The Suicide Race

[Minnie_Beebe]

I was watching Sports Disasters on TLC tonight and happened to come across a yearly race titled "The Suicide Race" in Omak, WA.

I couldn't believe my eyes as several dozen horses with riders came down a cliff.

Omak is a small town of a few more than 4,000 people, in many ways typical of rural communities in Eastern Washington: streets named Apple Avenue, Cherry Avenue, Riverside Drive; a Walmart; a high school whose best attribute is pride. But Omak is atypical of other towns in the 509 area code, where folks place equines at the top of the farm-animal pyramid. Omak's main attraction regularly, routinely kills horses.

http://www.paws.org/work/factsheet/pics/omak2.jpgThe Suicide Race starts just off East Bartlett Avenue, atop Suicide Hill, on land owned by the City of Omak. With a 120-foot running start, as many as 20 riders send their horses plunging 210 feet downhill, at a slope Stampede organizers have boasted is an "almost verticle (sic)…62 degree angle." More than a football field of water awaits them, the may-be-deep, may-be-shallow Okanogan River. After a sprint of roughly 500 feet more on Colville Indian land, surviving horses and riders enter Stampede Arena in hopes of collecting the race's meager prizes.

http://www.paws.org/work/factsheet/pics/omak1.jpgThe Suicide Race began in the brain of Claire Pentz, owner of a furniture store and publicity chairman for the Stampede, in 1935. The Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) began its campaign against the Suicide Race in the mid-1980s, not coincidentally when the rate of injury and death to Suicide Race horses became much better documented. Prior to PAWS' involvement, the damage done by the race to its equine participants was closely guarded. Race officials still try to deflect the glare of negative publicity, a dodge they are finding increasingly impossible. The death of Deuce following the Friday night running of the Suicide Race in 1998 brought dozens of media calls to the PAWS switchboard.
http://www.paws.org/work/factsheet/advocacyfactsheets/omak.html

Why is this barbaric "sport" still going on?

[mom2burgess]

I watched the same thing, and while I don't like it, the participents are all American Indians and claim it to be part of their heratidge, which is why it is still going on.

[kingclick]

It's still going on because people have a right to do what they will to themselves and their property. It's sad and depressing but living in America all people have their rights.

[April]

But there are laws that should protect these animals. At the risk of sounding like a cheesy 1970's bumper sticker, animals have rights too.

[Minnie_Beebe]

^ My sentiments exactly.

I realize this is a NA tradition (only since the '30's though). These animals have rights. If someone wants to run down a hill (like those guys who run with tree logs) on their own, fine, but why include innocent animals.

[kingclick]

^ My sentiments exactly.

I realize this is a NA tradition (only since the '30's though). These animals have rights. If someone wants to run down a hill (like those guys who run with tree logs) on their own, fine, but why include innocent animals.
Actually they don't have those rights.

[GracieMae]

Yes, it is a NA tradition. No, I do not agree with it :(

[April]

Actually they don't have those rights.

Who doesn't? The animals?

According to this, they do.

REVISED CODE OF WASHINGTON
TITLE 16. ANIMALS, ESTRAYS, BRANDS AND FENCES
CHAPTER 16.52. PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
16.52.205. Animal cruelty in the first degree

A person is guilty of animal cruelty in the first degree when, except as authorized in law, he or she intentionally (a) inflicts substantial pain on, (b) causes physical injury to, or (c) kills an animal by a means causing undue suffering, or forces a minor to inflict unnecessary pain, injury, or death on an animal.

Animal cruelty in the first degree is a class C felony.

[kingclick]

Who doesn't? The animals?

According to this, they do.

REVISED CODE OF WASHINGTON
TITLE 16. ANIMALS, ESTRAYS, BRANDS AND FENCES
CHAPTER 16.52. PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
16.52.205. Animal cruelty in the first degree

A person is guilty of animal cruelty in the first degree when, except as authorized in law, he or she intentionally (a) inflicts substantial pain on, (b) causes physical injury to, or (c) kills an animal by a means causing undue suffering, or forces a minor to inflict unnecessary pain, injury, or death on an animal.

Animal cruelty in the first degree is a class C felony.
Also known as a rodeo, horse race, dog race or zoo. If you read it that way....

But the reality is that they are not INTENTIONALLY inflicting pain. Many of the horses do not die or even end up injured. They are not fitting the description of INTENTIONAL. It's incidental.

[April]

Also known as a rodeo, horse race, dog race or zoo. If you read it that way....

But the reality is that they are not INTENTIONALLY inflicting pain. Many of the horses do not die or even end up injured. They are not fitting the description of INTENTIONAL. It's incidental.

There is no intention to inflict harm in zoos or rodeos, nor is there any evidence of a total disregard for the animal's safety in those places.

These men are jumping horses off of a cliff being fully aware of the potential to cause harm. They are doing nothing to ensure the safety of the animals.

[April]

Fine...give 'em second degree then.

16.52.207. Animal cruelty in the second degree

(1) A person is guilty of animal cruelty in the second degree if, under circumstances not amounting to first degree animal cruelty, the person knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence inflicts unnecessary suffering or pain upon an animal.

(2) An owner of an animal is guilty of animal cruelty in the second degree if, under circumstances not amounting to first degree animal cruelty, the owner knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence:

(a) Fails to provide the animal with necessary food, water, shelter, rest, sanitation, ventilation, space, or medical attention and the animal suffers unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain as a result of the failure; or

(b) Abandons the animal.

(3) Animal cruelty in the second degree is a misdemeanor.

