Rep. Chu Reiterates Call for Moratorium on Horse Racing at Santa Anita
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Sunday, May 26, another horse died racing at Santa Anita racetrack. The horse was the 26th to die racing or training at Santa Anita since December 26, and the third in nine days. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), whose district includes the racetrack and who called for a Congressional hearing and investigation into the treatment of horses, released the following statement reiterating her call for an immediate moratorium on horse racing at the track until the safety of the horses can be guaranteed:
"Although the Santa Anita racetrack did implement some positive changes, it is clear that they are insufficient. Horse deaths have become an accepted part of horse racing as a sport, and in America, our horses die at a rate almost three times the international average. Small rule changes are not enough. That is why I have been calling for a Congressional hearing to investigate the causes of these horse deaths and how we can stop them. And I continue to support federal legislation to establish a national horse racing board that can better regulate this sport. We need to understand what is causing so many horses to die, and what changes we can make so that killing horses is not seen as an inevitable component of this widely enjoyed sport and pastime. In the meantime, all racing at Santa Anita should be halted."