A CAMPAIGNER dressed as a horse and jockey in a bid to persuade Worcester shoppers not to support the Grand National.
Pauline Burgess joined other animal protection campaigners to protest in the city centre by handing out leaflets urging people to boycott the horse racing event, which takes place on Saturday (April 11).
Placards were held in the city centre about the ‘thousands of horses put to death annually’ by the racing industry.
The action was part of Horse Racing Awareness Week, organised by Animal Aid, which is designed to precede and include the Grand National meeting at Aintree, where 40 horses have died since the year 2000.
Ronald Lee, communications officer for Worcestershire Vegans and Veggies, who organised the demonstration, said it was not just the Grand National they were hoping to put to an end.
“It is important to remember that every other racecourse in the country is also responsible for the deaths of horses,” he said.
“For instance, in the past five years, 31 horses have died or been put to death at Worcester Racecourse after suffering appalling injuries such as broken legs and necks.
“Every year about 400 horses die from their injuries on the courses or in training or are killed because they are considered of no further commercial value.
“In addition, many thousands are slaughtered annually in the UK and Ireland, after failing to make the grade as racers or when their racing days are over.
“Ordinary people can help put an end to this horrific situation by not attending or betting on horse racing, so this appalling death-industry fades away through lack of financial support.
“Many members of the public vowed never to support horse racing after reading our leaflets and dozens signed a petition calling for the Grand National to be banned.”
Visit www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/CAMPAIGNS/horse for more information on contact Ronald Lee on 01562 700043.
