NORTH RANDALL, Ohio — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) announced it had purchased stock in the parent company of JACK Thistledown Racino in North Randall in an attempt to get into the boardroom and make a case for ending horse racing at the facility.
According to PETA, the organization purchased stock in Vici Properties, Inc., which is the parent company to JACK Thistledown Racino, as well as Penn National Gaming, Inc. and Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc., allowing them to address their concerns with six different racetracks across the country.
The organization said that more than three horses die on North American tracks each day and said medication is overly used to keep injured horses racing rather than letting them rest and heal.
Among the proposed changes PETA plans to bring to the attention of the racetracks, including JACK Thistledown Racino, are replacing dirt tracks with high-quality synthetic tracks, banning trainers who have multiple medication violations and banning whipping.
A full list of 11 proposed changes can be found here.
PETA said it made the decision to buy stock in order to have their proposed changes taken directly to the boardrooms of these racetracks.
"Track owners in California and Kentucky are changing their rules and sparing horses a gruesome death, and every track owner in every racing state needs to do the same," says PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo. "PETA is eager to get inside the boardroom and push JACK Thistledown Racino to make simple changes that will make a world of difference for vulnerable horses."
Other race tracks and racinos that PETA will be targeting, in addition to JACK Thistledown Racino include:
- Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort and Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in West Virginia
- Belterra Park Gaming and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course in Ohio
- Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino and Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel in Louisiana
- Retama Park and Sam Houston Race Park in Texas
- Zia Park Casino Hotel & Racetrack in New Mexico
- Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Pennsylvania
News 5 has reached out to JACK Thistledown Racino for comment regarding PETA's recent actions. We are waiting to hear back.
