Another three dead horses in a brutal traditional race in England

Activists are calling for a ban on such competitions following the death of three horses during the traditional Grand National horse race at Liverpool’s Aintree Racecourse. “Such races should be banned to prevent a repeat of the brutal atrocities we saw in Aintree this week,” a spokesman for animal rights organization Animal Aid told the PA news agency over the weekend. Other groups also strongly condemned the event.

The race was overshadowed by the deaths of three horses after falls and by mass protests. One horse died on Thursday and two more on Saturday.

Some activists also climbed fences and gained access to the racecourse, where they clung to obstacles. More than 100 people have been provisionally arrested, according to Merseyside Police in Liverpool.

The steeplechase race has been heavily criticized by animal rights activists for decades, despite the hurdles being made less arduous and the number of entrants reduced, as numerous jockeys have suffered heavy falls with their horses and animals over the years.

According to the organization League Against Cruel Sports, 62 horses have died in Aintree since 2000. Animal rights activists at Peta UK said the race is one of the longest and most dangerous in the world and its high risk factor is part of why it has become so famous.

The British Horseracing Authority defended itself: they are constantly improving conditions and working on each case to learn from it. (dpa) (aargauerzeitung.ch)