Australia opens investigation into ‘industrial’ slaughter of racehorses

A report by national broadcaster ABC found up to 4,000 horses ‘disappeared’ each year, their meat shipped abroad or turned into pet food

But the country’s racing industry insists that less than 1 per cent of retired racehorses end up in an abattoir or knackery

1-MIN READ1-MIN

People protest against the treatment of race horses during The TAB Everest race day at the Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on Saturday. Photo: EPA

Published: 11:23am, 22 Oct 2019Updated: 2:18pm, 23 Oct 2019

The secret and “industrial scale” killing of retired Australian racehorses will be examined in a government inquiry, officials said on Tuesday, after an outcry over alleged animal cruelty.

While the slaughter of racehorses is not illegal in Australia, an investigation by national broadcaster ABC last week found the practice was far more widespread than acknowledged.

Protesters hold signs condemning the treatment of race horses in Sydney. Photo: EPA

Meat from prize-winning horses had been shipped abroad for human consumption and pet food, according to the report, which came just weeks ahead of the prestigious Melbourne Cup turf race.

Secretly filmed footage allegedly showed workers at an abattoir north of Brisbane beating and abusing horses, prompting Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to announce an “urgent” inquiry into the treatment of retired thoroughbreds.

The entrance to a pet meat producer in Sydney featured in the ABC investigation. Photo: EPA