LCA Calls for Closure of Santa Anita Racetrack After 22nd Death

LCA is calling for the closure of Santa Anita Park racetrack in Southern California following the death of 3-year-old filly Princess Lili B, who was euthanized on Thursday, March 14, after suffering a serious injury while working out at the track. This marks the 22nd horse to die at the track since the season started in December 2018.

Yesterday, Santa Anita Park announced major reforms would be taking place – including banning jockeys' whips and drugs on race days – however, the fact remains that 197 horses have now died at Santa Anita racetrack over the past five years.

"People involved in the racehorse industry say one death is too many and they love the animals and take care of them like they are family – but horses have no say when they are run until they drop dead or break their legs," says Chris DeRose, President and Founder of LCA. He adds, "No more suffering; no more killings; no more horse racetracks! It's time for them to start closing down, just like the dog racing tracks that once swept across the country."

The California Horse Racing Board's mission is "to ensure the integrity, viability, and safety of the California horse racing industry." The Board is set to meet on March 21 to discuss the recent horse deaths at Santa Anita Park. LCA is calling on the Board to permanently close the racetrack.

TAKE ACTION:

• Contact the California Horse Racing Board Members and urge them to close Santa Anita Park racetrack. (CLICK HERE for the board members' contact information.)

• If a horse racing event comes to your city, organize and/or attend a horse racing protest! You can help educate the public about the cruelties of horse racing by distributing anti-horseracing information outside of racetracks.

• Make a donation today to help LCA continue the fight against horse racing cruelty.

Click here to learn more about horse racing.

Photo: Unsplash