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H.R. 503, 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 (227 comments ↓)
- This item is from the 109th Congress (2005-2006) and is no longer current. Comments, voting, and wiki editing have been disabled, and the cost/savings estimate has been frozen.
H.R. 503 would amend provisions of the Horse Protection Act of 1970 related to the slaughter of certain equines. The bill would establish a pilot program in Kentucky and New York to prohibit certain activities associated with the slaughter of horses or other equines for human consumption. Due to exceptions included in the bill, this prohibition would not directly affect current equine slaughter activity in those or other states. The bill also would require the Secretary of Agriculture, subject to availability of appropriated funds, to compensate equine owners for any economic loss due to such prohibitions. In addition, the Secretary would be required to assume responsibility for any equine-in any state-that is unwanted by an owner.
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Visitor Comments 
Margaret
September 5, 2006, 5:49pm (report abuse)STOP the Slaughter! This is inhumane.
The slaughter houses in this country are owned by other countries who pay almost nothing in taxes to the US. Yet, we allow them to come here and butcher our horses.
Learn about the STOP BOLT. This device will sicken you.
Do you want to eat a Kentucky Derby Champ for dinner? This is WHAT happened to Ferdinad. He was butchered and the meat sent to France. The restaurant advertised how you could dine on a Kentucky Derby Champ for dinner.
Responsible breeding equals responsible horse ownership. Stop the Slaughter!
Ondine
September 5, 2006, 6:37pm (report abuse)Special interests and the strong arm donations of lobbyists have, through lies and payoffs, continued the shameful abuse and butchery of the American horse. Call your representative to vote for H.R. 503 and stop this cruel treatment of a beloved American icon.
dfromJersey
September 5, 2006, 6:42pm (report abuse)Has anyone considered that horses are frequently given medications for their well-being (dewormers, etc.) that are clearly labeled "not to be used in animals intended for human consumption." Many of these equine drugs are carcinogenic when ingested by humans. What are these slaughter houses thinking? Horses are companion animals like dogs or cats, not food animals. Will we be sending our pets to Europe to end up on someone's dinner plate next?
Cathy McElroy
September 5, 2006, 6:49pm (report abuse)Your little blurb on the bill is incorrect. The bill itself does not establish pilot programs, etc.
The bill itself stops horse slaughter for human consumption. All the other add ons are amendments which I hope are not included as this dilutes the purpose of HR503. I feel you are misrepresenting HR503.
Otherlyn
September 5, 2006, 8:30pm (report abuse)Ronal Reagan said,
"...there's nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse."
When it comes to voting for the cruel and inhumane treatment, transport of American equine companion animals to support the greedy lasivious practice of consumption of horseflesh;
or to vote to stop this heartless, and frankly un-American-like activity, I have only one thing to ask:
W.W.R.D?...What Would Reagan Do?
Tracie
September 5, 2006, 8:39pm (report abuse)STOP THE SLAUGHTER!!!!
Our brave horses helped to build this country. Many that end up in these horrid places are stolen!!!
When slaughterhouses are outlawed, we won't have to worry that a beloved family animal has been murdered!!!!
Webmaster
September 5, 2006, 10:31pm (report abuse)@Cathy McElroy: The summary of the bill is copied verbatim (or nearly so) from the Congressional Budget Office estimate. (See the "Analysis" link above.) That summary may be incorrect. Your comments put visitors on notice of the fact. Please feel free to expand on your criticism of the summary in further comments.
Marybeth
September 6, 2006, 3:54pm (report abuse)HR 503 stops the transport of horses for slaughter, thus effectively ending slaughter. Period.
HR 550 was diluted by meat industry lobbyist-influenced "poison pill" amendments (the 'pilot program' and compensation for so-called economic loss.)
WHY DID YOU REPORT THESE POISON PILL AMENDMENTS AS IF THEY ARE ACTUALLY THE INTENTION OF THE BILL?
Maribel
September 6, 2006, 5:11pm (report abuse)This practice is now politically incorrect and shows a complete lack of all conscience and needs to be ended.If we do not pass HR503 we sre presenting a double standard on the world stage.On the one hand we are a supposedly caring nation and on the other hand we are slaughtering and eating are pets for dinner????? WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT FOLKS !!!!THE WORLD IS FOLLOWING OUR LEAD ON HUMANE ISSUES !!!! VOTE YES TO BILL HR503...SHOW THE WORLD COMMUNITY WE DO HAVE A HEART !!!!
Linda
September 6, 2006, 8:31pm (report abuse)There is nothing humane about slaughter. Just watch the video of how it is done. The treatment of these creatures is an abomination. We tell the world we are civilized and then brutally murder the creatures that helped us fight wars, populate cities and carried us so we could colonize. We owe them! THIS BILL MUST PASS IF WE ARE TO RETAIN OUR HUMANITY!
Socorro Seela
September 7, 2006, 1:24am (report abuse)PLEASE STOP the HORSE SLAUGHTERING!
It is cruel. If it is about money, make the owners responsible, not the horses, It is not there fault we are irresponsible humans.
The United States (US) is being looked at on this issue all over the world and will be judged the outcome. Americans are not cruel! Please don't send that message and find it in your heart to help these sweet creatures.
College Kid
September 7, 2006, 3:18pm (report abuse)To all of you out there who think slaughter is inhumane just think what will happen when if it doesn't go through. Many horses will be turned out in the back forty to fend for themselves and most likely starve. There's not enough acres in this country for those of you who want to rescue these neglected horses. And what about the horses who are dangerous, what's your plan for them? It's time to stop living in the dream world and start looking at this thing with some sense and reality. Hate me if you want, I don't care, i fully support horse slaughter.
James Harper
September 7, 2006, 8:01pm (report abuse)Again the unknowing try to lead with their hearts.As a horse LOVER and owner for over 40 years I know that there is a need for a outlet for some horses and slaughter is the best answer.In this country we hear from environmentalist and animal rights groups about the wast of our natural resources,horses are another of these resources so tell me what are we to do with all the unwanted
crippled,and dangerous horses out here?
George
September 7, 2006, 9:12pm (report abuse)To CollegeKid and James Harper, and all...
There are humane ways to end a horses life...a slaughterhouse is not the way to do it.
The better option is euthanizing a horse, at home. It costs about $220 per horse, about what it costs to own a horse every month.
Knowing this, who would want to see this other (inhumane) option to prosper?
