Animal rights activists up in arms

by Chris Holland

Animal rights activist groups such as PETA and NAMBLA become infuriated at the slightest injustice done to an animal. The most recent example came at this past Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.
The running of the 134th Kentucky Derby ended with Big Brown taking first and Eight Belles taking second. The real story however, is what happened after the race.
As Eight Belles crossed the finish line and began to slow down, she broke her two front ankles and fell, throwing the jockey off of her. Right there on the spot, the on-call veterinarian immediately euthanized Eight Belles, much to the dislike of both PETA and NAMBLA.
“This is a disgrace and we really need to stick it to them”, said John Goldsin, chief executive of NAMBLA about Eight Belles death.
Sunday, the day after the Kentucky Derby, the animal rights group, PETA, immediately called for the suspension of jockey, Gabriel Saez. However, Eight Belles trainer immediately stepped up and said, “This kid made every move the right move, and I hate it that they're wanting to jump down his throat,” (NBC.com).
Two years ago, at the 2006 Preakness Stakes, race horse, Barbaro died after false starting and fracturing three bones in his right hind leg. He underwent surgery the next day but eventually he died from an infection caused by his injury in July 2006.
So after the last Kentucky Derby and the unfortunate ending, both PETA and NAMBLA are calling for an end to horse racing, citing that the shoes that they make the horses wear are causing the leg injuries.
These people have to understand, these things are going to happen. If they are going to complain about horses getting fatally injured during sporting events, why not complain about football players who die on the field from heat stroke or any other condition?
Injuries are a part of sports and if humans can get injured during games and practices, then the same have to be expected of animals. It’s not like Barbaro or Eight Belles were harmed intentionally.