May 5, 2008
Eight Belles' Death Brings Controversy
The Kentucky Derby is marketed as a glamorous event, but those who have been there know otherwise – it’s really just a rip-rollicking, drunkified good time. And the “most exciting two minutes in sports,” as a recent documentary would have us know, would not be so without years of dirt, sweat, and hard work. Now, the Kentucky Derby is associated with a different kind of dirty business, after the highly publicized death of one of the race’s thoroughbreds.
Last Saturday at the Derby, a filly named Eight Belles ran to place, but collapsed during her cooldown when both her front legs fractured. She was immediately euthanized before being carried off the track.
PETA is howling for the heads of the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, whom they say are racing horses before their bones have fully developed, and on tracks that are too hard for the horses’ delicate frames. Others are criticizing Churchill Downs management for citing “tradition” as the preventative reason for not yet replacing their dirt track with a synthetic track, shown to reduce injuries and fatalities among jockeys and horses.
We were watching the event when Eight Belles went down, and are grateful to NBC for not showing footage of the horse’s last minutes. Estrogen + a horsey dying = bad combination.
Image via Wikipedia
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Estrogen + a horsey dying = bad combination.
thanks for insulting half the population with that equation. i'm as disturbed as the next person by this tragedy, but lord.
Shannon: You know a woman wrote this post, right? Pretty sure she was referring to her own estrogen level.
Anyway, why anyone gives PETA enough credit to even listen to them is beyond me. I mean, nothing says animal rights like the garden-variety euthanizing of strays.
Hillary bet on this horse. And it DIED. What do you think that means?
And seriously, this article has a terrible misogynistic tone.
Estrogen + a horsey dying = bad combination.
That's a might silly, especially coming from a female writer.
How horse-racing is any better than dog-fighting or cock-fighting I simply don't know. They're all about pushing animals to their limits for entertainmetn.
If you're against one, why not be against them all?
"They're all about pushing animals to their limits for entertainmetn."
Well, doesn't that apply to human sports as well?
Seems like every year a horse snaps its leg under its own weight while running,crushing and shredding bone and skin before falling to the ground to wither in agony before it gets shot, so some drunken southerner in a stupid hat can continue on with a “tradition”
Oh come on! It's just a horse. If it didn't get to race its only gallop would be to the glue factory.
Roughly 4.7 million horses annually are killed for the purpose of consumption by humans worldwide. Yet PETA cares about this horse alone?
"Well, doesn't that apply to human sports as well?"
The difference is humans have a choice.
@Albany:
How does HORSE FIGHTING fit into your horrible analogy?
Spook--god you are a fool.
While you make good pionts about the recent horse killings, you ruin it by saying this: "so some drunken southerner in a stupid hat can continue on with a “tradition”
If you think the Derby, or big-time horse racing, is only about "drunken southerners," you just don't know the reality.
Perhaps you've not noticed, but some major horse tracks are actually located outside the South. And a good number of people at the Derby, employing modern transit technology, came from well north of the Mason-Dixon line.
God, what a fool you are.
I stand corrected drunken southerner in a stupid hats AND shallow midwest mindset nascar republicreature types
Spook: Do you not live in the Midwest?
How does it feel to be so pure? You have never really addressed that, and as a prole midwestern native who has experienced more than a bit of the South, I would love to know. I imagine you must face difficulties that us without your blessings of talent and wisdom don't have to worry about.
Spook, don't forget that some of the most lucrative horse races now take place in the Middle East...
As for the KY Derby, it is basically half drunken mess, and half high society event. I went a couple years ago, and honestly, I wasn't impressed. I couldn't even see the race from my vantage point.
Re: horse racing generally, something isn't right. I remember they had an article about horse-racing deaths at Arlington Park, and something like a horse a week was dying there. So, either they need to find a way reliable way to treat horses with broken legs, or start regulating racing a bit more. There's a nice article on Slate about why horses with broken legs are usually put down. There is something wrong with any "sport" where multiple (unwilling) participants per month die.