The answer is the 3 foreign owned slaughterhouses in the US. They pay few taxes, employee few, and send American horsemeat to france and other countries.
The sad fact is, most of these horses are in good condition,many are stolen from their righful owners, and a small amount are actual American wild horses which are protected under law since 1971.
The continued operation of these 3 slaughterhouses, and their support by certain polticians, is proof that foreign corporations can exert undue influence in American business.
And if you think this good business or that this is humane in some sick way...you are very,very mistaken.
Vincent
September 8, 2006, 7:14am (report abuse)Are there no issues the Congress need to deal with that are more urgent than this??
J H
September 8, 2006, 8:33am (report abuse)Just as the wild horse and burro act is bad law so is this. look at the MILLIONS of dollars of our tax money which could be spent on the homeless,medical care and other needs of people instead of thousands of wild horses being held at holding sites which will never go anywhere until they die,and this bill will just compound the problem. We need to think with our heads not just our hearts. Yes there needs to be changes in transporting these horses ect. but a slaugther ban is not the answer
Barbara
September 8, 2006, 11:00am (report abuse)I have owned horses for years, and had to deal with them getting so old that they were suffering, and dealt with ones born with severe problems, mental and physical, and also those who have had tragic accidents. These are the horses that need to be euthanized. If we euthanize them at home, where do you bury 80,000.00 horses per year? In our county, are rules prohibiting burial just anywhere. What about the ground water? These are large farm animals, and can be humanely put down in a slaughterhouse. Eating them is not an option due to the chemicals in their systems, but as farm animals (that we also love), they can be useful even in death.
Louisa
September 8, 2006, 1:19pm (report abuse)It passed!!!!!!! If anyone bothers to do the research, horses that are humanely put down via euthanasia, can still be rendered. Gory, but parts of them can still be recycled. There will hardly be bodies piling up! LOL! Most horses slaughtered in this country are not safe to eat ANYWAY, because we don't raise them for food. We raise them as pets, so they have shots and demworming paste, etc. When stolen or discarded horses end up at a slaughtering plant, that slaughter house does not know where that horse has been or what it has ingested. We could be poisoning people around the world with our horsemeat. As a general population, we don't eat horse meat, so why the heck should we slaughter them? It's inhumane, it's unsafe and it's only still happening because of ignorance and special interests. Let's get this bill passed in the senate!
Shannon
September 8, 2006, 2:20pm (report abuse)What i find sad is that the majority of supporters for the HR 503 bill don't care about much except passing this bill. If you trully care about the horses and their well being then care about solving the problem. Stop and look at the whole picture beyond your own personnel emotionals. There is a way to end all of this. Think about this- The day there are no more unwanted horses is the day the slaughter houses will have to close because there will be no need. Society can't walk around and make the slaughter houses out to be the bad guys when it is society that keeps providing them with what they need. What is going to happen when we ban slaughter, keep breeding, $ value of the horse is lost, and no homes are to be found. The horse will not of gained anything. So society must come together to solve the problem. Which is that there are to many horse!
misty
September 8, 2006, 7:11pm (report abuse)i breed raise and show american quarter horses ..im wondering how many of you that are commenting on this site actually live on a farm ..horses are livestock animals first and foremost ..some people like to eat them just like we eat beef pork and poultry..what should we do with all of the "junk " horses that people have backyard bred and raised and cant even get 50 bucks out of at a sale ..i live in the midwest and right now horses are a dime a dozen ..the slaughter houses set the price per pound on a horse which gives us a base price to sell our horses from without it we lose the value of our stock ..whats next save the pig or dont let them kill our friends the beef cow...come on lets look at reality
RonaldJohnson
September 8, 2006, 10:20pm (report abuse)Horse.meat.is.delicious.
Horses.are.farm.animals.period.
If.its.OK.to.kill.them...Its.wrong.not.to.utilize.the.meat.
I.own.horses.I.work.with.horses.everyday.
When.they.get.old.and.sick,.....Sell.them.to.the.French.
Mmmm.Eat.and.Enjoy.
Charliefrom mass
September 8, 2006, 10:24pm (report abuse)Look what is next not killing the cows or the chickens? While we do not eat Horses you must remeber it is a true waste in this time of world hunger to take a thousand pounds of nutrition and bury it in the ground to rot. Also the export of horse flesh helps our national debt with the nations of europe. Lets face it we need to send them something in trade for all the over priced wine and cheese we buy. Is it not a true crime to take away income from farmers in this day and age? As for special interests perhaps the financing of the lobbying for this bill should be looked into. Is it just a way to retaliate for the europeans not supporting our war? You do not support us so go and get your horse meat else where. The bolt is not perfect but it is the most humane method with out tainting the meat for consumtion. Did you know rabbits are raised for food too? Perhaps that should be banned?
Charlie from mass
September 8, 2006, 10:26pm (report abuse)Oxen also helped build this nation. Maybe even more so then the horse. Will we ban beef due toi that fact?
Bill
September 10, 2006, 4:12am (report abuse)Egads! Have any of you folks pushing this bill read it. It will cost the taxpayers $233,000,000 ( a modest projection I think) to pay owners NOT to slaughter their horses and for the horses to become "wards of the state". Horses are animals that should be treated humanely, including the processing plant, but that's all they are... just like cows, chickens, pigs, and the millions of dogs and cats we kill each year in this country to keep from being over run with them.
Take a deep breath folks, and quit encouraging our Congress to pass laws that dig the hole under our personal rights even more.
Roger Evans
September 11, 2006, 4:48pm (report abuse)One question! It is truly upsetting when congress will vote in favor of abortion, but we can not process horses. So it is O.K. to kill unwanted children, but for heavens sake not a horse. Some of you people have your priorities mixed up.
Traci
September 11, 2006, 7:00pm (report abuse)Please think about this where will all the unwanted horses and even wanted horse (but owners can not feed them) What will people do they will turn them loose just like what happened to the Emus. People will be hitting them with cars (killing inicent people) They will become a nucense and will be shot and killed anyhow so why drag it out for them. Slaughter is not a bad thing it is the food chain. I do not eat horse meat but some people do and they really like it that is their right, by passing this law you will be taking yet another right from people. Please thing about this and vote this bill down.
Toni
September 11, 2006, 7:25pm (report abuse)VOTE NO!!! Slaughter of horses is better than watching them starve to death in someone's field. Economically we cannot prohibit the slaughter of horses it will kill the horse industry and cost millions.
