Protesters hold bloody anti Melbourne Cup demonstration

1 month ago 14

Protesters have held a bloody demonstration outside Flemington Racecourse the day before the Melbourne Cup.

The group held signs saying “You bet they die” and “Nup to the cup” along with whips and starter guns shooting blood into the air. The activists said the protest was aimed at protecting race horses, who they claimed are subjected to “severe abuse and even death” while racing.

The demonstration against the Cup was organised by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR).

The small group observed current restrictions around gatherings in Metropolitan Melbourne, and a spokesperson told news.com.au they weren’t approached by police during the protest or moved on.

“A spate of recent controversies has exposed the racing industry’s ruthless slaughter of thousands of unwanted racehorses, and yet, nothing has changed,” Kristen Leigh, the communications director of CPR said. “Racehorses are still being sent to slaughter while the industry pretends to have cleaned up its mess.”

CPR claims thoroughbred race horses commonly suffer illnesses, including “stomach ulcers, internal bleeding from the lungs, and are painfully whipped to the finish line”.

“While media coverage glosses over the bleeding lungs, broken bones, and tragic loss of life, horses on Australian racetracks are subject to severe abuse and even death,” Emily Rice, PETA’s Senior Outreach and Partnerships Manager said.

“How many more deaths will it take before we call time on this disgraceful demonstration of national senselessness?”

Last week NSW Racing CEO Peter V’landys committed to lobbying the state government for a positive outcome for thoroughbreds, after secret camera footage revealed retired race horses had been killed at a knackery.

NSW Racing’s regulatory body launched an investigation after the footage, obtained by activists, revealed the horse’s deaths.

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