Neither southerners nor midwesterners are responsible for the continued tradition of horseracing. It exists at its current popularity level thanks simply to gambling. Location is an afterthought.
Um, these are ANIMALS, not humans. How can an animal CONSENT to anything? Are you retarded?
Should like, oxen consent to fording the River? What about horses for just riding?
Jesus christ. I am a human, I will impose my will on any creature below me and if society thinks it is wrong, I will be punished for it legally.
Go marry a goat.
@oz115, Arlington Park actually changed its surfacing to a synthetic last year b/c of all the deaths, as I understand it. Interestingly, however, it's Churchill Downs, Inc. that OWNS Arlington, and they definitely have no foreseeable plans as of yet to change the surface down in Louisville. Thanks for the tip on the Slate article!!
Again I stand corrected, let the record state; drunken southerner in a stupid hats AND shallow midwest mindset nascar republicreature types AND Middle Eastern potentates.
@ Spook, you forgot QEII.
I get sick and tired of people bashing PETA every time some big news happens.
It's not like anyone is going to listen if PETA stands up for your next door neighbor abusing their cat.
But this was BIG NEWS. It was horrible. And when PETA can get into the mix that's a good thing because they're bringing animal abuse back into the news. People need to be reminded over and over again how rampant animal abuse is.
The 'horsey set' makes me viscerally ill. They don't love horses...the love money, they love getting attention and that's all they care about.
And as for you Spav, if you think it's ok to impose your will on any creature that is 'below' you, then you're a bigger tool than I thought. But then again, after that comment, there would not be too much in the animal or insect kingdom that would be below you.
"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated." - Gandhi
Ingrid,
The "horsey set" makes you viscerally ill? Really? How much do you know about the "horsey set?" I'm not saying that all of those owners are in it for the right reasons, but look up the stories of some of those jockies, like Calvin Borel, or trainers, like the legendary Tom Smith, and you'll find that many of these people are in it for the right reasons and truly respect their horses.
I've said before and I'll say it again. Spav is a hick.
Ingrid:
This is news, and I wish that the horse-breeding community would consider the physical ramifications of breeding a fast horse. As one article put it, when the weight of a 1,000 lb animal is on four legs, with ankles the size of human ankles, there are going to be injuries and/or deaths.
That said, I take issue with PETA. It is great that there are organizations out there that are against animal cruelty. The Humane Society and SPCA are good examples. However, if you look at PETA's track record--euthanizing strays, engaging in their own animal abuse, and my personal favorite, condemming animal testing on pharmaceutical treatments while the heads of PETA are taking those very medications that are tested on animals (a former higher-up taking insulin for example--guess what, that was tested on animals before given to you!--but justifying it by saying it is medically necessary for her) are so in-your-face hypocritical, that all I can do is laugh at the willful ignorance and hypocricy. It's bullshit, plain and simple.
In some situations animals have more rights than humans. It is as hard, or sometimes harder, to get a study that uses animals approved at a university, compared to a similar study in human subjects.
Hey, I support the good organizations. But please tell me why PETA deserves one iota of my respect. I am all ears.
And as for Spav, she deserves about the same amount of respect as I give PETA.
Spook: Don't forget East Coast holiday types. Saratoga Springs is full of folks from not so far from your place of origin.
As a former Louisvillian and Lexingtonian, I'm no fan of the Derby (which any true Kentuckian knows is the best time to be out of state), but we have to accept that these animals wouldn't even exist were it not for this sport. Having seen thoroughbreds and their breeders and trainers up close, I know that in most circumstances--not all, certainly, but most--these animals are treated like gods. And at least from where I've been standing, they seem to enjoy the race.
I think that we as a culture need to accept that sometimes bad things happen that are nobody's fault. It's part of life.
Sparky,
The PETA killings were attributed to Ingrid Newkirk and she was taken totally out of context.
Many anti-PETA websites spread lies and rumors. Even Wikipedia has clarified the situation.
