Sue McDonough testified at the Public Hearing on the Welfare of Racehorses in New York State before the Senate Standing Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering and the Senate Standing Committee on Domestic Animal Welfare on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.
Sue McDonough has owned and rescued horses for over 30 years. Professionally, Ms. McDonough served 26 years with the New York State Police in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation; her expertise with the State Police became investigating animal cruelty.
Ms. McDonough spoke of Senate Bill S.1976 that would prohibit the use of performance enhancing drugs in racehorses. No other legislator, in either the Senate or Assembly, co-sponsored this legislation, and this bill has not received support from the racing industry.
She said that laws protecting racehorses already exist but are not enforced. It is currently unlawful to administer any controlled substance with intent to influence the outcome of a horse race: this is a felony.
Investigators at race tracks are not police or peace officers, and they only report violations to NY Racing Association instead of to a police agency. Ms. McDonough, as a State Trooper, stopped trucks hauling horses up 1-87 to Canada for slaughter.
Ms. McDonough hopes this hearing will result in regulations that will recognize the value Americans place on humane animal treatment and will better protect the racehorses.
