Sickening moment racehorse is kicked and whipped after collapsing to the ground at Ohio track, as PETA calls for criminal investigation and for man’s license to be permanently revoked

This is the sickening moment a racehorse was kicked and whipped on the ground after collapsing at a track in Ohio, with a local horseman suspended for one year over the incident.

Graphic footage obtained by animal rights organization PETA shows Brevin Lupton, an Ohio racing licensee, kicking the horse after it falls to the ground, before another staff member appears to strike the animal with a whip.

The horse then briefly manages to rise to its feet, only to collapse again and repeatedly struggle to get back up.

Since the distressing incident, which took place on October 9, Lupton has been suspended for one year and fined $1,000 for ‘engaging in an act of cruelty to a horse’ and ‘conduct against the best interest of horse racing’.

It is not yet clear whether the horseman has appealed the decision.

A racehorse was kicked and whipped on the ground after collapsing at a track in Ohio

However, PETA – a nonprofit organization which exposes animal abuse across a range of industries – are calling for Lupton’s license and membership to be revoked for good.

The group is also asking law enforcement to consider a criminal investigation which could result in cruelty-to-animals chargers being filed.

‘Only thugs violently assault a horse, and anyone who does should be banned from racing,’ PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo said.

‘The horse was in deep distress when he was abused like this, and PETA is calling for a criminal investigation.’

Dailymail.com has approached the Ohio State Racing Commission for comment.