PETA as well as the SPCA and the Humane Society all endorse euthanasia as a means to end suffering and not as population control.
Many of the sources for these rumors are associated with the tobacco, meat and dairy industry and since PETA endorses healthy living and a vegan lifestyle, these ethics run counter to their objectives.
You can also check out www.citizensforethics.org/actions to clear up any misconceptions you may have.
Ingrid, I'm sorry, but the tactics PETA takes are absurd and extremist on so many levels. I didn't express that to you in my previous post, and that is a huge difference between PETA and The Humane Society. And that is my problem with them. PETA spreads scientific lies for their own agenda. Sure, they may do a few good things, but often their tactics are deplorable. PETA is anti-science (that has been proven). To me, the leftist attitudes of many PETA members is just as wrong and scientifically uninformed as anti-science conservative right wing attitudes of some organizations (Greenpeace is another example of the use of pseudoscience to promote a leftist agenda).
As a scientist who cares about the environment and protecting all animals, including humans, and leads a healthy lifestyle, I would never want my name next to anything that has to do with PETA (or Greenpeace for that matter).
...But, thanks for the link. I will be sure to investigate it.
I just like how anytime someone busts out a Gandhi quote, they think it makes them feel all smug and morally superior somehow.
Sparky,
Although I don't agree with all of PETA's tactics, I still support them, financially and emotionally.
I myself would never throw red paint on a fur wearer, but look at how far the anti fur revolution has come. It is totally un PC to wear fur and it is mostly because of the outrageous PETA tactics.
Sometimes you need to be radical to make the world look.
The few things that you think PETA did wrong are nothing compared to the good they have done.
They have exposed so much over the years. In my current Animal Times, which is the mag PETA puts out, here are some of the headlines:
-Chickens Rescued From Cruel Ritual
-Paul McCartney Wears His Heart on His Sleeve
-How 'Mouse" Was Saved from a Cruel Glue Trap
-Stopping More Suffering in the Name of Entertainment
-Animal Abusers Busted
-Communities Choose Humane Pigeon Control
-Denny's Dumps 'The Cruelest Show on Earth'
-Target Stops Supporting Duck Torture
-Horrifying Abuse of Pigs for the Table (from the Investigator's
Log)
I could go on and on.
You, as well as many others, for whatever reason choose to believe the negative press that is churned out by the people I mentioned in my above post. It behooves them and their business interests to try and make PETA look bad.
PETA is the whole reason that I stopped buying Iam's products for my animals YEARS ago. (Iam's participates in cruel animal testing). That is just one small example of many abuses that they investigated and opened my eyes to.
Their mission is different than the Humane Society and the SPCA (and I also support those organizations).
PETA is like the front line. They are the ones out there doing the investigation and the reporting...they're the ones getting into the fray.
If you or others choose to believe the myths that get spread about them buy unscrupulous business, then go ahead. But they have done so much good over the years and there are a lot of innocent animals that thank them.
So where was PETA then when two horses had to be euthanized the weekend before at the Rolex Three Day Event in Lexington?
*crickets*
Didn't garner the media attention so it wasn't worth their time? PETA chooses just to siphon off the scum on top. Weak.
Again I stand corrected, let the record state;
"East Coast holiday types" and what ever a "QEII" is?
Sparky, as far as PETA goes, I surmise that they would rather Not have to be "extreme" but are driven to it because of the rampant moral cowardliness and total disregard for all forms of life. They don't have a choice if they are serious about their mission. I for one, salute their courage.
America would be a better place if we had more courageous folks on the left like Peta as opposed to liberal fence sitters, because republicans and right wingers don't sit on the fence they fight and organize for what they belive.
Spook, QEII, as in Queen Elizabeth the Second. Surely, your worldly self knows that? ;)
Ohhhh, I just didn't recognize QEII because as she is a personal friend of mine,I call her "Queen Qwe Qwe" or "Queen Henne", because when she jets into town she always wants yer Spook to take her to the west side so she can drink Hennessy with the local flavor, cause that’s how she rolls!
