Backstreet Bully’s story shows food inspections in dire need of reform
Many horses headed for slaughter thanks to province’s shortsightedness – but what are the consequences for meat eaters?
By Kate Harries AWARE News Network March 31 2013
This is my personal reaction to the Toronto Star article on Backstreet Bully.
Thanks to Mary Ormsby and Dale Brazao for a thorough investigation into a heartbreaking situation that played out right here in Simcoe County.
Backstreet Bully was a racehorse, part of the Stronach stable, retired in 2008, and put up for sale with this description: He is a solid loving horse with tons of puppy dog personality. He’s got a great sound mind, willing attitude and is very well mannered; he just loves to be loved. He has been ridden both english and western walk, trot, canter and hacks out quietly both alone and with company… Backstreet Bully will make an excellent pleasure horse. He has no vices or bad habits. He trailers, cross ties, clips and is never a problem for the vet or blacksmith.
He was purchased by an Oro riding stable. From there he went to a good home in Apto and was sold in January to a Wyebridge horse dealer for the best of reasons, his owners willing to take him back if a new owner wasn’t found. Instead, he was sent to auction, sold to a kill buyer and trucked to a Quebec abattoir.
A non-profit horse rescuer as well as his former owner at Stronach’s Aurora farm tried to save him but their efforts were foiled.
The worst part however is not the sad end of a trusting and biddable companion. The truth is that Backstreet Bully like all racehorses had, during and after his career, been injected with a cocktail of toxins that are potentially deadly to humans.
So how can there be any possibility of such meat entering our food chain? And don’t think you are safe because you don’t eat horse. There have been too many stories recently of mislabelled foods, not just in Europe.
This starts with Ottawa – write your MP who is in charge of this horrendous situation and can fix it if enough of us tell them we will not tolerate it any longer.
And, complain to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency – toxic meat should not be going into any food chain (I can’t believe I’m actually having to make such a statement!).
And, write a letter to your local newspaper – it’s the least we can do to honour Backstreet Bully and all the animals with great heart who give us such joy.
And, let’s not forget the Ontario government that has plunged the racing industry in this province into a state of despair.
The province ended the slots-at-racetrack revenue sharing, which transferred $345 million of gaming revenues to the racetracks, which then generated in $1.1 million in tax revenues for the government. March 26, Premier Kathleen Wynne announced transition funding for Georgian Downs, Flamboro and Fort Erie – details of the new arrangement to be fleshed out, but the horse industry will be “smaller,” Wynne said.
How much sense does that make? Get in touch with your MPP and ask for a return to revenue sharing that puts money into the public purse.
As rural Ontario reels, the shift in focus from racetrack to casino at Ontario Lottery Gaming has provoked a lobbyist feeding frenzy. The headlines are of the millions to be made, not the lives ruined by this destructive industry
Sadly, this year, on the back roads around the province there are thousands of horses – retired horses, fit and willing horses, brood mares and new-born foals – all of which may never see another spring. Their future ends at a Quebec abattoir because of government thoughtlessness and negligence.
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