ANIMAL rights activists have left hundreds of leaflets strewn across L’Ancresse Common over the past 48 hours. The leaflets are part of a campaign protesting against Monday’s race meeting.
Showing a horse with a broken leg and the phrase ‘Cruelty - You can bet on it’, the leaflets from the UK-based Animal Aid organisation claim that every year in the UK about 375 horses die as a result of racing .
Racing consultant for Animal Aid Dene Stansall was yesterday unaware of any individuals behind the leafleting in Guernsey.
‘It’s not a big island and population and there are at least 20 people who are registered supporters of Animal Aid ‘UK’. We normally find an equal amount who are occasional supporters,’ he said.
He suggested if the figures were compared across the whole of the country that would be a strong level of support for animal rights given the 60,000 population.
‘I was surprised when I looked at the figures,’ he said.
He believed more than just the dangers of racing over rabbit holes might be behind the protest.
‘Just as dangerous is if a horse weighs half a tonne and the ground comes up on the softer side. There are problems on the bends for racehorses and they put their feet in holes caused by other horses before and they don’t put the divots back,’ he said.
‘Animal Aid is a peaceful lobbying group and we would not support any illegal activity or violence. But we would happily support any peaceful demonstration on Monday and would welcome that.’
Animal Aid is reputedly the largest animal rights movement in Europe and has international recognition, particularly on the horse racing front.
Top national racing commentator Mark Johnson had no doubts yesterday that the course was safe.
‘Categorically - I would not get on the aeroplane and come over if I thought there was a problem,’ he said.
He stressed that everybody had a right to a view, but tried to allay any fears.
‘This is a sport - accidents do happen. The one thing that we in racing know is that everything that is possible to prevent an accident has been done.
‘In horse racing in general and in the Channel Islands of both Guernsey and Jersey no stone has been left unturned on animal welfare,’ he stressed.
Veterinary care and procedures put in place beforehand are exactly the same as at a big race meeting in England or anywhere else and inspections are carried out.
‘I love horses. You see thoroughbred horses who are bred to race and love to race and if they don’t want to, they won’t.’
A total of 35 stewards and 10 police officers will patrol the course throughout the day.
‘The organisers have sufficient staff to deal with the horse racing,’ said Chief Inspector Ruari Hardy.
‘But anyone acting in an irresponsible way could pose a danger both to the animals and the public.’
Police asked anyone with information on people planning to cause trouble to contact them.
The leaflets invite people to contact Animal Aid via either phone or email.
* Guernsey’s Animal Aid has no connection with the leaflet protest nor the UK activists.
Article posted on 5th May, 2007 - 12.00am
Loading ...
Most Commented: