Using a whip on a horse is against the law

WE fully agree with racing pundit John McCririck, who has roundly condemned the use of the whip in horseracing.

During RTÉ's Tubridy Show last Saturday night, Mr McCririck appealed to the people of Ireland "the most horse-loving nation on earth" to "put a stop to this obscenity once and for all". His appeal was greeted with loud applause from the studio audience.

The 1911 Protection of Animals Act states that it is an offence to beat an animal. Yet, for some inexplicable and inexcusable reason, horses can be beaten during racing, in contravention of animal welfare legislation.