Sapient,
PETA is weak?
Actually, that is surely a weak statement. Do a little research on PETA before you make comments like that.
Stop believing the hype that the cigarette, meat and dairy industry puts out. Think about the animal abuse that goes on before your ego. I know that you think it's the cool thing to bash PETA but there are plenty more issues out there to get your panties in a wad over.
I generally have respect for PETA. I don't always agree with their tactics or sensationalism, but as others have alluded, sometimes radicalism or extremism is necessary in order to swing the pendulum back to center...
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
~Margaret Mead
(decidedly not trying to sound smug or morally superior here)
And isn't one of the bigger problems associated with horse racing and its related injuries due to inbreeding of these prized horses? While not my thing, I don't necessarily think horse racing should be banned. But more regulation of the breeders might not be such a bad thing either...
Ingrid, with all due respect, I investigated what PETA does, and don't just read everything--good or bad--as fact. I looked at joing PETA when I was in high school, but didn't like their tactics, even then. HAlf of my fellow students were a part of PETA because they thought it was cool, without understanding PETA's agenda as they ordered McDonalds burgers and wore leather belts. There are plenty of organizations out there that save animals and bring animal awareness without the extreme tactics PETA uses. Oh, and they use sound science to get their message across. I support those organizations financially and emotionally.
I don't think I will ever change your mind. Which is fine. But you do realize that the same tactics that you defend could be said about right wing anti-abortion groups, some anti-evolution groups, and other right-wing extremist groups. Do you defend their tactics equally? The use of pseudoscience in their movement is equally as bad as PETA's use (Example: women that have abortions have a higher risk of breast cancer. Totally false.) Do you support their tactics because what they believe they are doing is right? Because people that support leftist tactics cannot get their undies in a wad when the right uses those tatics for their own agenda.
I support moderate thoughtful organizations and support citizens engaged in change. Not hypocritical extremist groups that are not thoughtful in their use of science. There are other organizations that are able to get the message across in a civil, scientific way. Why not support those organizations? It takes more courage in my opinion, to use the facts that we have to promote change, than to distort the truth with lies and half-lies to reach your goal.
Sparky,
Whoa....comparing PETA to wing nuts and their anti-abortion tirades? That's kind of a leap.
I support a woman's right to choose, so when the wing nuts bomb abortion clinics and kill people, no I don't support that.
I do not compare this action to a PETA activist who breaks into a laboratory to release monkeys that have been inside of cages being deprived and abused for their whole lives.
And I absolutely do support The Humane Society, the SPCA and my local Animal Care League. I send hefty donations to all of them. I also donate to human rights organizations such as Amnesty International.
It's fine that you support the moderate organizations, but because of the tactics of PETA things get done and get press. There are times when you have to be loud and obnoxious.
I'm not saying that I would personally do the some of the things they do, but I support the ones who do it.
I will send PETA money til the day I die.
And it's ok for a high school kid to support PETA and still eat at McDonald's...they're high school kids for crying out loud...they're just trying things out. It's not being hypocritical to support PETA and still eat meat. You do the best you can. You start where you can.
PETA has done SO much good, they have contributed to the cessation of animal abuse in so many major areas. And I am not here to change your mind on this. I'm just stating facts.
Ingrid, I can appreciate that we are on the same page that humans and animals have rights. And I think we believe both of our actions are for the greater good. We'll have differing opinions on how things get accomplished and how we can promote change, and we will not be able to change eachother's minds. Nonetheless, I appreciate the intelligent dialogue.
Pinko, do you think your "center" constructed might be ingrained red white and blue propaganda to accept the idea of "center" uncritically?
For instance, it seems like to a Spook, that the best changes in America occurred when we swung left, i.e. both Roosevelt’s, and "LBJ-Kennedy", you dig?
My point is what would this country look like if we had stayed left as opposed to "center"? Are WE as a nation too brainwashed to actually pounder such a question?