textually / CC

As if we didn't already have enough reasons to protest the horseracing industry, the Associated Press reports that nearly 20 racehorses crammed inside a double-decker trailer meant for moving cattle sustained numerous injuries following the four-day transport from the U.S. to Puerto Rico. Apparently, it didn't occur to the people handling these animals that horses are taller than cows. The horses' bodies were forced into unnatural and painful crouched positions—even causing one horse to remain crouched over for five days following arrival.

The injuries sustained en route have prompted the U.S. Department of Agriculture to launch a federal investigation.

I guess the handlers missed the memo sent out by the legion of misguided race fanatics that racehorses are better cared for than any other animal used for "entertainment." Sarcasm aside, the aforementioned statement is the number one excuse we keep hearing from race fans who continue to support a dying industry.

This wasn't one case of poorly arranged transport, folks—it's an ever-growing trend in the racing industry to cut costs and increase earnings. Thoroughbreds are transported to Puerto Rico by the hundreds each year, and racehorses on all tracks are made to suffer by this money-hungry industry. Steroids, painkillers, and injuries because of underdeveloped bones—if this is the good life, then I really don't want to see the bad. Take action to help horses here.

*The other reasons are the more than 5,000 horses that have died on racetracks since 2003.

Posted by Jennifer Cierlitsky

Since the massive pet food recall began, we’ve gotten a ton of questions from people worried about feeding their animals Iams dry food, even though only canned food has been recalled so far. So today, PETA is holding a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington to call on the FDA to immediately expand the recall to include dry food as well as canned, until it can all be chemically tested for safety.

One person speaking at the news conference will be Pennsylvania resident Yvette Faulkner, whose cat Sassafras suffered kidney failure and had to be euthanized. Ms. Faulkner states that Sassafras ate only Iams’ dry food. Our hearts are with you, Yvette.

We’re also calling for an investigation into whether Iams knew about the contaminated food before it was recalled. Reports indicate that Menu Foods, Iams’ manufacturer, may very well have known about the contaminated food as early as February 20. The recall didn’t go into effect until March 16. Unreal.

Given Iams’ history of causing animal suffering, it will be very interesting what comes to light as this case unfolds . Remember, these are the folks that paid for this:

Enough said, for now.