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S. 311, 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, and for other purposes
- This item is from the 110th Congress (2007-2008) and is no longer current. Comments, voting, and wiki editing have been disabled, and the cost/savings estimate has been frozen.
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Visitor Comments 
Jodi
February 13, 2007, 10:29am (report abuse)I think this is something that needs to be seen from all views. We still need the slaughter houses for horses, however we don't need them slaughtered for human consumption. That isn't right. Stick to making dog food with them.
Gary
February 17, 2007, 11:27am (report abuse)MUST READ,Anyone contemplating this bill must read the report at www.animal welfare council.org entitled The Unintended Consequences of a Ban on theHumane Slaughter of Horses in the United States
Eric Wilson
April 25, 2007, 9:49am (report abuse)We already have an over population of horses. This would keep all the dangerous horses in local sales being sold to unexpecting, unknowledgeable people for there kids and grandkids. There are horses in this world that need to be destroyed and closing the kill market will just put them in sales they do not belong in. I am a multiple horse owner with two that are retired but have also seen horses that cannot be made safe and I believe our sons and daughters are more important than a horse.
Rebecca
June 20, 2007, 5:20pm (report abuse)Please shut down the slaughter houses and save our horses. It is not being done in any way humane. How can it be ok to kill the young or healthy horse so people can eat them overseas? These aren't just old horses.We should judge ourselves by how we treat the helpless. They are spirited animals that have been our pets and heros, how can anyone throw them to slaughter when they are no longer useful? PLEASE SHUT DOWN THE KILLING SLAUGHTER HOUSES!!!
Brian
July 3, 2007, 10:46pm (report abuse)Pets and heros? Rebecca, you say that as if they willfully volunteered their services! They were taken from the wild by man, and forced into subserviance for the sake of transportation! Now, with the advent of cars, trucks, trains, motorcycles, etc., what better use can mankind have for horses than to use them for food to feed our ever increasing population as we do with cattle, pigs, chickens, and so on. Besides, what animal rights nut would consider ANY method of slaughter for human consumption "humane"?
Francia
August 18, 2007, 11:16pm (report abuse)Can't believe some of these outrageous comments above....hey if an animal is no longer viable and must be sold or Gotten Rid of after you have No use for the old "pet". I would think you would show some dencency for the animal!
I have seen How Terrible and Just the WORSE DEAD any thing should have to go thru!!! SHAME on any one that would think this type of Slaghter is a NEEDE Business!!!
Dog Foods Don't even use Horse meat any more. People who eat HORSE , Who are they Michael Vick's Dinner quests! This is a GOOD BILL and should BE PASSED!!
DeAne
August 30, 2007, 12:50pm (report abuse)Please, pass the protection of wild horses, and end the use of horses for human consumption, STOP them being transported to Mexico and Canada also! These transports and slaughters are SO INHUMANE it would make anyone sick. Sensitive animals that give so much, for big business, is not right. We are to be guardians of animals. These animals are not raised for food, as others. (which could also be slaughtered more humanely)
But the cries and shreeks of these sensitive animals that give us so much, please stop the slaughter, and the transport, for meat. PLEASE get the bills passed to protect them!!!
Dee Urban
August 30, 2007, 12:53pm (report abuse)PLEASE BRING UP AND PASS ALL HORSE PROTECTION ACTS, S311 and whatever other bill can protect these animals from transport (SO inhumane and consumption for food)
They give so much, and are not raised to be food. These are intelligent, sensitive creatures.
PLEASE PREVENT THEIR TRANSPORT AND SLAUGHTER< AND ALSO BEING TRANSPORTED TO MEXICO AND CANADA FOR SLAUGHTER, Torturas trips that thousands are enduring. PLEASE!!!
Jesse Urban
August 30, 2007, 12:55pm (report abuse)Please pass bill S311 to protect the horses from inhumane transport and slaughter for meat.
Joyce Jacobson
November 17, 2007, 5:15pm (report abuse)Just a few abbreviated comments meant to educate previous posters, since space is limited here and I cannot be as detailed in my responses as I might be otherwise:
1)Horse meat has not been used in dog food for several years.
2)The “Unintended….” study was done by 8 Profs from Texas A&M and Dr. Stull from the pro-slaughter AVMA. That school was given $2 per horse butchered in the US. Any questions why they do not want the ban?
