Animals shouldn’t die for amusement

Regarding the Omak “Killer” Race: Let’s not mince words, let’s call this race exactly what it is – a killer race, not a suicide race.

Elvis, the horse that was killed, did not have to die. He was killed by a thoughtless, uncaring rider whose only concern was to get to the bottom of the hill and to the finish line faster than the other uncaring irresponsible riders. If these big brave men are so inclined to plunge down a 210-foot hill at an almost vertical 62-degree angle, then by all means let them do so, but not with a horse beneath them!

What a sick and disgusting tradition Omak has become known for.

I listened to John Carlson’s KVI Radio Show recently to hear a discussion on the “Suicide Race” and was pleased to hear several callers and two animal activists who were his guests express the same feeling of outrage that I feel about this barbaric “sport.” I listened with sadness and disbelief at the moronic, Neanderthal mentality of those callers who consider this cruel display to be fun and exciting.

Millions of years upon this earth and we’ve learned little when it comes to showing compassion to animals.

This beautiful animal and the 11 horses who have been killed since 1983, did not need to forfeit their lives to entertain a jeering, screaming crowd who place little or no value on an animals’ life.

Have we become so callous that we aren’t capable of understanding the fear these horses feel as they’re falling and slamming into each other? Or do we simply not care?

Animals are sentient beings. They are capable of feeling and perceiving. They were not put here for our entertainment, nor exploitation, yet we continue to do both without conscience or remorse. Just how many animals have to die before we are happily entertained?

Everett