The motion would prohibit racing and off-track betting in L.A.
The Los Angeles Board of Animal Services is considering banning horse racing for good. The push follows the recent deaths at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia where nearly thirty horses have died this past season.
However, the Tuesday attempt to move forward with the motion failed by a margin of 2-1 with only three of the five board members present for the vote. Commissioner Roger Wolfson recently placed an item on the board’s agenda described as “opposition to horse racing in the state of California” and made it clear that he has the intention to raise the motion again at a later meeting.
“This wasn’t a political calculation,” Wolfson told City News Service. “Look, 30 horses have died at Santa Anita; that’s a nearby city. We’re concerned about it.”
Santa Anita would not be affected by Los Angeles’ decision to rid of all activities related to horse racing since it is located in the city of Arcadia.
The L.A. City Council has taken the lead on animal rights issues as of lately, including a ban on displaying or renting out elephants, snakes, tigers, and other animals as well as the recent ban on the sale of animal fur which is slated to go into effect early 2021.