PETA Alleges Cruelty to Eight Belles, Calls for Criminal Charges

In the month since Eight Belles' ankles snapped at the Kentucky Derby, at least 16 thoroughbreds have died at racetracks around the country. Like Eight Belles, 15 suffered breakdowns and were euthanized. One died of heatstroke. At least 800 horses die this way every year at U.S. tracks. Were they, like Eight Belles, drugged the day before the race? Eight Belles' trainer, Larry Jones, has admitted injecting the filly with Phenylbutazone—a powerful anti-inflammatory and painkiller drug—just 27 hours before the Kentucky Derby, but so far, law enforcement has refused to investigate to determine if Eight Belles' handlers knowingly jeopardized her safety. PETA is calling on Kentucky's commonwealth attorney to file criminal charges under the state's cruelty-to-animals statute, which prohibits "cruel or injurious mistreatment" of animals.

PETA's request comes on the heels of the announcement that Congress will hold hearings in June about safety issues and cruelty in the thoroughbred racing industry. Please let Congress know that you care about Eight Belles and all the less famous horses who face death on the track.