(4) In any prosecution of animal cruelty in the second degree, it shall be an affirmative defense, if established by the defendant by a preponderance of the evidence, that the defendant's failure was due to economic distress beyond the defendant's control.

[kingclick]

Second degree is closer.....BUT if these people do their best to protect their horses during the race it can easily be argued that even second degree wont apply.

And that could just be having a vet on hand. And treating your animal for any injuries that may happen.

[Minnie_Beebe]

Also known as a rodeo, horse race, dog race or zoo. If you read it that way....

But the reality is that they are not INTENTIONALLY inflicting pain. Many of the horses do not die or even end up injured. They are not fitting the description of INTENTIONAL. It's incidental.
That's why they call it the Suicide Race. :rolleyes:

The infamous Suicide Race returns to Omak this year. PAWS has actively opposed the deadly horse race which has killed 13 horses in the last 17 years that the race has been run.
The Suicide Race is a featured part of the Omak Stampede, a rodeo held yearly in the northern Washington town. The race was cancelled last year after a dispute between the Colville Confederated tribes, who supply many of the horses and riders, and the Omak Stampede, Inc., could not be resolved.

http://www.paws.org/about/mag/issues/issue46/pics/omak.jpg
The race is a short one minute sprint at full speed down a hill that is as steep as a staircase, a swim into the Okanogan River and across the slippery rocks of the riverbed (that also serves as a spawning bed for salmon) and then a run for the surviving horses into the rodeo arena. “When the horses take their fifty-yard start, they must leap airborne onto the steep hill,” said PAWS Advocacy Director Will Anderson, “but because of the way in which a horse’s eyes are placed on their head, they are unable to see the ground where their feet are to land.” According to Anderson it is the tons of pressure on the horses’ legs, the unevenness of the sand, soil and rock-strewn hill and the careless recklessness of the riders that cause the catastrophic injuries that kill and maim the horses.

PAWS has been following the race since 1983. PAWS advocates have recorded 13 horse deaths in the 17 years that they have been following the race. Each year’s race is comprised of three preliminary races and one final race, which means that a horse is killed almost every fourth race. This death toll makes the Omak Suicide Race the deadliest horse race in North America. On a deaths-per-race basis, local racetrack Emerald Downs would have to have more than 150 horses killed on its tracks each season to equal the death rate in Omak.

The deaths are often horrific to watch. PAWS advocates have witnessed horses drowning as they try to cross the Okanogan River in darkness. Others are euthanized by veterinarians to relieve the immense suffering caused by broken bones of all descriptions.

[kingclick]

The term suicide applies to the riders. I really doubt the horses are commiting suicide.

[Minnie_Beebe]

Didn't read the bolded print, huh?

[kingclick]

Heh. The only suicidal animal I've ever seen is that Dog on Spin City. And of course that was just fiction.

[mom2burgess]

I don't like the race, but if you apply those terms to those riders, you have to apply them to horse race riders as well. I have seen TONS of injuries happening to horses and the riders. So if you are going to charge them with animal cruelty, you also have to charge the other horse racers too, because horses break legs, die, and get hurt in regular races too.

[Minnie_Beebe]

I don't like the race, but if you apply those terms to those riders, you have to apply them to horse race riders as well. I have seen TONS of injuries happening to horses and the riders. So if you are going to charge them with animal cruelty, you also have to charge the other horse racers too, because horses break legs, die, and get hurt in regular races too.
Good point, but this was raised in the article.

On a deaths-per-race basis, local racetrack Emerald Downs would have to have more than 150 horses killed on its tracks each season to equal the death rate in Omak.

[mom2burgess]

But what difference does the AMOUNT make? Wouldnt' it all stillbe cruelty to animals?

[kingclick]

I don't like the race, but if you apply those terms to those riders, you have to apply them to horse race riders as well. I have seen TONS of injuries happening to horses and the riders. So if you are going to charge them with animal cruelty, you also have to charge the other horse racers too, because horses break legs, die, and get hurt in regular races too.
As well as steeple chases.

And no, numbers don't change anything.

Very good post M2B.

[Minnie_Beebe]

But what difference does the AMOUNT make? Wouldnt' it all stillbe cruelty to animals?
I see where you're coming from, but I grew up at the track (was almost born at Golden Gate Fields) and I know how these horses are treated. My dad owns over 100 thoroughbreds. Trust me when I tell you this that these horses are treated better than most people. Their own spa resorts, constant medical treatment, plush living arrangements, etc. My dad's old ranch was 118 acres of pure heaven for a horse complete with hot tub, massages, shots, monthy health checks, expensive shoes to protect their feet from hard surfaces, the best grain and food, the best training track that money could buy with special turf brought in from France.

I have been in the Jockey Club when a horse has gone down. I know the pain of watching that. It hurts so much to see, but it rarely ever happens. I know that show last night clustered them all together, but it really is rare. Harness racing is another story - that should be outlawed.

At the tracks here in Cali, a horse is required to wait an entire 15 days before it can race again. It is tested for drugs, given an exam, etc. You have to remember some of these horses are multi-million dollar investments, and the owners treat them better than they do themselves.

My own thoroughbred named Drop of Honey, a gorgeous chestnut, broke his cannon bone while frolicking in his own pasture. It can happen anywhere, but know that the vets do EVERYTHING they can to size up a horse before they let it run. This is not a dog track where the dogs are owned by the house and treated with the utmost contempt.

[Mabel]

I agree Minnie - i read about this, and was *apalled* that such a thing would be allowed to go on. It makes me sick actually.