JJDallas
September 12, 2006, 2:26pm (report abuse)The current horse population of the U.S. is 9 million of which 900,000 die of natural causes each year. So, we are only talking about 1% of our horse population. The passage of S.1915 will take away the option of "dumping" horses at the slaughterhouses like yesterday's trash, and will make horse owners accept the responsibility for their horses. As Americans we do not raise horses for food, and we do not eat horse flesh. We consider horses our pets and companions just as we do our dogs and cats. 92.5% of all horses sent to the slaughterhouses are young, healthy horses with nothing wrong with them. "Killer" buyers buy these horses at auction promising the previous owner that they have found a good, loving home for their horses. Then he hauls them to the slaughterhouse to be killed. The slaughter industry is cruel, inhumane, and operates in a predatory and dishonest way. They should be closed down immediately.
Horse owner
September 12, 2006, 5:51pm (report abuse)Odd that it will be legal to kill your unborn baby for next to nothing but you will not be able to make the decision on how to get rid of your own animal. Next it will be cattle, pig slaughter that you liberal will go after. Why is it any different? What is going to happen to all these unwanted horses? Many will still be sold for horse slaughter. They will just end up going to Canada or Mexico where they have a lot less restrictions. What is the difference between harvesting a person's organs and using the remains of a horse? Let's be sensible and reasonable and keep horse slaughter legal.
Ranch in Oregon
September 12, 2006, 5:57pm (report abuse)Slaughter is horribly inhumane. There are lots of rescues to take horses that people don't want. Horses are definately rotting away in pastures with slaughter going on, it doesn't solve the problem of horses starving to death. A horse that is starving to death is not what a slaughter house wants for meat anyway, they want a horse with MEAT on it. Older kid-broke horses, ex-race horses, off-spring of PMU mares, these are horses you find at the feedlots waiting for the slaughter trucks. These are not just nearly-dead-anyway horses. They are horses who were unlucky enough to end up with an owner who either is too naive about the buyers at auction or who doesn't care where their animal ends up. There are many ways to end one's ownership of a horse if a person can't afford it anymore. Rescues will take horses that they know just need to be put down, therapy programs will take unwanted horses, rescues of all kinds for every breed and area will take horses with no usefulness left. They don't have to go to slaughter. Slaughter is inhumane even for cattle, and I don't even like cows. But like someone else pointed out, we raise horses to be our family, not to eat. If we stop slaughter, it would require good laws for horse owners and might help curb abuse/neglect. It would put horses on a higher level than cattle. I don't see how it could ruin the horse industry. Anyone breeding horses for riding is not going to miss out on buyers because of no slaughter, that doesn't even make sense. Just visit http://www.columbiabasinequinerescue.org/DEF-Home.asp to read some info and see a slide show. This is a rescue pulling horses out of the slaughter line. Do these look like a threat to a high-class horse breeder? I don't know where everyone lives, but there is plenty of room for horses. The fear of running out of horse land is a good motivation to be careful in your breeding. It's not a good reason to promote killing off the excess. No one is there quality controlling the slaughter horses. They are not just the scum of the horse population, there are beautiful talented horses going to slaughter. There are many unfounded fears and ungrounded opinions reflected in the comments on this bill.
J H
September 12, 2006, 8:20pm (report abuse)JJ Dallas and Ranch in Oregon, First horses ARE livestock, they are not pets like dogs and cats altho the media thru movies ect. over the years have romanticized horses to the point some think they are the same as our kids. I have had horses for over fourty years,we do become very attached to them .We use our horses for many things from working cows to riding for pleasure. We show western,english,my wife shows dressage,and we also show Draft horses in harness. Over the years I have had the privilege of working with some great horses.I have also over the years lost or put down some of my favorites and I have also shipped a fair number to the killers.I do not belive most people selling thru a livestock sale are ignorant of the fact that a good percentage of the horses sold there are going to slaughter.If one does not want their horse to end up there they should sell privately where they have more control over who ends up with their horse. As for the horse rescues the one thing I see they have in common with each other is their begging for money.They never seem to have enough to care for what they have now,so lets throw another 80,000 or so on their door step. This law is not needed,the goverment needs to let people make up their own minds of the best way to dispose of their own property.
Paul
September 12, 2006, 11:27pm (report abuse)The bill passed! Shame on our Representatives. These are serious times with serious issues - none of which Congress is willing to address.
John
September 13, 2006, 6:11am (report abuse)I say everyone who is for this bill should have to take in these 20 year old or crippled or arthritic horses and pay to keep them alive then pay to have them euthanizerd after spending $5,000/year to fulfill their special needs. Instead of humanely putting them out of there suffering and providing food to starving countries all over the world. What's next, cow slaughter ban?
Kathy
September 14, 2006, 1:53pm (report abuse)This is not a black or white issue! The "Disney mindset" that so many people have certainly makes it seem crimimal to put "my little pony" down. The horses I've seen sent to slaughter were crazy dangerous, or lame. There aren't enough rescue operations anywhere that can handle the number of horses that would be left homeless.
Personally, I'd rather see a sterilization campaign to stop indescriminate horse breeding! Horse overpopulation is as destructive as that of cats and dogs, the slaughter industry is merely keeping a lid on the problem of surpluse population. Just two years of no slaughter this country will be swimming in loose horses! I have three horses, and it's all I can do to take care of them! The cost of feed and farrier is reasonable in our area, so they will be with me all their lives. But I won't take on another horse as long as they live because of the time and expense of taking proper care of them.
Its not like having a cat, where you put down food once a day and clean the litter box once a week! Keeping horses is a lifetime commitment of time, energy and money. Humane slaughter is an unpleasant but necessary fact of life. If the anti-cruelty laws were ENFORCED, there wouldn't be such a fuss. Besides, this only affects horses for human consumption, the dog food factories may make up the difference.
Charmaine
September 14, 2006, 3:50pm (report abuse)The U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics show that 86,776 American horses were slaughtered in 2005 alone at three American-based, Belgian-owned slaughterhouse’s, and at three in Canada for human consumption abroad. Most horses arrive at the slaughterhouse via livestock auctions where, often unknown to the seller, they are bought by middlemen working for the slaughter plants. These so-called "killer buyers" travel from one auction to the next collecting young, old, sick, and many healthy and lovely, useful horses and ponies until their trucks are full. Some are shipped for more than 24 hours at a time without food, water or rest. Fighting and injuries are common. Callous treatment at the slaughterhouse often results in prolonged suffering. The horses stand in line smelling the blood, sensing the terror. They are electrocuted or speared into the “kill box” where they shake violently, falling, unable to stand from fear. They are repeatedly bludgeoned with the “captive bolt” gun which drives a four-inch spike into their skull, rendering the horse not dead, but unconscious. Alive and many times still conscious, the horse is then shackled, hoisted, throats slit, bled, and dismembered.
