New welfare rules LR114 were implemented by Racing NSW late last year. The new rules, in short, are what CPR have been asking for, for several years. Here’s a quick summary.
As of 1 October 2017:
-no racehorses are to be sent directly or indirectly to a slaughterhouse or knackery
-minimum standards for keeping horses used by the racing industry must be maintained
-contact details of new guardians and locations of horses are to be provided to RNSW
-there must be access to where horses are kept to ensure minimum standards are met
-no horses are to be euthanised unless certified by a registered vet on welfare or safety grounds
Whilst we welcome such rules being put in place and acknowledge they go a long way compared to the single (unenforced) 'request' by Racing Australia for every trainer or guardian to simply complete a retirement form (AR64J) for every horse exiting the industry, many questions need to be asked such as:
1. Will reports on retired horses be made publicly available?
2. How long after retirement does RNSW intend to monitor the welfare of retired horses?
3. How will RNSW monitor horses whose guardians have not filled out the retirement form?
4. How will RNSW ensure that minimum standards are met?
5. What penalties will apply to guardians and trainers who are found guilty for failing to comply with the rules?
6. What action will RNSW take if racehorses are found at a knackery or slaughterhouse?
7. What will RNSW do in a situation where a permanent home cannot be found for a retired racehorse?
These are all questions we will be asking and we will push for positive answers. We will also be lobbying Racing Australia to implement these rules nationally to protect all racehorses from being sent to slaughter and will, of course, hold all states to account now and into the future.
How you can help!
Write to Racing Australia CEO Barry O’Farrell here if you’d like to put your support behind this initiative. Demand that all racehorses deserve to be rehabilitated and rehomed instead of getting a bullet to the head.If you’re in Sydney on the 7 or 14th April, join us as at the Championships rally at Randwick Racecourse to drive home the message that “a horse is for life, not just for racing.” Details below in the upcoming events.
Waiting in line to be killed - Laverton
