NEWS
PETA calls for investigation of Gill’s vets
Posted: Friday, February 05, 2010 5:23 PM
People for Ethical Treatment of Animals has submitted a letter to the Pennsylvania Board of Veterinary Medicine asking for an investigation of the veterinarians who treat Michael Gill’s stable.
PETA is responding to controversy from two recent breakdowns of Gill’s horses at Penn National Race Course, which prompted jockeys and horsemen there to threaten to not compete in races in which he has an entry, citing safety concerns.
The Pennsylvania Racing Commission ejected Gill from racing at the Grantville, Pennsylvania, track, claiming his participation would disrupt the orderly conduct of live racing. Gill said he will disperse his stable.
Gill owned five horses who were listed in official charts as breaking down during races at Penn National in 2009 and January 2010.
PETA claims ten of Gill’s horses broke down at Penn National during that period. In a press release, the organization does not indicate a source for the statistic.
“Healthy, sound horses don’t suffer catastrophic breakdowns this frequently,” said Ingrid Newkirk, PETA’s president. “The state veterinary board needs to ask the veterinarians who are treating Gill’s horses some tough questions.”