3)Is euthanasia an unheard of concept? Euthanasia, N. “a good death. Slaughter, V. “To kill in a violent or brutal manner”. No further discussion needed.
4)Slaughter fills only 1 need—foreign companies satisfying the wants of Europe and Japan—not a need, a want.
5)We have an overpopulation of many things—do we slaughter dogs and cats? No—responsible owners euthanize them.
Pro-S arguments are old and proven false. Please, educate yourselves before you embrace them.
Gary
November 18, 2007, 9:14pm (report abuse)Joyce,1.The correct number of authors of the "Unintended" study is 9 of which only four were from Texas A&M.The others were from Calpoly,Utah State,University of Louisville and University of California Davis.
2.My webster gives the definition of slaughter as:the butchering of livestock for market,or to kill animals for food.
3.Load the cats and dogs up and send them to Korea where they do eat them.
Julie
December 27, 2007, 2:35pm (report abuse)Horses are an agricultural commodity. If you don't want to have your hose slaughtered, don't. But don't shut down the slaughter houses when there is an active market for horse meat and by-products!
Americans are so arrogant! We bury perfectly good animal protein while people in Africa starve. Shame!
Larry
January 4, 2008, 10:32am (report abuse)I raise Horses and I am on the Human Board in my county. We need the horse slaughter house. I am in the real world where are you? (for Example) A horse is starving, owner can't afford to feed it, can't be shot and left it lay, there is about a $1,000 fine for that. It costs over $500 to have the horse buryed and it can't be buryed on your property with out leagle papers drawn up. The rendering works don't want the dead horse. If the owner can't afford to feed them and there is no market? Take the owner to court? Owner says yes, we are guilty you can have the horse and the county says we don't want that expense and I am told don't bring these type of cases to court any more, we will not except them. You do gooder's that make laws and don't live in the real word have caused a lot of inhuman problems for the horse.
Ondine
January 4, 2008, 10:37am (report abuse)According to the Dept. of Agriculture's records, the majority of American horses slaughtered are 7-11 years old, healthy, in good weight, and not lame. The idea that these are crazy, crippled, or starving horses is ridiculous.
The meat is not used to feed the starving people of the world either. The retail price is too high for that. Only those who want to make money off of their horse's death endorse horse slaughter. The foreign owned horse slaughter industry has created an artificial demand for our horses. In many past years, they had to import horses from Canada to meet their kill quotas. That shows a shortage of horses, not an overage.
It's all about money. They pay no federal income tax, either. All of their product and most of their profits are for their benefit only and a drain on the U.S. economy. They're laughing all the way to the bank.
Please educate yourself on this issue before commenting, to prevent further embarrassment.
Ondine
January 4, 2008, 10:49am (report abuse)Larry, the key elements to your mythical "real world" story are that the rendering company does not want the dead horse. That's a new one since dead horses, cows, etc. are exactly what rendering companies want. Many companies will pick up the carcass at no charge and some will charge about $40--a modest fee for any budget.
The second humorous element is the idea that a slaughter house would take a starving horse. Think about it. They are butchers and pay by the pound. There is no profit in a thin horse. Now that's the real world, not a 'what if' scenario that makes no sense.
Starvation of horses bears no relation to horse slaughter. An owner who starves a horse could have taken it to auction when it was healthy and sold it to be exported to slaughter in Mexico or Canada. That option still exists and yet mentally unsound people don't take it. That just proves the point that horse slaughter does not prevent horse abuse or neglect--it never has and it never will.
L Matte
January 4, 2008, 12:52pm (report abuse)When you take into consideration the number of horses that were imported from Canada, the number of horses stolen, the number of horses sold under false pretense, the number of horses that were by products of Premarin, the number of horses bred for the sole purpose of slaughter, and the number of horses that will be humanely euthanized, the number of horses left are far less than what the pro horse slaughter advocates want you to believe. Horse slaughter is NOT a service to help owners dispose of a horse. It is a business and as long as other countries will buy the product the slaughter houses will supply the product.
