Statement From PETA re Today's Death of a 4-Year-Old Filly, the 20th Horse to Die at Santa Anita

Statement From PETA re Today’s Death of a 4-Year-Old Filly, the 20th Horse to Die at Santa Anita

For Immediate Release:
March 2, 2019

Contact:
Megan Wiltse 202-483-7382

Arcadia, Calif. –

Please see the following statement from PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo regarding the death of 4-year-old filly Eskenforadrink, the 20^th horse to die at Santa Anita racetrack in the past two months:

Twenty dead horses is 20 too many, and the only responsible action is for the track to close right away and stop this spiral of deaths. The California Horse Racing Board and Santa Anita must do this now, and law enforcement must begin an immediate investigation of trainers and veterinarians to find out whether injured horses were being forced to run. Virtually every Thoroughbred who races in California is given phenylbutazone, a strong anti-inflammatory drug, 24 hours before a race, and this can mask injuries. Whether there was an issue with medication or the weather—or both—it’s clear that no horse should be on that track.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.