Here Comes The PETA Police

Saturday's Kentucky Derby was amazing for two reasons. It was the amazing win for Big Brown and the tragic end for Eight Belles.
Eight Belles was the only fillie in the race and while she came on strong at the end, she may have came on too strong and once she crossed the finish line, she collapsed and broke both of her front ankles. And, because the injuries were so severe Eight Belles was euthanized.
Now, the folks at PETA, People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals, or the animal insane ones, are using the tragedy to assault horse racing as they are going to protest at the upcoming Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Maryland in one week"http://www.nypost.com/seven/05062008/sports/peta_puts_sport_to_the_test_109652.htm">PETA.
Horse racing is no different from other sports in which there is always a real risk of injury and yes, even death.
It was a tragedy what happened to Eight Belles but it should be noted that the Thoroughbred horse racing has improved the treatment of the horses that race.
After all, it is an investment and why would the investor(s) want to have a horse race that would be injured and eventually euthanized?
The problem with PETA is that it is an extremist animal "rights" group rather than a group that wants to prevent real cruelty to animals. PETA equates animals with humans. In fact, many PETA fanatics would put animals ahead of humans. That is why whenever they stick their tiresome noses into so-called animal "rights" issues, it should be instantly discredited because they are so extreme.
Horse racing is very regulated and not anywhere cruel as Greyhound dog racing. There are few regulations and it is know to be very abusive to the greyhound. There is a reason why there are greyhound rescue groups.
So, while the demise of Eight Belles is a tragedy, do not take the PETA protests seriously. The ASPCA would be the kind of group to take seriously for they are a serious group.
And, go Big Brown!