WASHINGTON (September 12, 2019)—The Humane Society Legislative Fund and the Humane Society of the United States have called for immediate passage of the Horseracing Integrity Act, and for an investigation by an independent authority regarding claims alleging that 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify failed a drug test after winning a 2018 Santa Anita race, which occurred one month before the Kentucky Derby. The results of Justify’s failed drug test were not revealed nor addressed in conjunction with the California Horse Racing Board’s rules in place for a medication violation at that time, which could have eliminated his participation in the Triple Crown races.
Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, offered the following statement: “Whether it’s doping in Major League Baseball, the Tour de France or horse racing, there’s no room for argument. Horseracing is at a crossroads. Swift Congressional action on the Horseracing Integrity Act is needed to end doping and provide for the welfare of these amazing equine athletes. They’re innocent, they don’t choose to dope and they deserve the protection that a federal law would afford.”
Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, released this statement: “The horseracing industry cannot continue to both promote and police its own sport. Passage of the Horseracing Integrity Act H.R.1754/S.1820 is even more urgent in light of the report involving Justify’s failed drug test prior to the Triple Crown races and his subsequent victories. Reform of medication policies in horseracing and proper oversight of doping violations by independent authorities are urgently needed. We call for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Justify’s drug test.”
Media contact:
Emily Erhorn: 202-779-1814, eehrhorn@humanesociety.org
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The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.
Founded in 1954, the Humane Society of the United States and its affiliates around the globe fight the big fights to end suffering for all animals. Together with millions of supporters, the HSUS takes on puppy mills, factory farms, trophy hunts, animal testing and other cruel industries, and together with its affiliates, rescues and provides direct care for over 100,000 animals every year. The HSUS works on reforming corporate policy, improving and enforcing laws and elevating public awareness on animal issues. More at humanesociety.org.
Subscribe to Kitty Block’s blog, A Humane World. Follow the HSUS Media Relations department on Twitter. Read the award-winning All Animals magazine. Listen to the Humane Voices Podcast.