L Matte
January 4, 2008, 12:54pm (report abuse)Continued ~ Go to manesandtailsorganization.org/stats.htm and take a look at the statistics. At one time in 1990 345,700 horses were butchered in 1994 107,029 and in 2000 47,134. Where did all of those horses go? Once again the supply and demand fact is what comes into play. The fact of the matter is slaughter of horses is abusive, barbaric and a cruel way to end a life regardless of any unwanted horse claims. Horse owner's that abuse and starve their horses will abuse and starve their horses with or without slaughter.
Do your research hsus.org or saponline.org Horse slaughter is un-American call your legislators and tell them to pass S 311/HR 503 now.
Martin
January 4, 2008, 1:03pm (report abuse)find the truths at www.kaufmanzoning.net
www.vetsforequinewelfare.org
slaughter promotes abuse, neglect, theft, deceict, illegal activity, and cruelty.
USDA states 90% of horses slaughtered are in good to excellent condition,
other studies show that 80% are under age 10, 74% are sound of limb, & 96% had no behavior issues.
Support the bills!
Shannon J
January 4, 2008, 1:29pm (report abuse)This is ridiculous and absurd that we allow this horrid practice to continue. What is even worse is that most turn their heads and feign indifference or ignorance. Stop the insanity. STOP THIS NOW!!! DON'T LET ANOTHER AMERICAN HORSE DIE FOR FOREIGN GREED!!!
SHANNON J
January 4, 2008, 1:31pm (report abuse)PLEASE BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER AND TRANSPORTATION FOR SUCH IN 2008!!!
The time to act is now!
BUC
January 4, 2008, 1:33pm (report abuse)A big NO vote on this bill from me. Keep our boarders open for the horse trade and re open Americas horse slaughter houses.
Renee
January 4, 2008, 2:19pm (report abuse)Slaughter needs to be brought to a full halt and never start again. It is Horrific,Barbaric and just plain mean and abusive to the innocent horses. Other countries can kill their own. Don't KILL AMERICAN born and breed horses!
Rescues and sanctuaries will help the horses, breeding needs to be slowed down. IT CAN WORK!
SAHME ON YOU FOR WANTING SLAUGHTER. YOU CALL YOURSELF AN AMERICAN?
kathyb
January 4, 2008, 2:20pm (report abuse)Anyone who has seen the videos of how horses are slaughtered should see how horrible this is. Please pass S.311!!
Verna
January 4, 2008, 2:39pm (report abuse)Slaughter is not about the disposal of unwanted, neglected horses. It is about money, big business. If people didn't want to eat horsemeat, there would be no need for slaughter.Check your facts. All slaughter facilities are foreign owned.Even the ones that were here in the U.S. but gave no financial support to the U.S. in fact we paid to help keep them running.If you want to see horses as a commodity and not a pet. In the long run, slaughter will be better for the horse because better horses will be bred. Right now over breeding is the biggest harm to our horses besides the transport and slaughter they have to endure.If think it is humane, just watch a video of horses being slaughtered in Mexico or anywhere and tell me that is humane.Check the sites previously mentioned and PASS S311/HR503 NOW!
Bianca
January 4, 2008, 2:59pm (report abuse)Horses are not food animals in American culture and have carried us in battle, plowed our fields & pulled our wagons. 70% of Americans surveyed want horse slaughter to end.
The claim that ending horse slaughter will cause an outbreak of abuse and neglect is a myth. The slaughter industry encourages over breeding and poor horse stewardship. When the Cavel slaughterhouse in Illinois burned down years ago, cases of neglect went DOWN. When a bill banning horse slaughter was passed in California, horse theft went down 34%.
According to the American Horse Council, over 1.4 million Americans work directly or indirectly in legitimate horse industries. By contrast, all three slaughter plants operating in 2006 employed fewer than 200 people in low paying jobs.
Since slaughter takes horses that are typically in their prime, including foals, yearlings and pregnant mares, it does not help the economy. A useful horse slaughtered is one less horse creating jobs and wealth in our economy.
Laura
January 4, 2008, 3:08pm (report abuse)some people have the idea that horses are being "humanely" slaughtered and that is NOT correct. check out the facts and you will find that this is not so! horses are not raised for food slaughter in this country as cows are. . i have never sat down to a steak dinner and wondered what the cow's name used to be because i know the cow was raised for slaughter. horses are given names and taught to trust us. if there are so many horses in this country that we cannot afford to take care of them, then why don't we start by teaching people to breed responsibly? isn't that the real problem? why must the answer to our "problems" never have a solution to the existing problem? we need to stop slaughtering our horses and we need to stop allowing them to be transported to slaughter. it is time we all took a look at what we have done, take some responsibility and find a solution that works!
