PETA Statement Re: Closing of Santa Anita Racetrack

For Immediate Release:
March 5, 2019

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Arcadia, Calif. – Please see the following statement from PETA President Ingrid Newkirk regarding the reported death of the 21st horse to die at Santa Anita racetrack in the past two months and the track’s decision to close until further notice:

On Saturday, after the 20th horse died at Santa Anita racetrack, PETA called on Governor Newsom to close the track. Today, following the death of yet another horse, Santa Anita has stated that it is closing until further notice. This was the right thing to do. The track should remain closed until the California Horse Racing Board dumps the drugs entirely, or injured horses whose soreness is masked by legally allowed medication will continue to sustain shattered bones. PETA renews its call for a criminal investigation into the trainers and veterinarians who may have put injured horses on the track, leading to their deaths.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

For Media: Contact PETA's
Media Response Team.

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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