The Grand National: The Dark Side of Horse Racing

The Grand National Handicap Steeplechase is a world-famous horse-race which takes place every year at Aintree and is described by many fans as the world’s greatest steeple-chase.  The first official Grand National took place in 1839 but the competition was under the name ‘The Grand Liverpool Steeplechase’ until 1947 when it was changed to ‘The Grand National Handicap Steeplechase’ which is still the name today.  However there have been many protests leading up to the 2011 Grand National as protestors all over the country have demonstrated outside the betting shops as part of ‘Animal Aid’s Horse Racing Awareness Week’.  They want to put a stop to the races at the 2nd most dangerous race course behind Cheltenham in the U.K.  The Aintree course has killed 31 horses in the last 10 years and the only reason that this race is allowed to continue is because it is funded by the betting industry with vast amounts of money.

Click on the picture for video footage

The BBC is often criticised for its ‘cover-ups’ of the deaths of the horses that take part in the Grand National and came under its heaviest criticism in 2010 after 4 horses were killed in the race but all of which were overlooked and hidden away from the public eye.  Stopping the Grand National proves to be an almost impossible task as the support for the competition is so immense.  Every year, it is attended by royalty, celebrities and leading politicians from all parties as well as making a fortune through betting offices which ultimately fund this cruel sport.  The Aintree course is hazardous with turns so sharp that it hides the horse from view of this immediate turn.  It is not just the course itself which is a hazard, but the number of horses that take part and screaming from the crowd usually adds to the number of fatalities on the 856 yard, 30 jump course.  ‘When people are betting on this race, they are funding a lethal, ruthless and uncaring industry.’ – Animal Aid Director Andrew Tyler.

Becher's Brook- The most famous and formidable obstacle

Billboards have been put up in Liverpool by protestors which label the Grand National as a ‘National Disgrace’.  These billboards encourage the public not to vote on the Grand National as all that they are doing is funding this cruel sport.  Animal Aid director Andrew Tyler has said ‘For too long the Jockey Club has wrung its hands and professed amazement that horses are killed by racing. But the fatalities are as predictable as they are shocking. It is time for the government to rein in this exploitative industry.’

Although horses do enjoy running, a study from the ‘University of Sydney’ has shown that whipping the horses does not make them go any faster after first-of-its-kind research was done. The horses that compete in the Grand National are beaten 15 or 20 times over the gruelling 494 yard run-in.  This cruel sport must be put to an end and the only way that can happen is if the public stop funding the betting industries with such large amounts of money every year as ultimately, this is the only reason that this ‘National disgrace’ is allowed to continue.

Circuses-Behind the Laughter

Shocking videos and images of circus animals being mistreated at a circus currently touring Knutsford in Cheshire have recently been revealed.  Hidden cameras have shown awful footage of Anne the elephant being repeatedly hit with a pitchfork by  Romanian elephant groomer Nicolae Nitu.  The owner of the circus, Moira Roberts, claimed to be unaware of the torture that the animals were enduring; however her husband Bobby Roberts was filmed standing next to Nicolae Nitu as he stabbed Anne the elephant with a pitchfork and kicked her in her leg which is afflicted by arthritis.

Nicolae Nitu shown beating Anne the elephant with a pitchfork.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have worked hard to ensure that circus animals are not trained by using electric shock prods, whips, hooks or any instrument to harm the animals in the circus.  PETA’s website claims that ‘ Bears, elephants, tigers and other animals do not voluntarily ride bicycles, stand on their heads, balance on balls or jump through rings of fire. They don’t perform these and other difficult tricks because they want to; they perform them because they are afraid of what will happen if they don’t.’  There is no point in pretending that these tortures which are inflicted on these helpless animals are a thing of the past.  Of course these videos are not the first of their kind; an undercover investigation at ‘Barson and Carnes Circus’ showed animal care director Tim Frisco training endangered Asian elephants with electrical shock prods.

'Anne couldn't have survived if she hadn't been well looked after' - Moira Roberts

After many protests, 57-year-old Anne has been moved and rehomed at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire.  Moira Roberts, 72, said ‘It’s like losing one of your children.  Anne couldn’t have survived if she hadn’t been well looked after.’  The man seen beating Anne, Nicolae Nitu, has since disappeared and it is believed that he has returned home to Romania or another part of Eastern Europe.  Transporting Anne proved to be extremely difficult due to her arthritic leg but she was successfully transported and arrived at Longleat Safari Park on Sunday 3rd April 2011 after a petition to have her freed obtained 7000 names.

A Four-year-old at the protests outside 'Bobby Roberts Super Circus' while it toured Cheshire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1184fjfrMSA

Anne was Britain’s last circus elephant and will no longer have to endure and more beatings at Longleat Safari Park.  However the war against animals being used in circuses is far from over.  A consultation found that 95% of people felt that it is unacceptable to use any kind of wild animal in a travelling circus. Donations can be made at PETA’s website and the Daily Mail website.  This will go towards helping more animals, like Anne, who are maliciously beaten by their so-called ‘carers’.  Anne will now live out the rest of her days in peace at Longleat Safari Park and will no longer have to endure any more beatings.

Anne plays with a tyre at her new home

Anne is looked after by carers at Longleat Safari Park

Anne enjoys a sand shower

A Day Never To Forget