Margie
January 4, 2008, 3:17pm (report abuse)Slaughtering horses is just about enterprise (money). Nothing else. And to have this go on for so many years, in such a brutal manner, well, every citizen of this country should be ashamed at what we have done and are continuing to do. And stop saying it's because of too many, too old, too weak. It's like you want to blame the horse! Blame the human!
Renee
January 4, 2008, 3:38pm (report abuse)Just think, they are healthy, pregnant,foals ,colts. They all deserve a chance at life just like we have, they have the same right to be loved and cared for. If they are old,put them in a rescue to live out their last days how ever long. If sick euthanize them so they have dignity in their death and pass with peace and knowing they were loved.
Mike
January 4, 2008, 3:44pm (report abuse)Larry - Humane, not human
inhuman, not inhuman.
And how come YOU didn't monitor what was going on in those slaughterhouses????????
Marlene
January 4, 2008, 4:13pm (report abuse)S311 will pass the Senate this year. 70 % of the American population want horse slaughter banned and this bill will do just that. I had a yearling Appaloosa "Stolen" from me by deception and resold to a kill buyer. I found him, but he was already dead. He went down in a truck headed for Pennsylvania. I believed lies and Dusty DIED! So, for our friends out their that are concerned about the property rights questions , what happened to my rights to protect my property from death and serious injury. My RIGHTS that are supposedly protected under the law were violated! Now, PASS THE BILL...P L E A S E !!!!!!
Rhonda
January 4, 2008, 4:47pm (report abuse)Please pass this bill and do not allow horses to be slaughtered for food in this country or to be shipped to other countries for this purpose. Horses and other animals have the same capacity to suffer as we do and having an ice pick stuck in your spine until you collapse ( as they do to horses in Mexico) is horrific. Let's send a message that cruelty will not be tolerated--toward humans or other animals.
John
January 4, 2008, 5:52pm (report abuse)Horse slaughter is "legalized" animal cruelty! We need more responsible breeding. Let's stop the brutal murder of all horses!
laura
January 4, 2008, 6:18pm (report abuse)PLEASE educate yourself about this issue. Horse slaughter is not a managed agricultural resource.
It is abuse and neglect for profit.
Transport conditions are absurd.
The meat itself has not been cultivated as a food source and very likely is toxic due to products used throughout the life span of our domestic animals. In Europe they raise horses for food. In the US we do not. Therefore American horses are not even a safe source of food. American horses should be responsibly bred for the American market and then euthanized when no longer wanted, like dogs and cats in this country.
Shelly
January 4, 2008, 6:23pm (report abuse)Instead of spending billions fighting the bill to kill horses, they need to spend that money to go after the ones not taking reponsible care of them!!! People kill horses to prevent HAVING to take care of them! It's time to go after those people who don't care about them, and save our horses from this horrible, horrible end!!!!!!! We don't kill the victims and allow the perpetrators to continue with their daily lives!!! This bill should of been passed a long time ago! Too bad some think money and ribbons, trophies and notoriety is more valuable than life!!!
Gary
January 4, 2008, 6:24pm (report abuse)If this bill passes,the only thing it will do is drop the value of all horses in the U.S..And send all the slaughter horses to Canada and Mexico where there are few if any regulations on how these animals are treated.
Delia Shamoon
January 4, 2008, 6:25pm (report abuse)Please give our horses their right to live. We have to stop that gruesome practice forever. We have to stop foreigners from eating our horses. Also their transport to Mexico and Canada.
Bonnie
January 4, 2008, 6:35pm (report abuse)Horse slaughter has always been about making a dollar, at the expense of the horse. Ending this dishonorable and horrific practice will force the lowest common denominator in the horse world, and all the back yard breeders, to think again.
