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Australian racehorse slaughter allegations prompt investigation | Australian racehorse slaughter allegations prompt investigation |
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Australian authorities have launched an investigation into suspected animal cruelty after a TV report revealed the alleged mass slaughter of racehorses. | Australian authorities have launched an investigation into suspected animal cruelty after a TV report revealed the alleged mass slaughter of racehorses. |
Footage of horses allegedly being mistreated at an abattoir in Queensland caused widespread anger when it was aired on broadcaster ABC on Thursday. | Footage of horses allegedly being mistreated at an abattoir in Queensland caused widespread anger when it was aired on broadcaster ABC on Thursday. |
The slaughter of racehorses is legal in Australia, but industry rules in some states require horses to be "rehomed". | The slaughter of racehorses is legal in Australia, but industry rules in some states require horses to be "rehomed". |
Racing is a popular and lucrative industry in the nation. | Racing is a popular and lucrative industry in the nation. |
State government officials described the allegations - aired ahead of the main spring racing season - as "abhorrent". | State government officials described the allegations - aired ahead of the main spring racing season - as "abhorrent". |
On Friday, Queensland authorities sent inspectors to one of the abattoirs named by ABC's 7.30 programme. The report alleged that 300 racehorses were killed there over a 22-day period. | On Friday, Queensland authorities sent inspectors to one of the abattoirs named by ABC's 7.30 programme. The report alleged that 300 racehorses were killed there over a 22-day period. |
It also broadcast covertly taken footage which appeared to show horses being beaten and mistreated in other ways. | It also broadcast covertly taken footage which appeared to show horses being beaten and mistreated in other ways. |
Some of the meat from slaughtered animals was exported for human consumption in countries in Asia and Europe, the report said. | |
New South Wales Racing Minister Kevin Anderson said the footage had made those involved in the sport "sick to their stomach". | New South Wales Racing Minister Kevin Anderson said the footage had made those involved in the sport "sick to their stomach". |
Racing Australia, the national industry body, added it should lead to prosecutions. | Racing Australia, the national industry body, added it should lead to prosecutions. |
But the national body said it did not have the ability to track racehorses after they retired from competition. It reiterated calls for a national register to be established. | But the national body said it did not have the ability to track racehorses after they retired from competition. It reiterated calls for a national register to be established. |
About 8,500 horses nationally are retired from the track each year. Racing Australia said it believed less than 1% of such animals ended up in an abattoir. | About 8,500 horses nationally are retired from the track each year. Racing Australia said it believed less than 1% of such animals ended up in an abattoir. |
The industry has long drawn criticism from animal welfare groups such as the RSPCA, which on Friday said officials had "lost control" over how horses were managed. | The industry has long drawn criticism from animal welfare groups such as the RSPCA, which on Friday said officials had "lost control" over how horses were managed. |
"Racing authorities repeatedly claim that animal welfare is 'paramount', yet they don't want to admit that racehorses are being slaughtered," it said in a statement. | "Racing authorities repeatedly claim that animal welfare is 'paramount', yet they don't want to admit that racehorses are being slaughtered," it said in a statement. |
Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend Australia's spring racing events. The nation's most prestigious race, the Melbourne Cup, will be held on 5 November. | Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend Australia's spring racing events. The nation's most prestigious race, the Melbourne Cup, will be held on 5 November. |