RSPCA issue appeal after stray dog found in poor condition with matted coat

RSPCA statement at close of Grand National Festival 2026

COMMENTING after the Grand National Festival 2026, an RSPCA Spokesperson said:- “We are incredibly sad that 2 horses, Gold Dancer and Get On George, lost their lives last weekend at this year’s Grand National Festival at Aintree. This brings the total number of deaths at the Festival since 2016 to 26 horses. And whilst we recognise and welcome that efforts have been made to improve safety at the Grand National in recent years, sadly fatalities highlight that more needs to be done to adequately protect horses from serious risk; including:- the whipping of race horses for so called:- ‘encouragement.’ The British Horseracing Authority must examine in detail these horses’ deaths through its fatality review process, which is a commitment their team has made to improving race horse safety. We have received welcome assurances from the bha that each of these tragic incidents will be investigated in detail. The Grand National is 1 of the biggest events in the horse racing calendar; and whilst the eyes of the world are on Aintree during each festival, it's also important to remember this is 1 of hundreds of competitive horse racing events that take place across England and Wales every year; and momentum for further positive change must continue throughout the year. Tragically, during the same weekend, 180 miles away at Chepstow, another horse:- Celtic Art, lost his life as a result of racing, bringing the total number of competitive horse racing fatalities in the UK so far this year to 44, including:- 4 at the Cheltenham Festival just weeks ago. The RSPCA continues to engage with the horse racing industry in the hope of seeing greater safety measures introduced to the sport, banning the use of the whip to drive horses forwards, and meaningful improvements for equine welfare both on and off the track.”

Emma Slawinski, Chief Executive, at the League Against Cruel Sports, has also commented saying:- "Year after year we see horses dying at Aintree for people’s entertainment and a cheap bet. Sadly, Get On George is yet another victim of this heartless spectacle which flies in the face of animal welfare. The public and businesses should boycott the Aintree Festival, refuse to bet on the racing, and stop watching the TV Coverage and advertising which glosses over the animal cruelty. The Government needs to act as the British Horseracing Authority and Jockey Club is prioritising gambling profits over the lives of the horses. The cruel use of the whip causing pain and distress to the horses is also pushing them beyond what they are capable of and can lead to tragedy. Horses are being raced to their deaths so we are calling on the government to step in and ensure the welfare of horses becomes the number one priority, this sickening death toll has been added to yet again and this needs to end."