GARY - I am very sick and tired of explaining S. 311 to the pro-slaughter contingent! AMERICAN HORSES WILL GO NOWHERE TO BE SLAUGHTERED, WHEN ANTI-SLAUGHTER LEGISLATION COMES TO THE FLOOR OF THE U.S. SENATE FOR A VOTE AND IS PASSED BY A LAND SLIDE - and this will happen.
barbw
January 4, 2008, 6:37pm (report abuse)Pass this bill Stop the slaughter and transportation Of Horses to Mexico and Canada for Human consumption overseas. Its inhuman.
Olivia
January 4, 2008, 6:43pm (report abuse)BUC, I seem to remember seeing your name somewhere else! How ARE you, my friend? I noticed, BUC, that you corrected your typo from "boarders" (that's the horses that would still be alive boarding in a stall if it weren't for a few GREEDY people) to "borders" (the geographical lines that need to be CLOSED to our horses being exported for slaughter).
What astounds me is that people who advocate FOR slaughter cite reasons that show ignorance of economics, lack of ethical intelligence (a.k.a. compassion for the slaughtered horses and horror at the terror they endure to satisfy some people's sick craving for money), and lack of common horse sense (the S. 311 supporters who commented ahead of me have already explained why it makes no sense to think that butchering our gentle, generous equine friends is the solution to any perceived problem. GREED and LAZINESS are the causes of their slaughter -- and those are human problems, not horse problems!
Jamie
January 4, 2008, 6:43pm (report abuse)Pass S311 and HR503 this session. It's long overdue and what the majority of the American people want.
Marlene
January 4, 2008, 6:46pm (report abuse)Our American horses deserve protection from slaughter. They help build this country and are part of our history. We must protect them by passing the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.
Sharon Crumb
January 4, 2008, 6:49pm (report abuse)Slaughtering American horses is not the answer. The answer is to stop overbreeding and make people be responsible for their horses when they no longer can keep them, not reward them by allowing them to send them to their brutal death and get paid for doing so. For years, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act has been blocked by Congress from members who have connections to the Cattlemen, AVMA and AQHA. It is time to let these horses (92.3% young, sound and healthy) live their lives out peacefully. It is time for America to step up and help them, not destroy them.
Tarra
January 4, 2008, 6:55pm (report abuse)Why do we have to kill them because irresponsible people cannot make the right choice on whether to breed horses or save them, I belong to a site that rescues horses that have days sometimes a weeks to live... and they know it... help horses in need go to rescuesonly.proboards59.com/index.cgi
Rich Russom
January 4, 2008, 6:55pm (report abuse)Pass S311 & HR503 ALREADY!!! Over 90% of us, you know, the people who elect you, and pay your salaries, are for it!!!
Suzanne
January 4, 2008, 6:59pm (report abuse)Have you seen how these horses are slaughtered? There is not need for horses to be treated this way. Have you ever looked into a horse's eyes and seen the love and trust they have for you? The majority of people haven't so they don't have a clue what these magnificient animals mean to the people that are lucky enough to own one.
If you are curious as to how they slaughter these animals - do a Google search, I'm sure you will find something there to show just how cruel this is.
Please pray that this bill passes!
Lori
January 4, 2008, 7:00pm (report abuse)I would like to ask the people that are not supporting the ban on horse slaughter if you would send your dog or cat to the horrific death of slaughter? That is essentially what you are doing. These horses are domesticated horses and are often family pets that happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I adopted the most beautiful palomino (like Roy Roger's Trigger) that had been pulled from the slaughter pen. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Cowboy. He is well-trained, young and the most loving and sweet horse I have ever had. If it had not been for Another Chance For Horses, he would have been on someone's dinner plate.
Christine
January 4, 2008, 7:04pm (report abuse)Jodi- how sadly misinformed you are! Horse meat hasn't been used in dog food for YEARS. It's far too expensive! Some scrap materials can be bought for zoos, but the entire horse slaughter industry is about HUMAN CONSUMPTION. $18 a pound in France= big money for the export industry. And we line their pockets with our pets and retired performance horses.
Davlyn
January 4, 2008, 7:10pm (report abuse)After reading the comments.. I strongly agree with Sharon Crumb. She said it all. All the others have said what needs to be said. I can't say it any better..The slaughter practice is horrific. Would you all like to see your beloved pet killed in this manner. Or a humane.
Get your heads out of your butt and pockets and do the right thing.
