Posted on the 8th January 2008
On 12 December, jockey Edward 'Eddie' Ahern whipped his horse, Marsam, with such frequency and excessive force that weals appeared on the Thoroughbred's flesh.
Such was the extent of the beating and the unusual circumstances surrounding the offence that the jockey was reported to the British Horseracing Authority’s (BHA) Disciplinary Panel, which found him guilty of bringing racing into disrepute – the first time such a judgment has been reached in relation to an incident occurring on a racecourse itself. Ahern was found to have deliberately breached whip regulations in order to trigger a ban early in the year, before major races. It is a particularly cold, self-serving and calculated form of cruelty towards an animal. Animal Aid has written to Nottinghamshire Police Chiefs pressing for a prosecution of Ahern under the Animal Welfare Act, 2006 on two counts:
The evidence used by the BHA in their disciplinary proceedings contains key evidence that could be used to proceed with a prosecution. This includes photographs, video footage and veterinarians’ reports. We will keep you informed with the progress of the case.
Charlotte Dujardin, a dressage champion for Team GB, has withdrawn from the 2024 Paris Olympics. This is due to recently-surfaced footage, taken four years ago of her whipping a horse repeatedly around the legs.
Posted 24 Jul 2024
On the 22nd of July, we celebrate Animal Law Day, an important opportunity to reflect on the advancements made in animal protection legislation and reaffirm our commitment to advocating for the rights of animals.
Posted 22 Jul 2024
