The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Opinion We need new strategies to protect horses

February 21, 2024 at 4:02 p.m. EST
Spectators watch a quarter horse race on July 17, 2022, at a bush track in Milner, Ga. (The Washington Post)

The Feb. 19 Sports article “After bush track raid fizzled, horses kept dying” was an accurate accounting of the horrors of “bush tracks” and the challenges they present to investigation and prosecution.

Sign up for the Prompt 2024 newsletter for opinions on the biggest questions in politics

As the article reported, bush track racing operates in the shadows. The illegal races are publicized on social media and take place on out-of-the-way tracks. There are no guardrails to protect the welfare of the horses, jockeys and spectators. These illegal venues serve up a smorgasbord of crimes — none of which organized, legal racing condones. From doped, abused horses to illegal drug distribution, money laundering and trafficking, all are unfortunately common.

Educating law enforcement is crucial to combat this criminal activity. The American Horse Council has been in contact with the National Sheriffs’ Association and the National Association of Attorneys General to inform and request assistance in putting these criminals out of business. Unfortunately, we cannot mediate the turf wars among enforcement agencies. The situation in Georgia was a lost opportunity.

Let’s hope there can be a coherent, cooperative strategy before a new season of illegal racing begins. Our law enforcement agencies have done a stellar job with combating dog fighting; we are hopeful they can achieve the same success to protect these magnificent animals.

Julie M. Broadway, Washington

The writer is president of the American Horse Council.