Stop Cruel Horse Slaughter

Like what? The administration and congress are controlled by people who just don't give a shet, and the American People keep voting them back into office.

So you're telling me that people are shouting louder for horses than they are humans? I think this issue goes beyond government in that case. It says a lot about the Ameican public.

I, however, don't believe that. I think people are being loud enough, but when those in charge have "Not on my agenda" plugs in their ears it doesn't matter how loud you are.

And then there are the idiots who just keep voting them back in to office.

Like the good people of MA and their two senators. "They may be idiots, but they ahh ahh idiots".

Congress Moves to Stop Horse Slaughter

URGENT ACTION NEEDED MONDAY!

June 6, 2005

Dear Humanitarian:

Congress is poised to vote on legislation to stop the brutal slaughter of horses in the United States for human consumption in foreign countries.

Representative John Sweeney (R-NY), co-chair of the Congressional Horse Caucus, and Representative John Spratt (D-SC) are expected to introduce an amendment to the House Agriculture Appropriations bill that prohibits any federal taxpayer funds from being used to slaughter horses.

Please take a moment to contact your Representative MONDAY, urging their immediate support of the Sweeney/Spratt amendment to the House Agriculture Appropriations Bill. Congress will consider the amendment toward the end of the week of June 6th (current information suggests June 8th, but keep calling), so your immediate assistance is critical. If you would like additional facts or need to find the name of any of your legislators, visit our Web site at: www.saplonline.org/horses.htm or call (703) 836-4300.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Please call, fax or e-mail your Member of the House of Representatives. Refer to the fact sheet below for specific points to discuss.

Ask your Representative to support the Sweeney/Spratt Amendment (prohibiting your tax dollars from being spent on horse slaughter) -- and respectfully request his or her specific position on the issue.
Capitol Hill Operator: (202) 224-3121 (they will help you reach your legislator)
E-mail: http://www.house.gov/writerep/

Your immediate assistance is essential to ensure Congress hears from an outpouring of concerned constituents. Please share our "Dear Humanitarian" eAlert with family, friends and coworkers, and encourage them to write letters, too. As always, please share any responses you receive from Congress with us.
Thank you so much for your help!

Sincerely,



Cathy Liss

Legislative Director

Society for Animal Protective Legislation

www.saplonline.org



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FACTS ABOUT HORSE SLAUGHTER

Last year three foreign-owned slaughter plants cruelly slaughtered more than 65,000 horses for human consumption in Europe and Asia. Tens of thousands more of America's horses were exported and slaughtered in other countries.
Slaughter is NOT humane euthanasia. Horses suffer horribly on the way to and during slaughter.
Passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA) will reduce animal suffering - hence its wide support throughout the equestrian and veterinary world, as well as the humane community.
Americans overwhelmingly support an end to horse slaughter for human consumption (recent polls from Kentucky, Texas and Utah respectively show that 82, 72 and 69 percent of those questioned oppose the practice). In California, a 1998 ballot initiative (Prop. 6) banning horse slaughter for human consumption passed with 60 percent of the vote.
1. Sick and old horses to slaughter

Question: Is it true that slaughter is only a last resort for infirm, dangerous or no longer serviceable horses?
Answer: 92.3 percent of horses arriving at slaughter plants in this country are in "good" condition, according to the US Department of Agriculture's Guidelines for Handling and Transporting Equines to Slaughter.

2. Neglect and abuse

Question: Will horse abuse and neglect cases rise significantly following a ban on slaughter?
Answer: There has been no documented rise in abuse and neglect cases in California since the state banned horse slaughter for human consumption in 1998. There is no documented rise in Illinois following closure of the state's only horse slaughter plant in 2002.

3. Cost of caring for "unwanted horses."

Question: If there is a ban on horse slaughter, will horse rescue and retirement groups have the resources to take care of unwanted horses? Should the government have to pay for the care of horses voluntarily given up by their owners?
Answer: Not every horse currently going to slaughter will need to be absorbed into the rescue community - many will be sold to a new owner, others will be kept longer and a licensed veterinarian will humanely euthanize some. Opponents of this legislation admit passage of the bill will not necessarily lead to an increase in the number of horses sent to rescue facilities, precisely because humane euthanasia is so widely used. It is not the government's responsibility to provide for the care of horses voluntarily given up by their owners, as these animals are private property. Hundreds of horse rescue organizations operate around the country, and additional facilities are being established (a list is available).

4. A safe and humane solution for sick, old and unwanted horses

Question: If slaughter is not an option, what will we do with sick, old and "unwanted horses?"
Answer: Approximately 690,000 horses die annually in this country (10 percent of an estimated population of 6.9 million) and the vast majority are not slaughtered, but euthanized and rendered or buried without any negative environmental impact instead. Humane euthanasia and carcass disposal is highly affordable and widely available. The average cost of having a horse humanely euthanized and safely disposing of the animal's carcass is approximately $225, while the average monthly cost of keeping a horse is approximately $200.