Patience O'Dowd
January 4, 2008, 7:11pm (report abuse)Folks, The Humane Slaughter Act passed back in the fifties is NOT enforced and NOT monitored. Please see the GAO Report to Congress 2004. Livestock are conciously slaughtered. Pneumatic bolt does not knock them out often, punches them,knocks em down, then hung by back leg, skinned alive, feet cut off. Senator Byrd/others trying to get this act funded. Wild animals and pets should not have to go through 28 hrs of transport in mechanized horror to another mechanized horror. Shooting, euthanazia, OK. Vets might offer free euthanasia clinics if they are truly concerned. BTW, this includes Kosher slaughter. Cats/dogs truly over populated, most all cities euthanize 20K/yr. PZP immuno contraception is $33/horse for wild animals. Lets GET IT DONE (though wild horses are NOT overpopulated, rather almost gone with the Bush administration.)
kckellsbells
January 4, 2008, 7:15pm (report abuse)Please pass this bill. These are our friends...NOT livestock. Americans do not serve horsemeat.
Valerie
January 4, 2008, 7:16pm (report abuse)It is absurd that this hasn't been passed already. Anyone who has watched it move forward only to not pass should realize that "special interest" groups are making a mockery of the democratic process. Horses don't belong on anyone's dinner plate. Not Ferdinand, not Barbaro, not Smarty Jones, not Flicka...not any of them.
Colleen
January 4, 2008, 7:25pm (report abuse)1) Slaughtering horses in the United States is un-American, culturally offensive. 2) If there are "dangerous" horses, the breeders, or those who caused them to become dangerous, should humanely euthanize that animal. It is a huge liability to knowingly sell any animal that is not stable or safe to handle.
Tracy Cann
January 4, 2008, 7:26pm (report abuse)Yea, Joyce Jacobson!! All uneducated people read her comment. It addresses your uninformed or misinformed comments. Geeze people, look into the facts before you say something. I agree with Joyce because I've done my research.
Colleen
January 4, 2008, 7:26pm (report abuse)3) We need to stop being force fed the "unwanted horse" argument, there are those that do not know any better who are believing the pro-slaughter faction and thinking it's a "necessary evil", when clearly it's not. 4) Overbreeding by irresponsible people needs to be curtailed. 5) The racing industry needs to not be physically pushing juveniles to their limits and crippling 2-3 year old horses, let them grow up and race a well developed and stronger horse.
RO
January 4, 2008, 7:26pm (report abuse)Please END HORSE SLAUGHTER! It is un-American to slaughter the animals who helped us build a Nation.
Jenny
January 4, 2008, 7:26pm (report abuse)Please pass the bills now. Horses are not livestock...they are honorable, trusting and loving companion animals.
Michelle
January 4, 2008, 7:26pm (report abuse)There are MANY REASONS we should BAN horse slaughter! And every one of these reasons are based on SOLID FACTS that prove horse slaughter is incredibly cruel, inhumane and sickening. FOREIGN BUSINESS making BIG BUCKS off our young, healthy, sound, pregnant horses have been able to keep this a "dirty little secret" from most of America for years. BUT NO MORE...THE SECRET IS OUT AND WE WILL FIGHT TO SAVE OUR HORSES. We domesticated them and taught them to trust us - and then we commit the worst act of betrayal?! We own a young, beautiful palomino paint mare pulled from a killpen, and she beautiful, kind and loving. The pro-slaughter forces are "feeding" Americans LIES!!! PLEASE CALL your representatives in Congress and ask them to support Bills HR503 and S311 to BAN horse slaughter! This is what the vast majority of America wants!
Colleen
January 4, 2008, 7:29pm (report abuse)6) People should not be afraid of humane euthanasia performed by a veterinarian. Stop saying "I love Flicka and want to give him to someone who will appreciate her". Folks listen up, when Flicka is 24 years old, and cannot hold up for your work load, retire him yourself or euthanize him. It's quick, painless and kind. If she's having trouble maintaining a good body condition, and you've exhausted options, then don't you think it's time? Do the right thing folks! Call your vet, call the rendering company or a backhoe operator and let Flicka be laid to rest peacefully, with dignity, surrounding by people who care.