During the House Committee hearings for both the Energy & Commerce Committee, as well as the Agriculture Committee held this past July 25th & 27th, respectively, there were comments made regarding the idea that passing H.R. 503 would result in financial hardships due to an increase in abuse & neglect of our horses, as well as the idea that removing slaughter as an option would result “in a fate worse than death,” namely mass abandonment & cruelty. However, nearly 280,000 fewer horses were slaughtered in the U.S. in 2005 than in 1989, and there were no significant increases in the number of horses being exported to Mexico and Canada for slaughter – so where are they hiding? In 1998, California was successful in abolishing this horrific practice from their state with an overwhelming 5 million votes (60%), and actually saw a decrease of 34% in neglect & abuse cases of horses, as well as a marked decrease in stolen horses throughout the state immediately following the passage of the Bill. Today, the number of abuse & neglect cases in the state has continued to diminish. The idea that slaughter is humane euthanasia was also presented during committee testimony, this is absolutely not the case, and it cannot be regulated to be humane. I would challenge anyone to witness what actually happens to these animals during transport, as well as at the slaughter plant before they state this as fact. One important item absent from committee testimony was that the widespread use of pharmaceuticals & antibiotics given to horses “not prescribed for food animals” renders American horsemeat potentially dangerous to human health. And lastly, those that presented testimony in opposition of the Bill in July, stated that most of the horses that go to slaughter are either dangerous, sick, lame, or old – this couldn’t be further from the truth. The fact is, an overwhelming 90% of the horses who end up at slaughterhouses are young, healthy horses, pregnant mares, foals still nursing at their mother’s side, race horses that were just too slow, or those with mild health problems that could easily be dealt with by a loving adoptive owner –if given the chance.
Horses are acquired for slaughter without disclosure from the buyer, contributing to both consumer fraud, and horse theft. Many of these horses are faithful & trusting pets, whose owners unknowingly sell their horses at auctions to killer buyers, unaware of what their fate is. Such was the case of Kojak, the noble white Lipizzaner who was abandoned by his owners at the stable where he was kept, only to find himself at a cattle auction to be bought by killer buyers & sent to slaughter – there are only 3,000 Lippizan’s left in the entire world! Thankfully, he was saved by a loving family thru a series of emails between individual’s in Colorado & California in an effort to save him before being purchased by killer buyers. And Jill Henneberg, USET 1996 Olympic Silver Medallist, who said, “I bought Nirvana for $600, her meat price, and she took me all the way to the Olympics. I won the medal for my country on a slaughter horse. I wouldn’t take a million dollars for her today.”
There are many sound alternatives to this killing. Some horses will surely need to be humanely euthanized (not to be confused with their violent, terrifying, slaughter), but many others can be given new lives – many thousands killed yearly are young, healthy horses who could lead happy, useful lives. These alternatives include: donating or leasing to an equine rescue organization, police or park departments, private riding schools, therapeutic/Equine Assisted Psychotherapy riding programs; prison inmate training programs, vet schools, pony clubs, and private sale or leasing to individuals with proper references, to mention just a few. There are at least 240 rescue and retraining organizations in the U.S. saving horses today.
As you are aware, H.R. 503 would prohibit the trade and transport of both wild and domestic live horses and horseflesh intended for human consumption. Containing both domestic and international trade provisions, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act will end this atrocious and horrific trade for good, not send it over the border or further abroad. My hope is that the original version of H.R. 503 will be approved overwhelmingly on the House Floor in September, when the House reconvenes.
Americans do not eat horses. We do not raise them for food. They carry us to victory in the Olympics; they carry our children, and our police. Obviously, the history of the United States would be quite different if there were no horses in America. Horses, ponies, donkeys, burros and mules have played crucial roles and have long been a symbol of America, our precious freedom and the West. Important roles horses have played include them acting as farm laborer, transporter, soldier, law enforcement mount, pioneer, pack animal, handicapped riding teacher, entertainer, status symbol, symbol of the west, income producer, trusted companion, and our beloved pets. It was, upon the backs of these great and noble steeds, that our forefather’s staked claim to the lands that would become our earliest communities, and upon which the horse enabled these 18th century communities to prosper & flourish. I ask you, where would we be today without them? And, how can we allow such atrocities to continue against such an important part of our history? Although our dogs & cats are protected from this torturous extermination, the loyal “companion” who carried Paul Revere, pulled our wagons & plows, an enabled man to forge west is being secretly slaughtered to feed a foreign meat market of the wealthy for $15 a pound, certainly not the starving masses, as some would have the public believe.
According to a national poll, 93% of Americans want horse slaughter stopped.
animal owner
September 18, 2006, 3:47pm (report abuse)Horses were eaten during the World War's and before and possibly even today in the US. 93% of american's don't have a clue about farm life or even what they are eating, if they knew the poor little calf is what is really on their table they'd be having a fit about that too. OH and btw, the majority of those 93% said they would rather see horses slaughtered as starved to death. Horses are livestock and the unwanted can and do provide meat. Do you know about the over crowding problem of dogs and cats? We get dogs and cats dumped on us all the time and the shelters won't take them, why, because they are overflowing with unwanted pets, what do you suggest we do with them. Feed them all before we feed our children? People who are dumping those dogs and cats are from the towns and cities who can't or won't take care of the animals they created and they think they will set the animal free or the person in that house will feed them, when all they are doing is burdening the land owner. Who btw euthanize them, not in a way you think either, now that's nice, make us pay financially, emotionally and physically for the death and the burial of a problem YOU created just so you don't have to think about it. Now who's avoiding their responsiblilty? Horses will be more of a problem because they are bigger and people will dump them, there are enough remote places to dump a horse without being seen, if you don't think it will happen you aren't living in the real world. Take a lesson from the dog and cat problem, fix that one before you go and create more.
