2015-10-22
Greens animal welfare spokesperson Sue Pennicuik today delivered 964 signed post cards to the Premier calling for an end to Victoria’s jumps racing industry.
“Research has shown that jumps is far more dangerous than flat racing, with catastrophic limb injuries 18 times more likely and cranial, back and neck injuries 121 times more likely in jumps events.
“Four horses were killed on the track this season, and 118 have been killed in jumps racing in Victoria since 2000. Half of the horses that compete are not seen the following year due to injuries sustained during jumps events.
“Victoria and South Australia are the only states that still allow jumps racing and this needs to stop,” Sue Pennicuik said.
“Queensland abolished jumps racing in 1903 and it was stopped in Western Australia in 1941. It was banned in New South Wales in 1997 and the last jumps race held in Tasmania was in 2007.
“In 1991, a federal Senate Select Committee on Animal Welfare recommended that jumps racing be banned because of its inherent cruelty.
“The Greens, alongside the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses, the RSPCA, Animals Australia, Animal Liberation, the Humane Society International and majority of the community have long called for an end to jumps racing.
“How many more horse deaths and injuries to horses and jockeys will it take before this state sanctioned animal cruelty stops,” she said.
For further comment: Sue Pennicuik 03 9530 8399