Colleen
January 4, 2008, 7:30pm (report abuse)7) Find out who your local equine humane organization is and support them. They are the ones facilitating seizures for law enforcement, when true cases of animal cruelty are investigated. 9 times out of 10, the police cannot offer funds to support the care of impounded horses, and the rescue is put into an awkward position, where they can either walk away and let the horses suffer, or they take them in, assume all responsibility for expenses and exhaust their limited resources.
Jane
January 4, 2008, 7:30pm (report abuse)Horse slaughter and the transport of horses across our borders to slaughter needs to end. It has never been humane....is is the ultimate betrayal of a companion animal. Most americans want horse slaughter to end. I think that our Senators and Representatives are there to do what we ask...what the majority wants....and the majority demands that HR 503 and S-311 be passed. Let the pro slaughter groups like the American Quarter Horse Association cry in their cowboy hats!!! Mabye they will start trying to be responsible horse owners and breeders for once.
Val Davidoff
January 4, 2008, 7:34pm (report abuse)There is footage out there of the shocking way a horse is slaughtered.. Is that abominable horror not enough for us that we need to keep debating?? That must be the worst thing I've ever seen. For those who still oppose S. 311, please take a moment to see a video of horse slaughter... DO NOT bring your kids!!! We're talking Middle Ages cruelty..
B. Sario
January 4, 2008, 7:35pm (report abuse)This bill needs to be passed immediately. People who abuse horses will continue to abuse horses no matter whether there is slaughter or not. The slaughter houses exist ONLY to provide cheap meat (to the slaughter houses) that they can in turn pass on with huge profits to their overseas customers. The slaughter houses have never existed to help take care of unwanted horses. The supply of horses going to slaughter is directly proportional to the demand. If people in Europe decided not to eat horsemeat the companies would be gone in a split second.
We don't eat our horses--why should the Europeans eat them?
Cheryl
January 4, 2008, 7:39pm (report abuse)Horse slaughter is inhumane.For the person who said that horses are an agricultural commodity while people are starving in Africa... horsemeat doesn't feed the poor and the starving. It feeds the rich, and only the slaughterhouse owners make the profit. Stop breeding horses for the hell of it, and be responsible. Then you will not have to complain about your horses starving because you can not afford to feed them. Be responsible for what you let come into this world.
Karen Madison WI
January 4, 2008, 7:39pm (report abuse)I support this bill. Transport to horse slaugher houses across the borders is inhumane and needs to be outlawed. Horse slaughter is banned in the US, finally. Without the passage of this bill, many healthly ex-pets are subjected to horrible deaths that most unsuspecting owners would cringe if they only new.
It is a shame that AVMA and AQHA have been bought out by lobbies, seeking to pad each others pockets.
Same on us until this bill is passed.
Deb McWilliams
January 4, 2008, 7:41pm (report abuse)Our representatives must understand the majority of Americans who learn of the horror and cruelty American Icons go through in the slaughter houses in Mexico and Canda are apalled and disgusted. These foreign plants do nothing to support our economy or our way of life. To vote against S311 is to vote against American heritage and the heart of the American public.
Sharon
January 4, 2008, 7:43pm (report abuse)I have seen a lot of footage showing horses being slaughtered and it is a disgrace. We need to pass this bill and stop the slaughtering of the horses. I have been a horse lover since I was little and I do not like the fact that the horses are being killed for the people overseas. This is inhumane and it needs to stop for good. Horses are a part of history and we need to leave it as that.
Mari
January 4, 2008, 7:47pm (report abuse)To Brian!!
Our ever increasing population is our problem, not the horses' problem!!
The most invasive species on this planet is mankind. Next you will suggest we also eat our dogs and cats.
Cora Adelizzi - IL
January 4, 2008, 7:49pm (report abuse)Horse slaughter as well as transport for slaughter must be permanently banned in this country.
There is nothing humane about the way they are transported in double decker trailers or in the way they are hung by one leg and skinned while still conscious. That is NOT humane euthanasia by any means.
Americans do not eat horse meat. What people in other countries do is their business, but American horses are OUR business and they should not be slaughtered in order to wind up as the dinner of some wealthy person overseas.
Kristen
January 4, 2008, 7:51pm (report abuse)Hooray for Joyce Jacobson's comment!!!!! RIGHT ON THE MARK. And for the person who commented that the "crazy" horses need to be slaughtered to protect our children, have you been to a kill sale lately or even bought a horse from one? Sane, safe and sound horses are there as well. Not too different from buying from a private buyer. Sorry.