Charmaine
September 19, 2006, 8:30am (report abuse)If you are so naive to think that all the horses being slaughtered are those that are unwanted, and from an excess of horses that need to be slaughtered - think AGAIN! The highest rate of horse theft is in guess which state? Texas - where two of the slaughterhouses are housed. Theft is such a problem in Texas, that unless you can afford a 24 hour watch guard, your horse is going to get stolen for the slaughterhouses. Are you also aware of how many horses are imported into the US for slaughter??? I suggest you stop bolstering such untruths until you do a little more research.
animal owner
September 19, 2006, 8:58am (report abuse)I think it is you who has their facts twisted. People can make polls and studies come out however they want, I have done my research, what I've seen and lived contradicts what you say. It's all in WHO you want to believe.
J H
September 19, 2006, 4:19pm (report abuse)Charmaine,Like so many in this country you want to put horses on the same level as people,alas horses are LIVESTOCK... You talk about the terror they experience in the slaughter process,do you really think it is any less terrifying for cows,sheep, pigs,goats ,rabbits,ducks ect? This bill if passed will become another tax drain on all Americans. Also if this is such a good law why does the avma and the AQHA to name just two oppose passage? As anyone who has ever owned a horse buying it is the cheepest part of having a horse,I should know as I have 23 at this time. Again no one has told me where all the excess horses are going to go.We already have holding pens full of wild horses that can't get a home.And speaking of wild horses, my wife has worked at a livestock sale for the last 16 years,and we have seen a lot of horses come thru with neck freeze brands, wild horses that have been adopted by good people who then found out you can't tame them in 24 hours or feed them for the same as their pet dog and cat.
Shannon
September 20, 2006, 6:30pm (report abuse)J H makes a very good point about how NO ONE wants to say where these unwanted horses are going to go. As i read through the comments i find it hard that everyone that supports this bill doesn't look at the whole picture. As far as these unwanted horse going to rescue facilities- where is the money going to come from? I find it disturbing that these rescue facilities aren't regulated and also that a lot of rescue facilities BREED to help raise money to support their cause. I don't understand why they would want to further the problem of having so many unwanted horses. As far as donating them to a therapy program- not likely. I am the director of a therapeutic riding program and 99% of the horses that folks want to donate are NOT rideable or useable. Programs do not want young unbroke horse- they want dead broke anyone can ride horses. Those kind of horses have homes. We do not want the crippled, lame, young, old, or needs training type horses. They are of no use to therapy programs. I am so fed up with the animal rights groups. They never want to look at the whole picture. The problems need to be addresses before you take away a solution. These animal right groups/people walk around and say what they want. They make people feel like they don't care if they don't support their ideas and ways and say that people are narrow minded. I always thought being narrow minded meant only looking at something one way and only their way. There are a lot of folks out there that love their horses and would not send them to slaughter that are against this bill! I think people keep asking what's going to happen to all of these horses and who's going to pay for them? I know i much rather put our tax dollars towards our homeless, our elderly, our childrens education, and so on than feeding thousands of unwanted horses. So i feel this bill should not even be an issue until these animal right groups can pass laws and have the funding in each state to support the mass disaster this is going to create. Self interest groups are so good at starting an issue, getting laws passed and then you never hear from them again! It is our american right to choose how we will dispose of our animals. Horses are not dogs or cats and there for should not be catorgies as household pets. As statistics show the #1 sport that has the most injuries is EQUESTRIAN. Not hockey, football, boxing but equestrian. It goes to show just about anyone can own a dog or a cat and it's probally not going to hurt or even kill you but you must be knowledgeable when owning horses. Not just anyone can nor should own horses. And when the inexperienced do end up owning horses the horses is the one that tends suffer because they are out of control, over spoiled, and down right become dangerous. So lets be realistic and not put horses in the same catorgory as our dogs and cats.
Jim
September 21, 2006, 8:51am (report abuse)As per data from the U.S. Consumer Produce Safety Commission on injuries treated in emergency rooms:
The Top 15:
Basketball: 512,213
Bicycling: 485,669
Football: 418,260
Soccer: 174,686
Baseball: 155,898
Skateboards: 112,544
Trampolines: 108,029
Softball: 106,884
Swimming/Diving: 82,354
Horseback riding: 73,576
Weightlifting: 65,716
Volleyball: 52,091
Golf: 47,360
Roller skating: 35,003
Wrestling: 33,734
Knee injuries, especially to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), are some of the most common and serious, the new study found.
Washington State Rancher
September 23, 2006, 1:30pm (report abuse)We are fourth generation ranchers whose livelihood in part is from raising registered quarter horses. Horse slaughter is a necessity.
We raise quality horses to use! We need them just like Trucks, 4-Wheelers and Tractors. Once they are too crippled or no longer useful, we turn to slaughter to put them down. What do you do with old Trucks, 4-Wheelers and Tractors? You sell them to be recycled into something else, just like our old horses. Why waste a reuseable product.
If you don't like the way animals are killed at slaughter, I challenge you to focus a better way to kill them rather than banning it. Livestock, including horses are our private property. This bill erodes our private property rights.
I have been around sale yards for many years and see first hand how horse meat buyers operate. They purchase horses as cheaply as possible and won't usually bid if someone else is interested in the horse. They are usually the only person bidding on the horse. I have yet to hear someone say they were told by a meat buyer, that their horse was going to a good home! Educated people know where their horse is going.... The horse meat buyers have to keep their horses fed and watered during and after transport. If you do not take care of the horses nutritional needs and stress levels, the meat is not as tender and flavorful. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the horse buyers and slaughter plants to care for these horses to obtain top dollar for their meat.
We too have dogs and cats dropped off at our ranch. Are horses next? We used to worry about fleas, mange and rabies from those dogs and cats, next it will be flu, STD's or something worse from horses being dropped off.
Please stick with the facts and become educated in this matter. In the "old days" horses used to be shot between the eyes and left for the coyotes and buzzards....we have come a long way to recycling horses, let's not take a step backwards. Thank you for listening and may God richly bless you and your families.
Shannon
September 26, 2006, 11:16pm (report abuse)Jim- You are only looking at the statistics for the emergency room. It does not cover the regular physicians office, walk in clinics, ect. As i have been saying the WHOLE picture needs to be looked- not just the parts each of us wants to see.
kc
September 30, 2006, 11:46pm (report abuse)I am sure that the people that have passed this bill have never been truely hungary, would they- would you- rather eat horse meat or die?
