PETA Statement re the North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians’ Opposition to Santa Anita’s Phase Out of the Medication Lasix

For Immediate Release:
March 19, 2019

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Please see the following statement from PETA senior vice president Kathy Guillermo contradicting and condemning the North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians’ statement opposing Santa Anita’s planned phase out of Lasix:

The North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians (NAARV) has issued a statement implying that only “specific sectors”—that is, PETA—and a minority in racing back the end of Lasix use. But many people in racing advocate for an end to the use of this medication. Lasix is used nowhere in the world but North America, and here in the United States, even in 2014, numerous trainers and owners, including D. Wayne Lukas and Todd Pletcher, called for a phase out of Lasix. The Horse Racing Integrity Act—legislation backed by the Jockey Club and many in racing—would immediately eliminate Lasix if passed. The “specific sectors” that NAARV claims are influencing this decision are most of the people in the world who work in racing. Perhaps the veterinarians are nervous that required reduction in medication use across the board at Santa Anita will mean a drop in their incomes.

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