Help stop the slaughter of horses.
Dec. 3rd, 2006 09:02 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sitaangelLetter: Help stop the slaughter of horses
Friday, December 1, 2006
To the editor:
Horses are not raised as livestock in America. They are companions, pets, athletes, recreation and therapeutic partners. America's horses are used in police work, search and rescue, National Park and forestry services etc.. Yet, approximately 90,000 horses per year are sent to foreign owned slaughterhouses located in the U.S. Their meat shipped to countries like France, Belgium and Japan for human consumption, even though many routine medications for horses (such as wormers) are labeled "do not use in horses intended for food."
On Sept. 7, 2006 the House voted on The Horse Protection Act HR503 to ban the buying, selling, donating, and transporting of horses to slaughter. HR503 passed 263 yea / 146 nay. Now it goes to the Senate, S1915 - a bill to amend the horse protection act to prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption.
It must pass this year or the process will have to start over again next year.
This bill has nothing to do with slaughter of U.S livestock raised for food. You can still enjoy your barbecued beef, chicken, and pork. Nor is S1915 dictating what other countries eat - cultural differences are not the issue.
Most think that only sick, crippled, dangerous, and old horses go to slaughter. This is not true. The USDA guidelines state that more than 90 percent are in good condition. Studies show that 72 percent are sound of limb, 84 percent of average age, and 96 percent had no behavioral issues. The meat buyers are not looking for old and sick horses for human consumption, they want healthy young flesh.
Many good horses end up at slaughter plants. Some are stolen horses, others purchased by Kill buyers from unsuspecting sellers at auction and private sales. If the plants closed, the amount of horses that would have gone through would be absorbed back into the horse community. Some sold into new homes, others donated for retirement, adoption and rescue facilities. Humane euthanasia by a veterinarian is an option for dangerous or suffering horses - the cost is about the same as caring and feeding a horse for a month.
Horses headed for slaughter sometimes go 24 hours without food, water or rest. Many are transported in overcrowded trailers without separating stallions, mares, and foals, arriving injured from fighting and from the transport itself.
Federal law states that horses must be rendered unconscious prior to slaughter, usually done with a "captive bolt" Horses are sensitive creatures with a flight instinct. They sense the chaos, smell the blood and fear of those who went before them. Plenty of video footage on the Web shows horses not effectively stunned by the captive bolt gun even with repeated attempts. The horses are struggling and fighting for their lives. Some still conscious when hoisted by a rear leg to have their throats cut.
We must end the inhumane practice of slaughtering U.S. horses. The vast network of equine rescue agencies across the country is constantly growing. Dedicated horse lovers will continue to work in the interest of the horses. If slaughter is abolished those that are working so hard to end slaughter - while at the same time pulling horses from kill pens - could focus their efforts and resources towards helping other horses in need.
Research information on horse slaughter in the U.S., sort the truth from the myths and show your support for S1915.
Mary Martin
Uptack Avenue
Groveland
Friday, December 1, 2006
To the editor:
Horses are not raised as livestock in America. They are companions, pets, athletes, recreation and therapeutic partners. America's horses are used in police work, search and rescue, National Park and forestry services etc.. Yet, approximately 90,000 horses per year are sent to foreign owned slaughterhouses located in the U.S. Their meat shipped to countries like France, Belgium and Japan for human consumption, even though many routine medications for horses (such as wormers) are labeled "do not use in horses intended for food."
On Sept. 7, 2006 the House voted on The Horse Protection Act HR503 to ban the buying, selling, donating, and transporting of horses to slaughter. HR503 passed 263 yea / 146 nay. Now it goes to the Senate, S1915 - a bill to amend the horse protection act to prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption.
It must pass this year or the process will have to start over again next year.
This bill has nothing to do with slaughter of U.S livestock raised for food. You can still enjoy your barbecued beef, chicken, and pork. Nor is S1915 dictating what other countries eat - cultural differences are not the issue.
Most think that only sick, crippled, dangerous, and old horses go to slaughter. This is not true. The USDA guidelines state that more than 90 percent are in good condition. Studies show that 72 percent are sound of limb, 84 percent of average age, and 96 percent had no behavioral issues. The meat buyers are not looking for old and sick horses for human consumption, they want healthy young flesh.
Many good horses end up at slaughter plants. Some are stolen horses, others purchased by Kill buyers from unsuspecting sellers at auction and private sales. If the plants closed, the amount of horses that would have gone through would be absorbed back into the horse community. Some sold into new homes, others donated for retirement, adoption and rescue facilities. Humane euthanasia by a veterinarian is an option for dangerous or suffering horses - the cost is about the same as caring and feeding a horse for a month.
Horses headed for slaughter sometimes go 24 hours without food, water or rest. Many are transported in overcrowded trailers without separating stallions, mares, and foals, arriving injured from fighting and from the transport itself.
Federal law states that horses must be rendered unconscious prior to slaughter, usually done with a "captive bolt" Horses are sensitive creatures with a flight instinct. They sense the chaos, smell the blood and fear of those who went before them. Plenty of video footage on the Web shows horses not effectively stunned by the captive bolt gun even with repeated attempts. The horses are struggling and fighting for their lives. Some still conscious when hoisted by a rear leg to have their throats cut.
We must end the inhumane practice of slaughtering U.S. horses. The vast network of equine rescue agencies across the country is constantly growing. Dedicated horse lovers will continue to work in the interest of the horses. If slaughter is abolished those that are working so hard to end slaughter - while at the same time pulling horses from kill pens - could focus their efforts and resources towards helping other horses in need.
Research information on horse slaughter in the U.S., sort the truth from the myths and show your support for S1915.
Mary Martin
Uptack Avenue
Groveland
