People who own racing and/or show horses often have them fully insured against accidents. Unfortunately, when these once gallant steeds start to lose their ability to win prize money or trophies, some owners hire a “hitman” to kill or cripple the horse and make it look like an accident so the horse owner can collect big bucks from the insurance company.
When you cripple a horse by hitting it in the knee with a hammer this leads to the horse being euthanized right there on the spot once the accident is discovered. Even unsuspecting horse-people who frequent and work the racing circuit and horse shows may know who the “hitman” is when he suddenly shows up at a racetrack or horse show, but horse-people may not likely to blow the whistle or alert law enforcement authorities out of fear of losing their jobs.
It has been reported that just to kill one “fully insured” horse and make it look like an accident, a “hitman” may burn down a whole stable filled with screaming, dying horses. Too often people who own, show and work with horses feel horses are a commodity to be used and when used up they are basically worthless.
SUPPLEMENTAL SOURCE: NBC-TV DATELINE 8/8/97