Gail
January 4, 2008, 7:57pm (report abuse)To Our Congress,
HR 503 and S. 311 are supported by both the majority of American citizens as well as the majority of Congress.
These bills deserve the right to legislative due process. American citizens (who I might remind you are the VOTERS who put you in office) deserve the right to legislative due process!
Please allow our respective Congressmen & Congresswomen to cast our vote on this important issue.
Let the will of the People be done! The majority of Americans want our horses protected from slaughter. Lets get the bills to the Floor and get this important legislation passed!
Gail Vacca
Thoroughbred Racehorse Trainer
Wilmington, IL.
Ernie
January 4, 2008, 8:08pm (report abuse)End horse slaughter now! It is inhumane and un-American!
John Holland
January 4, 2008, 8:15pm (report abuse)This bill is being blocked by Senator Larry Craig on the basis of completely fabricated stories about horses being abandoned. It is high time it get passed into law.
Ann Marini
January 4, 2008, 8:18pm (report abuse)Horse slaughter is disgusting and unnecessary. Most of the horses that are sent to slaughter are NOT dangerous; over 90% of the horses are sound. There are too many breeders who are engaging in over-breeding and are not being held responsible or accountable for the horses they breed.
Our American horses do not deserve to be brutally murdered by ruthless and cruel people who only care about one thing: THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR.
We must take back our country. The majority of Americans want horse slaughter to end. The democratic process must be restored. Our representatives and Senators represent us: The American People. We the People want slaughter to end. For the People, By the People and Of the People. The cruelty MUST END. Horses and burros enjoyed protected status for over 30 years. We need to restore this protective status.
Randy
January 4, 2008, 8:24pm (report abuse)I don't really think that human consumption of horses is really necessary, don't we have enough meat to eat here in America? The stats say that America is overweight as an average anyway.
D
January 4, 2008, 8:30pm (report abuse)It’s time the 110th congress does the right thing. As an American, we must protect an American Icon. The Slaughter of our Horses has gone on far too long and the TRUTH is out… Our slaughter bound horses are NOT the old and infirmed but young and healthy horses slaughtered for the sole purpose of human consumption overseas.
How can the greatest Nation on this earth continue to turn away? It’s time to do the right thing!
Lori Yeilding
January 4, 2008, 8:34pm (report abuse)Attention Pro-Slaughter people,
Please get your economic facts straight!!!!
American Horses Slaughter is being driven by a demand in Europe so rich European creeps can dine on fancy horsemeat, it is not a result of abandoned horses. This atrocity of our American Horses must stop NOW!!!!
Barb AZ
January 4, 2008, 8:36pm (report abuse)Some of the Big Guns here, AVMA, AAEP, and AQHA are responsible for NOT getting this bill passed. We need to STOP the slaughter of our horses. Let's get S 311 to the floor and get it passed!
Carl
January 4, 2008, 8:38pm (report abuse)It is TIME we stop the transport of horses to Mexico and Canada for the purpose of slaughter. We shut down the 3 slaughter houses, and we didn't do that for no reason. We want slaughtering of horses to stop, and we want the OWNERS of horses to assume responsibility of end of life decisions. Hopefully, they will put them down humanely.
Mattie
January 4, 2008, 8:41pm (report abuse)Wonder why we have an overpopulation of horses?
They dont put horse meat in dog food anymore. America needs to wake up and stop breeding for a perfect horse. Foreigners are the ones who GAIN in this situation. All Canadian plants send our horse meat to foreign coutries for human eating. Politicians are in denial that this is REALLY going on. 90% of the horse meat from B.C. slaughter plant is shipped to Japan. Look at the revenue this country loses by sending to slaughter. Horses are smart animals, its the humans who need to wise up and use the horses in a more useful way and generate revenue for the horse world. We need proper rendering plants, and disposal of these great creatures. Killing babies 6 months old? What kind of sickos do that? sick people have the attitude 'ITS JUST A HORSE, TO MAKE GLUE." This country has to change its attitude on how we treat our animals. Who is it that is suppose to take care of these animals? Some people just DONT GET IT.
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