Animal welfare groups criticize Louisiana rule as ‘immoral and tragic’

According to a press release from Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, the two animal welfare groups condemned the Louisiana Horse Racing Commission’s passage of “emergency rules” that went into effect on June 8 and loosen restrictions on drug use at Louisiana racetracks.

“This is not surprising since the state of Louisiana declined to join the Horseracing Fair and Safe Governing Body’s Anti-Doping and Drug Control Program (HISA), the federal racing authority working to establish nationwide drug rules to eliminate horse doping on race day and establish other reasonable horse safety standards,” the statement said, noting that in 2023, HISA tracks had a 32.5% lower injury rate than non-HISA tracks.

“The state of Louisiana clearly believes horses should not be allowed to race without drugs and wants a policy that tolerates racing free of cheating and dishonesty,” said Fred Hudson, equine welfare director for Animal Welfare Action. “If this racing commission were operating under HISA, it would instead act in the best interest of horses and prevent future tragic deaths from drug abuse of this nature.”

Animal Wellness Action and the Center for Humane Economics called on the Commission to immediately rescind its approval of the new rules and join HISA.

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This story has appeared in Top News and has been tagged Animal Welfare, Animal Wellness Action, Center for a Humane Economy, Fred Hudson and Louisiana Horse Racing Commission.