The Animal Party announced that it is pushing for the creation of a shelter for retired racehorses.
After about a year of exploring the idea and meetings with a number of groups and organisations some initial steps toward the goal have already been made.
“This effort of ours is based on there being no provision or any legal adjustment either by the Cyprus Turf Club or the Nicosia Race Club or even the horse owners’ association to regulate their responsibility as regards welfare and protection of these horses,” the party said in a statement.
It added that the organisations have agreed to the proposal it presented to them for the creation of a horse shelter as they ought to be able to offer a comfortable old age to these “proud and strong animals that are made to star in races generating tens of thousands of euros in bets”.
“We believe that it is unacceptable and criminal that these horses that have offered so much, but for some reason are no longer fit for races, to be abandoned or be with owners who don’t care or even murder them,” the party said.
The party added that with assistance from the Tamassos Bishopric and the community council of Politiko it has found a piece of state land in Politiko to house the animals. It has also asked for help from the Hellenic Society for Equine Welfare, which has successfully cared for thousands of horses in the 11 years of its existence.
“We hope that the horses of the Cypriot race truck will receive similar care after the implementation of this project,” the party said.
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