5. Export of horses for slaughter abroad

Question: If there is a ban on horse slaughter in the United States, will there be an increase in the export of horses for foreign slaughter? Will horses suffer from longer transport for slaughter in countries where there may be weaker welfare laws?
Answer: Horse slaughter has declined dramatically in the United States over the past decade, but there has been no correlating increase in the number of American horses exported for slaughter abroad. Further, the AHSPA prohibits the export of horses for slaughter abroad, and contains clear enforcement and penalty provisions to prevent this from happening. Risk of federal prosecution and the high costs associated with illegally transporting horses long distances for slaughter abroad are strong deterrents.

6. Standards of care at sanctuaries and rescue organizations

Question: Is it true no standards exist for horse rescue facilities that take unwanted horses?

Answer: The Doris Day Animal League and the Animal Welfare Institute published "Basic Guidelines for Operating an Equine Rescue or Retirement Facility" in 2004. Additionally, the Association of Sanctuaries and the American Sanctuaries Association provide accreditation programs, a code of ethics and guidelines for the operation of sanctuaries and rescue organizations. Horse rescue groups must also provide for the welfare of horses in their custody in compliance with state and local animal welfare laws.

7. Use of horsemeat in pet food

Question: If there is a ban on horse slaughter, will horsemeat no longer be available for pet food?
Answer: There is no horsemeat in pet food. This practice stopped decades ago and has some connection to the enactment of protections for America's wild horses in 1971. The US public and Congress were outraged to learn federal agencies were rounding up and allowing the exploitation and slaughter of these national treasures for items such as pet food. Some by-products of the horse slaughter industry are used in various consumer items, but they are derived from the rendering (a different process than slaughter and not affected by the AHSPA) of dead horses and other animals.

Congress Passes Important Horse Protection Legislation


Yesterday <June 8, 2005> Congress passed by an overwhelming majority the Sweeny-Spratt amendment to make the use of federal funds for horse slaughterhouses in the U.S. illegal. IDA would like to thank all of our members who responded to our Action Alerts by writing, emailing, faxing and calling their Representatives: you really made a difference! And congratulations to everyone from the many different groups who lobbied and worked so hard for this victory. Because of our collective efforts, we are now one step closer to outlawing horse slaughter in this country.


The amendment now goes to the Senate, and you can be sure that we will continue to fight on behalf of America's horses to ensure that it passes there, as well.

we did it!!!!!!!!!!

The U.S. Senate passed an amendment today by a stunning 68-29 vote that prohibits the use of any federal taxpayer funds to slaughter horses for food exports.

The amendment, introduced by Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and Robert C. Byrd (D-WV), mirrors an amendment that passed the U.S. House of Representatives in June, which was led by Reps. John Sweeney (R-NY), John Spratt (D-SC), Nick Rahall (D-WV), and Ed Whitfield (R-KY). Together, these measures will effectively stop America's horses from being killed in three slaughterhouses in the U.S. that slaughter horses -- two in Texas and one in Illinois. The amendment also stops horses from being shipped to slaughterhouses in Canada or Mexico so that their meat can be exported to foreign countries.

This tremendous victory would not have been possible without your support and action. We received outstanding support for our major lobbying campaign to end horse slaughter and were able to mobilize our grassroots network. Every single Senate office heard from us, and because of your calls and emails they took notice. Click here to find our how your U.S. Senators voted.


"The time has come to put an end to the practice of slaughtering horses in America," said Sen. Ensign. "Horses have an important role in the history of our country, particularly the West, and they deserve our protection. As a senator and a veterinarian I am committed to doing what I can for these magnificent animals. Many of the horses sent to slaughter are perfectly healthy, and turning them over to slaughterhouses is inhumane and unnecessary."

"The market for horsemeat is not an American market," said Sen. Byrd. "Many Americans would be shocked to learn that our animals suffer such a fate, all in order to satisfy the tastes of those living in Europe and Asia."

In another welcome move, the Senate also approved two additional animal welfare amendments introduced by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI). One amendment would ensure that "downed livestock" -- animals too sick or injured to walk -- are not allowed into the human food supply. The second amendment would prohibit tax dollars from being used for research facilities that purchase animals from "Class B dealers" who traffic in family pets for research.

We are so grateful that you stood with us and helped achieve this incredible victory for animals, even as so many of our resources -- and so much of our attention -- has been turned towards helping the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Thank you for all!

This is a joke. What are they going to propose next? Social Security for old horses?

cjhsa you are such a nag....

not to worry though - your kids won't be sending you to texas or illinois any time soon...