The kentucky derby was sadly marred by a terrible accident in which the second place horse wound up losing it’s life. Eight Belles, who led for most of the race placed second and then , while slowing down after the race, suddenly slipped and broke both legs. In order to alleviate what must have been terrible pain for a horse who probably would never walk again, the kind est act was done and the horse was euthanized.
How ever, this kind act was not wasted on Ingrid Newkirk, president and founder of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of animals, not the more famous culinary society: People Eating Tasty Animals).
No sooner had the sad event occurred than Ingird decided to pen a letter to Robert Beck, the head of the agency that relugates horse racing asking for an investigation, and to have the jockey (even prior to the investigation) suspended from racing. “compassionate people will not tolerate a sport whose champions end up lying dead,” she threatens. She claims that the jockey abused an injured horse by whipping it dui9rng the race. The attending veterinarian, Dr. Larry Bramlage has taken umbrage at Ms. Newkirk’s remarks.
“I don’t know if Eight Belles was injured before the finish line,” said Bramlage, who is an equine surgeon in Lexington. “She finished the race and galloped more than a quarter-mile after that. That’s all you want the horse to do.”
Obviously, Ms Newkirk, who was not on the track, could tell that the horse was injured much better than the veterinary staff who was actually at the race. Ms. Newkirk also feels the owners of the horse should be deprived of their second place winnings for some arbitrary reason. It certainly is not enough to have them grieve the loss of an animal they loved. How compassionate of Ms. NewKirk.
Worst of all, she published the letter to the media before the person she addressed it to even got it. What an ehtical act for a group that uses the term ethical in it’s name. it is my beleif that Ms Newkirk saw fitting to use the tragedy of this animals untoimely death as a way to propogate her noteriety.
For that, she getrs a major Chumpzilla.
The Chumpzilla Award 