A Canadian Family

Reader Reactions to Quebec Horse Racing: sport or animal cruelty?

A few days ago I wrote a post called  Quebec Horse Racing: “a sport offering colour and excitement” or animal cruelty?. Reader reactions were so thoughtful that I was compelled to pull them out of hiding and into the light of day; so here they are!

Sheila from A Postcard A Day

“I hadn’t realised that racing was lessening in popularity in Canada, because I haven’t noticed any decline in popularity in the UK, though I have heard the arguments.

I read an interesting article in the New Scientist which touched more or less on the same subject. Apparently medical scientists, hoping to help chronic pain in humans, have considered the possibility of breeding pain-free animals, and a philosopher has suggested it’s the way to go because factory farming is needed to produce the amount of food we need. The idea makes me shudder. Unfortunately the discussion was hijacked by vegetarians and became very heated.

Your commenters have said much as I would – all animals deserve decent treatment, whether they are cuddly or not. Do you suppose we are guilty of allowing these feelings arise by the anthropomorphic treatment of animals in children’s stories? It seems a shame to deprive them of Mrs. Tiggywinkle and friends.”  (Further Reading: New Scientist …)

Snap from Twisty Lane
“Interesting postcards. Yes, animals should have rights … they were on this earth long before *man*

Christine from The Daily Postcard
“Evelyn, You pose such good questions. There are many people who would not eat rabbit (because they are cute bunnies), but will eat cows, who probably suffer more. We definitely treat cute animals better. Octopus are incredibly intelligent and sensitive animals, but we do not run to protect them. I don’t appreciate the damage that mice do, but I would never use one of those incredibly cruel glue traps. I think we need to see beyond the cuteness of animals and avoid cruelty. Sorry to run on… (Evelyn says  – this blogger loves comments, please feel free to run on 24/7!)

postcardy from Postcardy: the Postcard Explorer

“They have a right to humane treatment, but there are differences of opinion about what that means. “

Beth from The Best Hearts Are Crunchy

“So sad that when they’ve run their prime, they are slaughtered. Old horses should take it easy in some wonderful pasture where the daisies grow, where they are pampered and brushed.”

October 19, 2009 - Posted by Evelyn Yvonne Theriault | . | animal cruelty, animal rights, horse racing, race track