06/05/2022
This is Jet. He was a 17-year-old ex-racehorse who had won $40,000 for his owners. A gentle, affectionate gelding, he was allegedly left to starve to death for over 12 months, with the RSPCA allegedly aware the entire time. He was so malnourished and hungry he was eating his own faeces.
Two weeks ago, he was surrendered to charitable horse rescue Hunter Horse Haven Inc. Rehabilitation, Rehoming & Sanctuary, where an independent vet assessed him as having a body score of zero out of ten. Deb and a team of dedicated volunteers at Hunter Horse Haven stayed with Jet around the clock, showering him in love and fighting hard to save his life with food and veterinary care. Sadly, Jet didn’t make it. The chronic starvation and neglect he endured had taken its toll on his poor heart, and he died surrounded by the people who tried so hard to save him.
Jet’s story is not unique. He is just one of thousands of victims of the cruel horse racing industry that exploits horses and reject and neglect them when they stop making money. That’s why I’ve introduced a bill to protect NSW racehorses from the worst practices of the industry. Please sign the petition to support my bill here:
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/support-our-bill-to-protect-racehorses
We also know the RSPCA is clearly not equipped to protect animals like Jet. It’s a crime that a charitable organisation reliant on donations is made to enforce animal cruelty legislation, particularly when they have to work with animal exploitation industries at the same time. That’s why the AJP is calling for the establishment of an Independent Office of Animal Protection. Sign the petition to support the IOAP here:
https://nsw.animaljusticeparty.org/ioap
I want to thank Darren Brollo Animal Justice Party NSW Lead Senate Candidate (pictured here) for taking on Jet’s fight while I was in New Zealand and for speaking out in the media about the cruelty of horse racing and the failure of NSW’s animal protection systems. Most of all, I want to thank Deb and all her volunteers at Hunter Horse Haven for trying so hard to save Jet and for showing him love and compassion in his final days. We will keep fighting for Jet and every horse like him.
