PETA Asks Bucks County DA to Investigate Jockey in Horse-Whipping Incident
Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn and the Bucks County SPCA have been asked by animal advocate PETA to investigate a horse whipping that took place after the horse won a race at Parx Casino in Bensalem.
The jockey, Paco Lopez, reportedly whipped his horse, 2-year-old National Law, on the neck after crossing the finish line Dec. 3, writes Jess Rohan for the Bucks County Courier Times.
The action was taken after the horse veered off course in the stretch, though it still won by 1-1/4 lengths. It was the horse’s third race ever.
The jockey publicly apologized the same day but was suspended indefinitely over the incident Dec. 5 by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. He has been suspended at least five times since 2019 for a variety of infractions.
According to HISA’s ruling portal, Lopez has 10 violations for excessive whip use over the past 24 months. A rider is allowed to strike a horse six times during a race.
PETA wants to see if the incident violated animal cruelty laws. The case has been referred to the district attorney for evaluation.
“It’s very concerning to us, so we would certainly take action if necessary,” said Bucks SPCA communications officer Cindy Kelly.
Read more about the incident in phillyburbs.com.
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