In Japan, Thoroughbreds Race or Die

Published by PETA.

CNN has posted a heartbreaking series of photos by photographer Hajime Kimura showing what happens to thoroughbred horses in Japan.  In all cases, they either race or go to slaughter. For these animals, there are no other choices. Even Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand, who was sold to Japanese horse breeders when he finished racing in the U.S., was eventually slaughtered, as are many American-bred thoroughbreds who are sold to Japan.

While Kimura laments that he was never allowed inside a horse slaughterhouse, PETA investigators traveled to Japan in 2009 and came back with the first-ever video taken inside one these facilities, which shows the terrible end for so many racehorses.

Read more about the racehorse industry.

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 Ingrid E. Newkirk

“Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights?” READ MORE

— Ingrid E. Newkirk, PETA President and co-author of Animalkind

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