Date Posted: 07 Nov 2006
Streaker protests against Cup
A STREAKING animal liberationist has been ejected from Sydney's Randwick racecourse and will face court for offensive behaviour.
The woman, in her 30s, ran naked across the racecourse at 2pm "in some sort of anti-horse racing protest", Maroubra Police Inspector Eddie Bosch said.
"The woman was streaking around the racecourse area and was taken into custody by police where she was clothed and given a field court attendance notice for offensive behaviour," Insp Bosch said.
The woman had HorseRacingKills.org written on her in red paint.
A statement issued by Animal Liberation NSW said the stunt was aimed at drawing attention to what it said was the widespread mistreatment of racehorses and rejected racehorses.
The action was part of a national campaign and came as Australians gathered at Randwick and around Australia ahead of the Melbourne Cup, the nation's most famous race.
The Animal Liberation NSW statement said 18,000 foals were bred by the racing industry but 70 per cent of those were rejected.
"Most of the rejects will be slaughtered or abandoned to an existence of neglect and suffering," the statement said.
"Most horses are confined to a stall for up to 22 hours a day."
It said 90 per cent of race horses suffered ulcers and bleeding in the lungs as a result of stress and an unnatural feeding regime.
The arrested woman is due to appear at Waverley Local Court on November 22.
