New York Racing Assn. announces new policy to protect retired racehorses from slaughter

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The New York Racing Assn. is calling for harsh penalties for horsemen who directly or indirectly sell a horse for slaughter.

The policy announced by the NYRA today also asks horsemen to support horse rescue, adoption initiatives and to find humane ways of dealing with horses unable to continue racing.

Owners or trainers would have their stalls permanently revoked from NYRA tracks Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga if it is determined their horses ended up being sold for slaughter.

The policy comes several months after New York horse-breeder Ernie Paragallo was banned from racing when 177 malnourished horses were discovered at his upstate farm. Paragallo was arraigned in August on 35 counts of animal cruelty.

-- Associated Press