Bet you would. Just think of all the wasted food this will cause, and all the wasted time, and money going to dispose of these animals that could have been benneficial to us. I love horses more deeply than most as I have spent over 30 years taking care of them and being great friends with some. But here are some that are not friendly, and/or not usefull for anything but food.
jose and d
October 11, 2006, 1:12pm (report abuse)Horses are ment to be beautiful creatures created by god and killing them would be a very bad thing to do.
For AG
October 14, 2006, 1:37am (report abuse)I'm sorry people but horses are livestok NOT PETS it has been that way since the beging of time and that is how it shall remain. All you people so aginst horses slautering do you eat chicken, beef, pig, or lamb it is the same, they are all slaughtered the same HUMANE way.
Arkansas
October 16, 2006, 11:08am (report abuse)Jose and d-beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. to some people cows are are beautiful, yet we eat them. It is sad that Americans regard all horses as pets. What about a working cow horse that gets to old, to crippled to work? IT would be better to slaughter that horse than to see it suffer everyday. If i had to, I would slaughter each of my horses right now if they needed it,rather than see them suffer. If you cant sell them, people will just take them in the woods and kill them like many do dogs and cats. ALso, I've read where yall are concerned about about the horses wellfare, but what about the people that own the horse? Do you know how much this would drop the price of horses? Nobody can hardly make a living raising horse now days, but with this bill, it would make it impossible.
Arkansas
October 16, 2006, 11:15am (report abuse)Louisa, we give cows many of the same things that says not for human consumption. ANd did u know that these things wear off? That is why we have to give dewormer to horses over and over. And how more humane can u get when u slaughter a horse? they dont feel a thing? Im surprised yall arent saying its not humane to ride a horse. You'll give it back problems. Wake up and look around you-animals are animals, not humans. Treat them as such
Animal Science Major
October 24, 2006, 10:40pm (report abuse)People need to realize that horses are LIVESTOCK and not pets. Certain draft breeds were created simply for meat purposes. Furthermore, who are we to say that what they eat in other countries is wrong? There is a severe surplus of horses on the market as it is. So much so that horse rescues now have to turn away horses due to lack of finances and space. Where would the 90,000 horses slaughtered last year be today if they were still around??? If somebody had the time, money or desire to feed and care for them, then why did they get sold for kill price.
If this bill passes many don't realize the domino effect it will have on the entire horse industry. Overall horse prices will drop due to the flood of unwanted horses on the market. This will be detrimental to people who make their living as breeders. The All American Quarter Horse Congress brings in $150 million to central Ohio ALONE. Don't think organizations such as AQHA, APHA, ApHC, NBRA, NCHA, etc. are immune. The entire economy may take a serious hit from the passing of this bill.
As far as the slaughter process itself goes, the 3 slaughter plants in the US are all kept under the same regulations as beef, pork, etc. To say the slaughter process for horses is inhumane is to say that all animal slaughter is inhumane. The bolt gun used to stun horses is the same gun used to stun cattle prior to exanguination (aka bleeding). The reason many horses that are slaughtered are in such poor condition is because they were severely neglected or abused long before they were sold to slaughter. The slaughter company had nothing to do with their abuse. If anything, they slaughter house is doing the poor horse a favor by putting it out of its misery.
Unfortunately many people that support this bill are poorly informed on the topic. I would bet that a majority of them don’t even own horses, let alone have much experience in the horse industry. I have yet to meet anyone who can put up a valid argument to support the ban on horse slaughter. I feel that it is rediculas to get rid of horse slaughter when 1) there is a market for it, and 2) we don’t really have any better way of dealing with the surplus of horses. –(Yes, I realize euthanasia is another option to take care of the overpopulation of horses, but then what are we going to do with the bodies? Plus, many people can’t afford the $200+ that it costs for euthanasia. We aren’t all rich!)
Tennessee Horse Farm
November 2, 2006, 4:45pm (report abuse)Animal Science Major Quote:
Yes, I realize euthanasia is another option to take care of the overpopulation of horses, but then what are we going to do with the bodies? Plus, many people can’t afford the $200+ that it costs for euthanasia. We aren’t all rich!)
clueless college kid!!!!
If any horseowner cannot afford $200 then he or she has no business owning a horse! In fact it cost a horseowner $200 a month to take care of the horse. So in the end he is saving money. Second
horseowners/ranches against this bill are in cahoots to keep these slaughterhouses in business. When they have gotten all their use/money out of the horse. They send them off to the killers and make their final dollar on the horse. They are not true horse people they are in it for the buck. True horse owners care about their horses to the day they have to be euthanasia. They pay the vet to have it done bury the animal themselves or have the county do it for them. This bill needs to be passed its long overdue!
J H
November 2, 2006, 8:04pm (report abuse)Hello Tennessee Horse Farm,To Quote Animal Science Major "Horses are Livestock not pets" Not everyone has $200 for euthanasia of a horse that is still marketable. And doesn't it make more sense to sell this unusable horse for $500-600 giving them money to perhaps maintain their other horses or to go to the purchase of a new horse. Before you jump to conclusions I have had horese for some fourty years and have at this time 23 in my field, my vet cab tell you that NONE of them has been abused or neglected. Yes, I have sold some to slaughter, put some down due to Illness, injury, and old age, and NO ONE has shed more tears than I at the loss of some of these horses. But the final line is the disposal of ones horse is a personal decision which should be made by the horse owner NOT by the Ccoverment. If you don't want your horse to go to the killers DON'T sell to them.
Luke D
November 3, 2006, 9:01pm (report abuse)Is slaughtering hourses inhumane or are we just so blind to think that they are like our little dogs and cats around the house. I would have you know that even in the U.S. those animals are killed for human consumption too. Maybe not in a plant or factory but that does not mean it does not happen. Horses are just like Cows, Pigs, Sheep, and Chickens. They are made to work. Or to help us get this done. To make us money. If we are not carful who is to say that the slaughter of those animals will not be band too. It is the owner decision to do or not do this. If you don't want horses to be killed for human consumption then stop talking about it and start buying these horses and take care of them. So they don't just sit out in a field and die of starvation. That is what is going to happen if this bill passes. Some people need to really think before they talk. That includes myself sometimes.
