VIEWPOINT / LETTERS : Subject of Slaughter Touches a Nerve for Many Readers

Your article, “They’re Dying at the Finish” (Dec. 23) by Jody Berger, was a finely written piece which addressed a subject that deserves recognition. There is no excuse for the inhumane conditions referred to in the article. However, to place this as part of a series entitled, “The Business of Horse Racing,” is misleading and deceptive. The clear implication is that thoroughbred owners and trainers are callous, uncaring individuals with no compassion whatsoever for the animals that perform in their sport.

I was the managing partner of Ten Star Stable who claimed Proud Duke on June 18, 1983, and proudly raced him for approximately one year. Unfortunately, he suffered a crippling injury and we sent him to a local farm for recuperation, even though we knew he would never race again. He was still hobbling, so I had him shipped to a lady who owned a ranch in Malibu who felt she could better care for him. He responded magnificently to her care. I ran into the lady 1 1/2 years ago and she informed me that Proud Duke was doing wonderfully.

I was totally sickened to find his name at the forefront of your article. What the article fails to mention, however, is the fact that there was over seven years of good care from the time that Proud Duke’s racing career ended until he met his demise.

RICHARD M. HOFFMAN

Manhattan Beach

* I am a thoroughbred owner and breeder in addition to being a horseman with several riding horses. I read in complete disgust the so-called “Second in a Series” on The Business of Horse Racing (Dec. 23). I guess I just don’t understand the point. What does the slaughter of livestock through the USDA have to do with the business of horse racing? Moreover, what does the actual subject matter have to do with sports?

I have never met anyone in the sport of thoroughbred racing that does not truly love the animal above anything else. I assure you a very strong bonding with the animal is achieved. At the end of its career, the absolute effort is made to find the animal a permanent home to enjoy the rest of its life.

STEVE SHAPIRO

Hacienda Heights

*

The article, “They’re Dying at the Finish,” made me sick. It’s a sad excuse when people justify destruction of animals with the bottom line of a balance sheet.

The description of how these beautiful horses are herded into trucks and brought to the slaughterhouse should have a familiar ring to anyone who has any knowledge of the Holocaust of World War II. Is it any wonder that our society is seemingly inured to the violence that is inflicted upon others all over the world? It seems the perpetration of cruelty will always be tolerated as long as too many people don’t make too much noise about it. Whether it’s unspeakable acts against animals or humans, it’s just another form of “the final solution,” isn’t it?

BETTINA MOSS

Los Angeles

*

I found your Dec. 23 article entitled, “They’re Dying at the Finish,” appalling and heartbreaking. Why doesn’t the state intervene and stop such cruelties? After all, it receives a double bonanza in revenues, first from the racing industry and later from the subsequent slaughter of these animals. It’s ironic to see how these majestic creatures are exploited both in life and death by the state and the racing industry. Why is the state looking the other way pretending like nothing is happening?

MARIA DIESTMANN

Pasadena

*

The article about the slaughtering of horses disgusted me. Why are humans so inhumane to all species? They are cruel to themselves as well as all animals. All that race horses, which are so ignominiously carted to meat-packing plants, have ever done is serve at the whim of their masters.

WALLACE R. DANIELSON

San Diego

*

Contrary to the impression given by the article, “They’re Dying at the Finish,” there are many people involved in thoroughbred racing doing whatever they can to keep thoroughbreds from slaughter. The author erred in stating that California Thoroughbred Sales (CTS) has a baseline price of $500--the fact is that CTS’ parent company, the California Thoroughbred Breeders Assn. (CTBA), in an attempt to keep race horses from being sold for slaughter, early in 1993 raised its baseline price to $1,000.

NATHANIEL B. WESS

Executive Vice President

and General Manager, CTBA