ANIMAL welfare activists have vowed to target South Australian Racing Minister Tom Kenyon after he used cock-fighting as a comparison to dismiss accusations that hurdle races were cruel.
But Mr Kenyon said he stood by his comments to The Australian and invited "radical" protesters to target his office at any time. "I think they're a bunch of radical animal liberationists trying to whip up a campaign against a perfectly legitimate form of racing," he said yesterday.
Mr Kenyon, who is also Road Safety Minister, likened claims of increased horse deaths to statistical blips in the road toll.
Animals Australia executive director Glenys Oogjes said Mr Kenyon had only increased protesters' resolve to ensure the sport was "consigned to history".
"Cock-fighting is wrong, but so is jumps racing," she said. "It has certainly enraged our supporters that he could make those statements. There will be more protesters each week at every jumps race."
The next race is scheduled today in Moe, southeast of Melbourne.
Melbourne University animal welfare expert Siobhan O'Sullivan said South Australia and Victoria were isolating themselves as "unsophisticated states".
"The fact that they are prepared to allow horses to fall and die for entertainment suggests a lack of maturity and empathy," she said.
Thoroughbred Racing SA chairwoman Frances Nelson QC said the industry constantly reviewed the safety of racing courses, and there was evidence protesters were being paid $50 to $100 through groups funded by animal rights group PETA.
Ms Oogjes denied any link with PETA and said protesters were volunteers.
But Mr Kenyon said he stood by his comments to The Australian and invited "radical" protesters to target his office at any time. "I think they're a bunch of radical animal liberationists trying to whip up a campaign against a perfectly legitimate form of racing," he said yesterday.
Mr Kenyon, who is also Road Safety Minister, likened claims of increased horse deaths to statistical blips in the road toll.
Animals Australia executive director Glenys Oogjes said Mr Kenyon had only increased protesters' resolve to ensure the sport was "consigned to history".
"Cock-fighting is wrong, but so is jumps racing," she said. "It has certainly enraged our supporters that he could make those statements. There will be more protesters each week at every jumps race."
The next race is scheduled today in Moe, southeast of Melbourne.
Melbourne University animal welfare expert Siobhan O'Sullivan said South Australia and Victoria were isolating themselves as "unsophisticated states".
"The fact that they are prepared to allow horses to fall and die for entertainment suggests a lack of maturity and empathy," she said.
Thoroughbred Racing SA chairwoman Frances Nelson QC said the industry constantly reviewed the safety of racing courses, and there was evidence protesters were being paid $50 to $100 through groups funded by animal rights group PETA.
Ms Oogjes denied any link with PETA and said protesters were volunteers.
No comments:
Post a Comment