firefrost
November 7, 2006, 11:26am (report abuse)i agree with animal owner, nothing else needs to be said
Facts
November 14, 2006, 6:14pm (report abuse)Get for real the pork, beef, poultry industries are backing horse slaughter because USDA wants to promote it in america. By USDA telling other industries that there business is at risk is just another lie.As manager of cavel once said these industries are all ready established. The fact is the meat industries hire illegals just as the horse plants do. Until we tighten our borders and send illegals back we americans are doing slavery all over again nothing has changed.The Beef Industry once tried to sue Opra for her free speach (she will Never eat a hamburger again) the Beef industry lost and ran away with there tail between there legs. These pro slaughter folks just dont care nor will never get the facts that a horse is a bibical animal and that we owe horses our lives until cars came yet these overbreeders continue to profit off them just as the AQHA and other organizations that profits off them for papers. The Goverment needs to pass the bill and start requlating these overbreeders and have the AHQA and other promoting Organizations to set aside retirement funds for horses. And the person that fears her market will fall Gee get a real job and work get off your butt. A trained horses brings in more money not stupid papers from a Organization sellout.These foreign owned plants pay no tariff tax nor income tax because there are foreigners.Gee wake up smell the sellouts in office like Rep Goodlatte and Rep Burns as of today there lost and now there mouths run but no one listens to them they have ignored there constiuants long enough. For more info on the sellouts visit SaveDaHorses.com
helphorsesliveplease
November 14, 2006, 6:46pm (report abuse)Many of us are buying these horses and finding good homes for them, some selling for more than you could ever have gotten for slaughter. The idea that these horses are lame, old, and sick is a total lie. Look at the accident near Chicago as one example. There are many people out there who merely want to get rid of this animal simply because they do not want to be bothered any more.
Tom Durfee
November 14, 2006, 6:49pm (report abuse)You need to catch up on current events this is not the version of H R 503 that passed. This has the amendments in it that didn't pass I know because I was in Washington for the vote.
Sarah
November 14, 2006, 6:49pm (report abuse)The myths surrounding horse slaughter are numerous. Horses are slaughtered in North America for human consumption and not for pet food or other products. Another myth is that there is no other way to accommodate the 90,000 or so horses that die annually at the 3 slaughterhouses in the USA, and 2 slaughterhouses in Canada. In the 1990’s there were 14 slaughterhouses for horses, that processed 350,000 horses annually, and those 200,000+ horses who used to end up there have been reabsorbed into the horse owning public without any additional infrastructure required and without overwhelming rescue groups. The number of horses being slaughtered reflects only the capacity at which the slaughter facilities can process the horses. 700,000 horses die annually in the USA of all causes. Only 1% of the horse population is at risk of slaughter.
In 1999, a poll conducted in New York State yielded the following results:
- 91% considered horses companions, recreational or sporting animals
- 72% would never eat horse meat
- 73% believed that the manner that horses are slaughtered is cruel and inhumane
- 81% personally opposed the practice of horse slaughter.
Another misconception is the horses who are being killed are all aged, sick, or injured and unusable, and they would be abandoned or treated with cruelty should the slaughterhouses no longer exist. In fact, both the Hooved Animal Humane Society (HAHS) and the Illinois Department of Agriculture reported that following the burning of the only slaughter plant in the region, abuse cases quit rising and went down between 2002 and 2003. California banned horse slaughter in 1998, and since that time horse theft has dropped 34% and cruelty reports have not increased (Dr. Carolyn Stull). Texas, which had the only two slaughter plants in 2003, had among the nations highest rates of cruelty and theft.
Also, according to 2001 field studies conducted by Temple Grandin, 70% of all horses at the slaughter plant were in good, fat, or obese condition; 72% were considered to be \"sound\" of limb; 84% were of average age; and 96% had no behavioral issues. Old, sick and crippled horses do not bring nearly as much value to the slaughterhouses that healthy, young and sound horses do.
All of the slaughterhouses currently in operation in North America are foreign owned. It is a multi-million dollar industry with most of the benefits going overseas. The Dallas Crown facility in Texas paid only $5 in municipal taxes in 2004 and made millions in profit. Horse meat is not consumed in North America but is considered a delicacy in some European and Asian markets.
The process of slaughtering horses is the same as that for cattle. It involves using a captive bolt gun which is placed to the middle of the forehead and shoots a high powered bolt into the animal’s brain, rendering them unconscious. The problem is that this is an unsuitable method for horses because of their long necks, and the fact that they will panic when their movement is confined by the kill box. It can often take five or more shots before they are sufficiently immobilized and many are still fully conscious when they are hoisted into the air, their throat is slit and they are bled to death.
Prior to this they endure long distance transport without access to food or water for many days in cramped trucks which are not designed to haul animals as tall as horses. This combined with the fact that all genders, ages, breeds, and temperaments are confined together without any protection for the weaker animals, results in many injuries and deaths long before they reach their destination.
Euthanasia by a veterinarian is a much more humane alternative. It is a calm environment for the animal as they are usually in familiar surroundings and attended to by a familiar handler, and they die quickly without pain.
There are many alternatives to slaughter such as selling horses into new homes, euthanasia and rendering of the carcass, donation to riding programs or rescue groups, and retirement homes. The only reason slaughter exists is that there is money to be made, and that the process is largely kept in the dark. No horse is safe from slaughter. As they say in the industry “4 days from stable to table.”
Judith
November 14, 2006, 6:54pm (report abuse)POST THE CORRECT BILL, PLEASE! It is foolish to debate pros and cons of a nonexistent bill.
Nonetheless:
1. 100,000 horses killed inhumanely is a lot of pain and suffering BUT is only abut 1% of the US horse population, which can easily absorb this fluctuation -- and has done so in the recent past, in years when slaughter was not practiced. Horses are simply not going to be roaming the streets or dropping dead from lack of food in the fields -- the irresponsible breeders will just slow down their output, if they can't sell their mistakes to European diners. If the slaughter option is all that is keeping them in business, they are in the wrong business.
2. It is NOT old, sick or useless horses that are the majority of those killed -- who would want that kind of meat? Most horses killed for meat are young or in the prime of life, and healthy. And, as has already been pointed out, many are stolen from homes where they ARE wanted.
3. The mustangs languishing in holding pens have no reason to be there -- they are only being removed from public land so that the mega-agribusiness interests will have no competition for their cattle (which graze far more destructively than horses). If they were left alone, they would be fine.
4. You can still butcher Flicka in your back yard if you want to, and have a Barbaro-beque for your friends. This bill will not prevent anyone from disposing of his or her private property, privately.
Shannon
November 14, 2006, 7:36pm (report abuse)More than 1% of OUR AMERICAN citizens are in poverty - are homeless - children with no health insurance - elderly not receiving proper care. The list could go on and on. So OUR fellow AMERICANS should be helped BEFORE the 1% of the horses. Stop and realize people that our tax dollars should go to help out our community long before it is spend to house, feed, and take care of an animal for 30 some years. Don't our homeless children deserve to eat and our elderly deserve to be taken care?
