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Articles Animal-rights groups vs. horse-racing plan FROM 'THE JERUSALEM REPORT': GO TO
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/398531952 TO SIGN THE
PETITION AGAINST HORSE RACING CRUELTIES � � for more information, go to
www.chai-online.org (excellent
website!) Sept. 18, 2005 The Agriculture Ministry continues to back a plan to bring horse racing
to Israel, despite an animal-right�s group�s appeal to the Supreme Court
against the plan and criticism by MKs opposed to legalized gambling. Hakol Chai, an Israeli animal-rights organization with a sister group in
Virginia (CHAI, the Concern for Helping Animals in Israel) petitioned the
Supreme Court on September 18, claiming that the government, which approved
the racing plan in 2004, had failed to take into account the cruelty endemic
in the sport. The initiative, which is being pushed by Agriculture Minister
Yisrael Katz, would see two race tracks in Israel � the first in the North,
in the Gilboa region, and a second in the Negev. Katz has said that the
tracks will provide employment and serve as tourist attractions. Other MKs,
notably Zevulun Orlev of the National Religious Party, have slammed the
plan, claiming that additional legalization of gambling (beyond the current
Mifal Hapayis lottery and the Sportoro soccer pools) will harm poor
Israelis. A bill enabling the construction of the race tracks is now being
prepared for approval by the Knesset, which must pass a law allowing work to
begin. The Agriculture Ministry rejects Hakol Chai�s claims of animal cruelty.
�Horse racing in Israel isn�t organized, and opening it to gambling is
expected to raise the level of medical care and treatment of the horses, and
so the appearance of this sport in Israel is welcome,� says Dafna Yeristo �
can�t read this � a Ministry spokesperson. �Obviously, unprofessional care
causes the horses much suffering. In addition, the sport will provide
employment for many out-of-work Israelis and will contribute to regional
development.� Tali Lavie, spokesperson for Hakol Chai, insists that the sport�s cruelty
is severe and well documented. Drugging and steroid use � 70% of race-horses
are given performance-enhancing substances. Stomach, lung, and heart damage
is widespread, as are bone fractures. Once the horses are no longer
profitable, they are often killed. �Racehorses live, on average, six years,
while a horse�s normal life span is around 25,� Lavie says. �Israel can find
ways of developing tourism that don�t involve causing such cruelty to
animals.� Fair Use Notice: This document may contain
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copyright owners. We believe that this not-for-profit, educational use on
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