Using a whip on a horse is against the law
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.
In some cases, jockeys are censured by racing authorities for "overuse" of the whip but they are not prosecuted for what is a breach of the law.
It is time for the law to be applied across the board.
Aileen Yourell
Irish Council Against Blood Sports
PO Box 88
Mullingar
Co Westmeath.