Elizabeth A. Rogers
November 14, 2006, 8:06pm (report abuse)This has got to stop. There is no need to slaughter these horses. Wake up and see what is happening here. We have a responsibility as a nation not to degrade ourselves as being sadistic. Are we human being or animals (maybe less than that)
Wendy Bode, Dayton, TX
November 14, 2006, 8:09pm (report abuse)I support the bill to stop the slaughter of our American horses. Not only is this practice inhumane, it supports the highly profitable horse theft industry and puts tainted meat on foreign tables.
Karen Thunshelle
November 14, 2006, 8:11pm (report abuse)We need to stop this cruel industry. Our horses are dying horrible deaths so other countries can have a delicacy. Please pass this much needed legislation.
Foxie
November 14, 2006, 8:12pm (report abuse)Please stop the slaughter, and save the horses.
http://www.columbiabasinequinerescue.org
Mel
November 14, 2006, 8:12pm (report abuse)Somebody commented that NOBODY wants to address where these horses are going to go...well I will take this one up. I run a horse rescue organization that I started just to help these horses find homes...my rescue is a new breed of rescue that is cropping up all over the United States to help horses at risk of slaughter (I know rescues have been helping slaughterbound horses for years but NEW rescues are being started up expressly to take up the slack of the so called unwanted horse that would normally go to slaughter) I work with vets that will help people humanely euthanize their horses for a reasonable cost. I have done research on rendering and composting. We educate people about over breeding and alternatives to sending a horse to auction (over breeding is a huge issue and registration associations should be responsible and not encourage over breeding and make breeding horses pass certain standards before they can be a breeding horse). We find horses great homes that WANT the horses. We have placed over 60 horses in two years. Not groud breaking but if each rescue did the same we would be makeing a dent in the situation. I work with rescues up and down the east coast and across the country and some of these rescues place hundreds of horses a year into GREAT homes not places that will send them back to auction. Dont tell me people arent working on what to do with the so called "unwanted" horse. Many of these horses arent unwanted they were either stolen or sold to someone by an owner that loved their horse and the new owner took them to auction...these horses have no avenue to be wanted once they wind up in the hands of a killer...none at all. One more thing OF COURSE WE SHOULD HELP OUR POOR AND FEED OUR CHILDREN but as a civilized nation we also need to stop this barbaric practice of torturing our horses (they are truly tortured from the time they go to auction to the moment of death...this can be weeks or months for some if they are sent auction to auction and they get weaker and less desirable after each round). Do you know that tax payers have been paying to have the USDA inspect horse meat that is being shipped overseas and not being used to feed our own country. Thanks to animal activists that care about our Country and our animals THAT practice has stopped and now the slaughter plants have to pay for the inspections not Tax payers. There is so much to this dirty business of horse slaughter that the average person looking from the outside doesnt even have a clue about...oh so much.
Elizabeth A. Rogers
November 14, 2006, 8:14pm (report abuse)We are suppose to be human beings and we are acting like animals the way we treat animals. We will eventually be punished for how we behaved in this awful cruelty. People will do anything to fill their pockets with the green stuff.
Tonya Taber
November 14, 2006, 8:29pm (report abuse)This is just wrong! These horses are our past...and we should not be throwing them away.
Cora from IL
November 14, 2006, 8:39pm (report abuse)Slaughter is wrong. It is NOT "humane euthanasia" as they would have you believe. Before you can say you approve, visit a slaughterhouse, or watch the investigative report that NBC5 just did. Open your eyes and see the truth about slaughter.
Marjorie - New York City
November 14, 2006, 8:57pm (report abuse)I've read through some of the responses and I felt that I had to respond to a few.
Tom Durfee is absolutely correct, this bill is not the bill that passed.
Someone also mentioned that we should think about hungry people. Horse meat does not feed hungry people - it is a delicacy, served to the rich of Europe and Asia. Please check your facts, before making idiotic statements.
I also noted that quite a few are "Quater Horse Breeders", well the Quarter Horse people are well known for -over-breeding-, perhaps they could curtail themselves just a bit and we wouldn't have such a surplus of horses.
And, just for the record to all those "ranchers" and "horse lovers" who think slaughter is humane: Humane Slaughter is not possible, it's an oxymoron.
In addition, horses work for us, carry our children, our soldiers into battle and our police officers. Would all of you who are so pro-slaughter send your seeing eye dog or search and rescue dogs, to slaughter? Is this how we repay our companions?
And finally, to all those who truly believe that slaughter is humane, I challenge you to look at the pictures and watch the videos at: www.saplonline.org/horsees.htm Or better yet, please visit a slaughter house and watch the butchering of our friends.
Shame on all of you that are pro-slaughter. Stop thinking about lining your pockets and start thinking about the suffering caused to all the horses, whether they have worked their entire lives for us and are at their end, or the young foals who face this atrocity at the beginning of their short lives.
I also say to those condemning us for trying to help end this barbarism: What are you doing to help make this world just a little bit better? Anythng at all? Search your souls for the answer and be honest.
"If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men." St. Francis of Assisi
Kim T
November 14, 2006, 8:59pm (report abuse)Please do right by the horses-they deserve the best we can give them.
annie
November 14, 2006, 9:06pm (report abuse)This is NOT the bill which is in the Senate, this is an amendet bill they were trying to sneak in and doesn't serve any purpose, read the amendments and just ignore the voting. Who is trying to pull the wool over everybodie's eyes here???????
Jose Canseco
November 14, 2006, 9:14pm (report abuse)Those horses had more steroids pumped into each of them over their lifetimes than all the MLB players combined.
Someone has got to be insane to ever eat horsemeat.
Mari
November 14, 2006, 9:21pm (report abuse)For all of you in favor of horse slaughter, please watch the undercover videos of this atrocity at:
http://www.kaufmanzoning.net/horsemeat/
If you lack the money to properly euthanize a horse, you should not have one. Euthanized horses do NOT have to be buried; they can be rendered for about $50 each. In my area of Wisconsin, there is NO charge for euthanasia, except for the drug, itself; about $60. The reasons to slaughter horses, on this site, are so bogus...you just want your last few bucks from a horse who has served you well, until he was spent...it matters not to you the hell he will endure.
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