Animal rights activists in New Zealand will protest at the Ellerslie Racecourse on Boxing Day (26th of December) at an event where people dress up to watch horses being forced to race.
“Auckland’s biggest ‘party’ is shameful and contributes to animal abuse,” said Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) spokesperson Aya Oba in a media release about the SkyCity Boxing Day Races.
“Injuries and death of horses in the racing industry are common practice because the horses are treated as a commodity for profit. The harm occurs both on the racetrack and behind the scene”, Oba continued.
“As one example, it is standard practice that when racehorses are no longer profitable, many are sent to the knackery. Thousands of thoroughbreds in Aotearoa [Māori name for New Zealand] are going missing on a yearly basis – and all these deaths are for the revenue of gambling and entertainment.”
“While people are enjoying bubbles and fashion, there are horses bubbling from their mouth, bleeding in their lungs and being raced to death. Glam up events don’t justify supporting animal cruelty,” Oba said.
The protesters will dress up too on that day to raise awareness for the mistreatment of racehorses. “We want people to think twice about attending and supporting racing events. There are cruelty-free events that you can still enjoy with family and friends.”