HORSE Racing Ireland have said they are “deeply shocked and appalled” following revelations from a RTE investigation into the horse racing industry.
The documentary details the dark secrets of the equine industry, particularly race horses after they have stopped racing.
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The RTE Investigates documentary on Wednesday night was titled ‘RTE Investigates: Horses – Making a Killing.’
Describing the documentary RTE say: “RTE Investigates goes deep inside the equine industry to show what happens to horses after they leave the spotlight.”
In distressing scenes the documentary details how some owners have profited off changing horses identities, flogging them to international traders or attempting to get unfit for consumption horses into the human food chain.
There are also shocking scenes of animal abuse caught on camera.
Releasing a statement on the documentary, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) blasted the “disgusting” “criminal behaviour.”
They said: “The Board, management and staff of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) are deeply shocked and appalled by the content of the RTÉ Investigates documentary broadcast on RTÉ 1 tonight.
“The criminal behaviour depicted in the RTÉ documentary is disgusting and is not the experience of the vast majority of the 30,000 people who make their livelihood in the horse racing and breeding industry in Ireland.
“HRI has zero tolerance for mistreatment of horses in any circumstance and criminal and regulatory sanction must be imposed on anyone found to have behaved in an illegal way towards horses.
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The HRI have announced plans to invest €16.1 million into welfare and integrity services.
The amount laid out in their budget is set to ensure continued focus on standards, traceability, safety nets and education.
Outlining the funding in their statement the HRI said: “Equine safety and care is HRI’s top priority, and this year HRI will invest €16.1 million in welfare and integrity services.
“The thoroughbred horse is enshrined in Irish and EU law. Significant legal and regulatory checks and balances are in place for thoroughbred horses from birth through their racing career and life cycle.”
The HRI have said they will review the issues raised in the RTE documentary that shocked viewers.
They have also stated they will be assisting any Department of Agriculture or Garda investigations and urged people to report any mistreatment of horses to Gardai.
The documentary outlines how the amount of horses abandoned in Ireland each year is indicative that correct licensing laws are not being followed.
By law a horse must have an equine (horse) passport, which is valid for the horse’s lifetime, a microchip implant which links the animal to the passport and a Unique Equine Life Number.
There is also a problem with around 20,000 horses “disappearing” each year in suspected criminal activity including attempting to get them into the human food chain.
Investigation launched
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland Charlie McConalogue and his department said they are taking the matter “very seriously.”
The Minster confirmed the department had launched an investigation in previous weeks into supply of equines for slaughter.
In a statement in response to the documentary last night he said: “I have watched the RTE Investigates programme this evening, which included some distressing images.
“I am taking this matter extremely seriously. My Department has already commenced an investigation in recent weeks involving the supply of equines for slaughter, with aspects of the ongoing investigation related to some of the broadcast activities.
“Any new allegations or evidence of malpractice or allegations of illegal activity in the equine industry that this programme has brought to light will be thoroughly investigated by my Department.”
Calls for Oireachtas enquiry
The Party for Animal Welfare have welcomed the airing of the gruesome documentary.
They are calling for an Oireachtas enquiry into the issues raised in the hour long feature.
A spokesperson for the party said: “The Party for Animal Welfare does not support any form of cruelty or abuse.
“We welcome the disclosure by RTE of the cruel and distressing scenes from the Horse Racing Industry, which is why we are calling for an Oireachtas Enquiry.”
“The Party for Animal Welfare is the only political party dedicated to ending such disturbing and inhumane practices.”
Animal abuse is a criminal offence and may result in court appearances and jail time.
The welfare of horses in Ireland is protected by legislation.
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