While the following harness rulings do not directly involve horse abuse, I thought they’d provide some insights into the quality of people working in the horseracing industry (and, thus, around the horses).
First, this from Michigan (regarding an incident in June):
“Mr. Justin Irvine is fined $1,000 [later changed to $2,000] and given a 30-day driving suspension…for violation of a rule [on] offensive and profane language. Mr. Irvine did turn his head to the right and yell an offensive statement to Ms. Staci Malady, causing her to run to the draw gate and pull him off the race bike. Mr. Irvine also made an offensive hand gesture at Ms. Malady’s driver coming down the stretch.”
“Ms. Staci Malady is fined $2,000 [later changed to $3,000] and suspended until Dec 31…for violation of rules [on] fighting and disturbing the peace. Ms. Malady did yell profanity at Mr. Justin Irvine and ran to the draw gate to pull him backwards off the race bike.”
“Ms. Peyton Malady is fined $500…for violation of rules [on] offensive and profane language and disturbing the peace by verbally encouraging Ms. Staci Malady.”
Harrington, Oct 8:
“DHRC licensee Toni Thomas…is now under a 30-day suspension for failing a human drug test [at the track]. Ms. Thomas tested positive for oxycodone and methamphetamines.”
Harrington, Oct 23:
“DHRC licensee Ivan Smith Sr…is under a 10-day full suspension for failing the breathalyzer test [at the track].”
Nice, huh?
