Hundreds, possibly thousands, of Australian health racehorses are reportedly being sent to the slaughterhouse each year, contradicting industry claims the number was only 34.
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Racing Australia's official data shows around 34 horses every year end up at slaughterhouses - a figure amounting to less than one per cent of retiring racehorses.
But ABC's 7.30 program has reported the number is much, much higher.So while racing's peak body has rules requiring the registration and tracking of horses from their birth to their retirement, many are still being killed in slaughterhouses on a weekly basis.
Elio Celotto from the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses told the broadcaster about 4000 racehorses had been killed in one abattoir alone.
Animal welfare and behaviour scientist Professor Paul McGreevy said there was no way the racing industry could defend the behaviour.
"This is a clear breach of everything the industry has told us," he said.
The investigation also aired accusations of multiple instances of animal cruelty at the slaughterhouses racehorses are being sent to.
Racing NSW CEO Peter V'landys said he was not aware of any NSW racehorses being sent to slaughterhouses.
However, he said if it is occurring the state body would "put the full force of the law" against offenders.
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