Racing authorities vow to back legal action as attacks on horses spread

France Galop and its trotting counterpart issued a joint statement on Monday condemning a recent spate of horrific attacks on horses across the country, with at least one incident reported to have involved a thoroughbred.

The two governing bodies will – though their umbrella organisation the FNCH (National Federation of Horseracing) – join any civil legal action mounted by injured parties from within the racing and breeding industries.

Dozens of cases have been reported across a wide geographical area, with many attacks featuring mutilation and the removal of body parts, particularly an ear.

Initially the targets included riding schools and leisure horses at rest in the field, but online daily Jour de Galop has reported that one case featured a thoroughbred in Oise, the department in which the racing centre of Chantilly is situated.

The joint press release from the racing authorities repeated a series of security measures recommended by the gendarmerie including daily surveillance, the removal of halters from horses while in the field and, where possible, the installation of cameras.

The FNCH statement continued: "In the face of a number of acts of cruelty aimed at equines, the National Horseracing Federation will join any civil action made by a racing or trotting professional who have been victims of such an act.

"Members of the racing industry, who spend their days working with horses and who have their wellbeing at heart, have been incensed by these vile acts."

It went on to urge anyone affected to contact the police in the first instance, before then alerting the relevant governing body.

The widespread nature of incidents have led to a deal of interest from local and national media, with commentators advancing theories which range from a satanic cult to an internet challenge.

Investigations are being nationally coordinated by the gendarmerie, with Colonel Hubert Percie du Sert noting that no one gang or method had emerged during the course of inquiries, rather that they were looking at "multiple actors".

"There have been around 20 cases where the ear has been cut but there has also been evidence of genital mutilation and lacerations with sharp objects," the colonel told Agence France Presse last week.

The maximum sentence for animal cruelty in France is two years in prison and a €30,000 fine.

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