The New York Racing Association has taken a zero-tolerance stance on horse slaughter. NYRA CEO Charles Hayward announced the decision on Thursday.

“We are fully committed to protecting our sport’s equine athletes,” said Hayward. “This policy sends the message that horse slaughter will not be tolerated and that those participating in this practice, either knowingly or for lack of due diligence, will not be welcome at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, or Saratoga.”

The new policy language is quite specific, and the punishment severe:

“Any owner or trainer stabled at a New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) track found to have directly or indirectly sold a horse for slaughter will have his or her stalls permanently revoked from all NYRA tracks.”

Furthermore, the organization puts the onus on owners and trainers to ensure that those buying their horses are doing so for humane reasons:

“NYRA requires its horsemen to conduct due diligence on those buying horses and encourages them to support rescue and adoption efforts and to find humane ways of dealing with horses unable to continue racing.”

Read the complete announcement HERE.