Animal rights organizations have spoken out against a British festival after five horses were killed in only two days of racing. England's Cheltenham Festival has been dubbed “cruel” and “an unnecessary gamble with animals' lives” in the aftermath of horses being forced to be euthanized after injuries sustained at the festival. Scotsirish and Garde Champetre were euthanized on the first day after fracturing legs on the flat, along with Educated Evans, who broke a leg at a fence during the final race that day. Two more horses, Featherbed Lane and Abergavenny, also suffered from broken legs the following day and were also euthanized. Yet another horse, Wishfull Thinking, fell and crashed through the rail taking out his jockey and a photographer. “The news that five horses have now been killed in just two days of racing at Cheltenham confirms the reputation of the Festival as a bloody and unforgiving event,” said Animal Aid in a press statement. “The race that claimed today's two victims could easily have killed more, given the numerous alarming incidents. It featured an insanely crowded field of 28 runners, who would have found it difficult to position themselves safely when approaching the numerous obstacles. Adding to the risk was the noisy, frenetic Festival atmosphere in which the horses have to race. Cheltenham has now killed 38 horses since 2000. Calling it a sporting event is a travesty,” continued Animal Aid. Groups are not the only people frustrated. UK resident Molly McDowell told Bikyamasr.com that the fight for animal rights “must extend to horses.” She argued that “if this festival is killing animals, then why have it in this day and age. Or at least change the tradition to something that doesn't involve animals risking their lives for the amusement of people.” Organizers refused to respond to Bikyamasr.com questions over why so many horses fell during the events. But some have argued the pitch was not properly ready for the racing, despite round the clock preparations. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/zq15z Tags: Animal Aid, Cheltenham, Deaths, Festival, Horses Section: Animals, Editor's choice, Latest News, United Kingdom, Western Europe
