Kentucky’s Churchill Downs horse racing track suspends racing upon recommendation of The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority after 12 horse deaths

Kentucky’s Churchill Downs horse racing track suspends racing upon recommendation of The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority after 12 horse deaths

Kentucky’s Churchill Downs horse racing track suspends racing upon recommendation of The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority after 12 horse deaths

WASHINGTON (June 2, 2023)—In response to Kentucky’s Churchill Downs horse racing track announcement of a halt to racing upon the recommendation of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund issued the following statement.

Keith Dane, senior director of equine protection at the HSUS, said:

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Update 6/16/23: The Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sens. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. The U.S. still exports tens of thousands of horses to slaughter. It’s well past time we permanently ban domestic horse slaughter in the U.S. and stop the export of American horses for slaughter abroad.

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Update March 21, 2024: The Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act has just been reintroduced in the U.S. Senate as S. 4004 by Sens. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Mark Warner, D-Va., with 48 other original cosponsors—that’s half the Senate! The parallel House bill, H.R. 3090, now has 241 co-sponsors, more than a majority in that chamber. It’s high time to enact the PAST Act and end the indefensible cruelty to horses known as “soring.”

By Keith Dane

Update 5/8/23: A total of seven horses died at Churchill Downs in the days leading up to and on the day of the Kentucky Derby, and five horses were scratched. In light of these facts, it is shocking that the race was even run. Lives are on the line: The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act must be fully implemented and enforced immediately. Anyone seeking to delay such protections for horses cares nothing at all for the welfare of these animals.

Today, I’m pleased to share our Humane Scorecard for the second session of the 117th Congress, a strong reflection of the success of our animal protection agenda in 2022. The scorecard tracks key co-sponsorships, votes and other animal-friendly actions by federal lawmakers. It’s more than just an accountability tool, however. It creates greater awareness and incentives for further commitment, and we’re heartened that so many legislators work hard to achieve a high score.

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