Sickening moment a racehorse is kicked and punched after falling to the ground at the Ohio track, as PETA calls for a criminal investigation and permanent revocation of the man’s license

This is the sickening moment a racehorse was kicked to the ground and flogged after collapsing at an Ohio racecourse, with a local rider banned for a year over the incident.

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

The horse then briefly manages to get up, but then collapses again and repeatedly struggles to get back up.

Since the distressing incident, which took place on October 9, Lupton has been suspended for a year and fined $1,000 for ‘committing an act of cruelty to a horse’ and ‘conduct contrary to the interests of horse racing’ .

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

A racehorse was kicked and punched to the ground after collapsing at an Ohio track

However, PETA – a non-profit organization that exposes animal cruelty across a range of sectors – is calling for Lupton’s license and membership to be revoked permanently.

The group is also asking police to consider a criminal investigation that could lead to animal cruelty charges being filed.

“Only criminals would violently attack a horse, and anyone who does should be banned from racing,” said PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo.

“The horse was in great distress when he was abused in this way, and PETA is calling for a criminal investigation.”

Dailymail.com has reached out to the Ohio State Racing Commission for comment.