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Official Statement from the ASPCA July 12, 2005 To Whom It May Concern: Having reviewed videotape and reports covering over ten years of the annual “Omak Suicide Race” in Omak, Washington, I can only conclude that there is no moral justification for continuing this event. A tangle of horses galloping down a 62 degree slope into a river is inherently dangerous. Over the last twenty years there have been twenty documented horse deaths. The comment by the mayor of Omak after three horses died last year that “They live with the knowledge that this can happen” does not apply to the equine victims. When he said “it’s a tragedy, but it’s part of the race” he was right on both counts. A race with tragedy as an integral part should be ended once and for all. It is one thing to preserve traditions or commemorate acts of courage in the history of a people, but this staged spectacle, putting horses and humans at grave risk year after year for entertainment and profit, is an abomination. This is a blight on the organizers, promoters, participants and willing spectators, and no credit to horsemanship or anyone’s culture. It is the reckless infliction of terror, pain, exhaustion, suffering, and death on an animal that has been our faithful partner and companion through the ages. Sincerely, Dr. Andrew G. Lang ASPCA Director of Equine Programs |
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