the natural ability so never even make it to the racetrack.” “We want people to think twice about attending and supporting racing events. There are cruelty-free ways to dress up and have a good time. It is not a party for the animals.” “Horses are sentient, intelligent and majestic beings. How do we justify the mistreatment and death of innocent animals? We need to end animal cruelty and speciesism” Ms Oba said. Protest location: Corner of Ascot Avenue and Greenlane East, Remuera ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
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