Has PETA gone too far this time?

Question

They want Eight Belles' jockey to be suspended.

Your thoughts?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/more/05/04/bc.rac.peta.eightbelles.ap/index.html?cnn=yes

Answer 1

I love animals but PETA really gets under my skin. They have a reputation for going too far and this is no different. It was not the jockey's fault. If it was discovered that there was some wrong-doing on the jockey's part after an investigation, then there should be some punishment. But suspending the jockey right now would be unfair.

Answer 2

Of course PETA has gone too far, that is their M.O.  They do things to draw attention to their cause ("the ethical treatment of animals"), and bigger the shock value the better.  Who is surprised that PETA would jump all over this issue?  I don't agree with their methods, but clearly, there is a method to their madness.  When an issue is front and center such as this one, everyone is talking about it, that is when they attack.  Strike while the iron is hot.  People can complain all they want about it, but they wouldn't be doing it if it was not the most effective way to get their point across.  The fact that these questions are being asked is proof of that.

And who really is going to blame the jockey?  It's totally ludicrous, but I suspect that is exactly why they are pursuing this route.  The same thing happens in other arenas, such as politics, all the time.

Answer 3

PETA is a joke............even the Mike Vick thing is a joke. They swear like an animal life is equally or even more valuable than a human life. Gimme a Break. A Human Life is wayy more valuable than any animal life.

Answer 4

The jockey did what he was supposed to do.  The trainer defended.  PETA is going too far.

Answer 5

UGH that makes me so mad!!!

It was NOT the jockey's fault. It was a freak accident, and he had no control over it. He probably feels bad as it is!

PETA shouldn't be going around pointing fingers for the death of Eight Belles. It would be nice if they would wake up and realize that it was an ACCIDENT.

That frustrates me.

Answer 6

PETA *ALWAYS* goes too far.

The jockey did nothing wrong, this accident (and it was and accident) could never have been predicted or prevented.

Answer 7

PETA has a reputation to be an extreme on animals no matter what.  They are like a bull running at any cape that flaps.

I think someone introduced a bill to legalize dog fighting just to distract them from another piece of legislation a while ago.

Overall, they have lost as much credibility and influence as Greenpeace... another liberal artifact of the later 20th century.

Answer 8

PETA goes to far with everything they do, this is just the latest example of that.  I agree completely with Major.  Human civilization was/is built using animals.  Cattle and chicken for food, horses for transportations, oxen and mules for hard labor.  Human beings have always, and will always, used animals basically as living, organic tools to perform tasks that we can't do as well ourselves.  We are the dominant species on the planet, and yes that carries some responsibility.  We shouldn't abuse animals.  But a human life is infinitely more valuable than an animals life.

Answer 9

The folks at PETA are their own worst enemy, always sticking their nose where it doesn't belong and speaking out on topics in which they hold no expertise.

If Saez did anything wrong, I would trust the governing body of his sport to take action.  I wouldn't rely on a group that has such an obvious and ridiculous agenda as PETA to dictate their actions.

Answer 10

I don't agree with Major above me but I do believe that PETA can push things to far. I don't know that the jockey  is at fault solely. If they are going to do that then they need to look at the horse racing organization and the treatment of the animals as a whole. I'm no expert, but is it impossible for a horse to recover from an injury like that? Why do they put them down without trying to rehabilitate? I know the horse would never race..but couldn't he be at someones ranch..chillen? Like I said, I'm not a vet but I wonder if there is any possibility? If so I think PETA should focus on changing the practice of putting the horse down without a thought of rehabilitation, not blaming the rider.

*EDIT: I just asked a friend why the horse can't be rehabilitated. It has something to do with slow blood flow and their bones don't just crack, but break in a spiral so they don't heal the same as a human bone. In that case they did the right thing it putting the animal down and I think looking into the treatment of these animals is a good thing, but again..blaming the rider is'nt going to solve anything.

Answer 11

PETA is very stupid.  What did the jockey do besides ride a horse like everyone else?  Why not suspend every jockey in that race?  They were doing the same thing as that jockey.

Answer 12

Yes. This time they are. I can see that they could petition to improve the track and whipping but what did the jockey do? He just raced the horse!

I am avery sad about Eight Belles, but this is going over the top!