14 Horses Euthanized for Dangerous Equine Disease: PETA Statement

For Immediate Release:
October 10, 2024

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Please see the following statement from PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo regarding the recent euthanasia of more than a dozen racehorses infected with Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) across three states:

The deaths of 14 racing Quarter Horses who tested positive for Equine Infectious Anemia at licensed tracks in California, New Mexico, and Texas were absolutely tragic because they were likely preventable. PETA’s investigations into bush tracks in these states show that unsanctioned racing is contributing to the spread of EIA, as hundreds of horses are moved across state lines without veterinary certificates every week. So far in 2024, Texas has had 16 EIA outbreaks in 12 counties, resulting in the euthanasia of 49 equines—five times more than any other state. There is no cure and no vaccine for the disease, and it can rapidly spread in bush racing—in which horses are injected with cocaine, meth, and other street drugs—through the reuse of needles, syringes, IV tubing, and contaminated drug vials. PETA urges racing commissions and health authorities in all states with bush tracks to strictly enforce the testing requirements and to shut down these black market tracks now.

States with known bush tracks are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment or abuse in any other way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.