PETA-Backed Equine Legislation Introduced in California

California Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) introduced state legislation Feb. 11 backed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Social Compassion in Legislation that calls for equine welfare and medication reform and stiff penalties for trainers of fatally injured horses. 

"If the state is to continue to sanction horse racing and its wagering as a legal sport, addressing horse fatalities to the greatest extent possible needs to take precedence. (The legislation) tackles the practices that can lead to broken bones and death, including the misuse of medication, running horses with pre-existing injuries, utilizing unsafe racing surfaces, and more," said Assembly member Kalra in a press release distributed by his office and PETA. "I look forward to working with the state regulators and all those working in the horse racing industry to enact bold action to protect both horses and jockeys."

Titled the Equine Welfare and Safety in Horse Racing Act, act AB 2177 is just one piece of proposed equine legislation California lawmakers are considering. An alternative is a bill introduced last month by Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa), who chairs the Senate Governmental Organization Committee, which sets policy for the horse racing industry in the state.

According to the release, AB 2177 mandates the use of CT scan equipment for screening horses; requires an onsite central pharmacy at the major tracks to control medication use and prevent abuse, and prohibits veterinarians from carrying medications onto the track; prohibits veterinarians from prescribing medications for anything other than the diagnosed condition; requires the suspension—pending an investigation—of a trainer's license when a horse dies; and authorizes the California Horse Racing Board to suspend or revoke a trainer's license for repeat violations of medication regulations.

"We are reviewing (this bill) and discussing with industry partners," said Aidan Butler, chief strategy officer and acting executive director of California racing operations for The Stronach Group, which operates Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields in the state. "We have been at the forefront of effective reform and look forward to communicating any concerns directly with the author of the bill."

Whether AB 2177 gains any traction is another matter.

"This, more than likely, isn't going to be the vehicle for votes in the California legislature," said Greg Avioli, president and CEO of the Thoroughbred Owners of California. "Kalra is not a member of the (Governmental Organization) Committee ... The chairman of that committee, Adam Gray, is co-author of a separate horse welfare bill with the chairman of the (Governmental Organization) Committee in the Senate, Bill Dodd. So it's the Gray/Dodd Bill that is most certainly going to be the vehicle that goes to the legislature if any vehicle goes to the legislature."

Dodd spearheaded legislation last year, co-authored by Gray and others and eventually signed into law by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, which gave the California Horse Racing Board the authority to halt a meet when they view hazardous conditions as existing.

Earlier this year, Dodd introduced Senate Bill 800, which followed recommendations of the CHRB and those of Los Angeles district attorney Jackie Lacey, whose staff had scrutinized a spike in racehorse deaths at Santa Anita Park in 2019, the highest rate occurring in the first quarter of the year.

"We're actively working with Senator Dodd and Chairman Gray and the CHRB on what horse reform welfare legislation could look like in their committees," Avioli said. "Those have been very positive discussions."

A release from Kalra cited 37 horse fatalities occurring at Santa Anita last year and more throughout the state, a figure not limited to incidents during racing. Many other jurisdictions across the country only count racing-related fatalities as a basis for analyzing safety.

An official report from the CHRB listed 144 fatalities at racetracks or training centers over its fiscal year that covered July 1, 2018- June 30, 2019—though the CHRB tally includes horses dying from ailments not exclusive to horses on the racetrack, such as from colic. A total of 107 fatalities were classified as coming from racing or training. 

"The fatalities must end. We must have zero tolerance for horse racing deaths,” said Judie Mancuso, CEO and founder of Social Compassion in Legislation. 

The pace of fatalities in the state slowed last year after initiatives were undertaken by tracks, the CHRB, and the Governor's office.

"We have put in a very large number of substantial reforms that became largely in effect last June," Avioli said. "Now, here we are in February. The early returns are that it has been effective. We've seen substantial reductions in serious injuries. Let's take a look at how these reforms work and give them some time. Then based on a reasonable data set, decide if further reforms need to be taken."