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H.R. 503, 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 (308 comments ↓)
H.R. 503 would 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.
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Visitor Comments
LARRY HAUN
Are the domestic terrorists (HSUS ALF PETA) going to feed these horses? Is congress going to appropiate money for me to feed them? Get real people, why deprive us of a market and cause suffering for an old horse.
Joy & Ray Mitchell
We are in favor of any protection that can be given to these poor animals that are abused by packing them in small, tight quarters, or shipped for consumption. We are advocates of the care of animals and have 52 horses ourselves and take care of the horses before we buy for ourselves.
Give all the protection you can give to the wonderful, loving animals.
My comment to Larry Haun is don't buy horses you can't afford to feed - no one promised that Congress would help you take care of them.
Thank you.
Kimberlie & Keely Knutson
We are in favor of all the help you can give these beautiful animals.
If you can't afford to take care of a horse then don't buy one. They cost money to care for and you should realize that before you take one.
If people in foreign countries want to eat horse let them raise their own.
Lynne Finnerty
Anyone who really knows anything about nature and the environment knows that everything feeds something else. These horses can either feed just the maggots, or they can be used for a better purpose. They are going to die anyway. Why extend their suffering, and why not let them be processed into feed for zoo animals? Reduce, reuse, recycle! They are humanely euthanized. And how do you know they are packed in "small, tight quarters?" Have you seen the "quarters?" I doubt it. Think, people. THINK!
ragan sue and jamie
HORSES ARE USED IN THE TREATMENT OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND ADD SO MUCH JOY TO MANY, WE MUST PROTECT AND LOVE THEM AS THEY GIVE FREELY TO HUMANS IN SO MANY WAYS..
R. Edwards
Last time I checked horses were raised to be pets and important parts of a farm. They are loved and cared for by the person who owned them. The injury or decline of health of one was a sad case. After serving you for a lifetime I don't feel they deserve this kind of abuse. Could you honestly sit with them during their travel and see what becomes of what was once your favorite horse??
Gary
MUST READ anyone contemplating this bill must read the report found at www.animal welfare council.org entitled The Unintended Consequences of a Ban on the Humane Slaughter of Horses in the United States.
TENNESSEE
Just another case of the animal rights terrorists attempting to push their agenda and dictate what we can or can't do with our property. Vote NO!!!!
TimmyB
There has been a balance in animal cruelty statutes/issues, etc., that has existed for years - human benefit versus normal people's desire to avoid unnecessary suffering for animals. The slaughter industry just isn't made for horses. Unless the industry is willing to put the money it needs into proper slaughter facilities this cannot be done properly (and the industry won't put the money in b/c France, Japan and Belgium cannot give enough demand to make this profitable). Bottom line, it doesn't fit American tradition and practices and it falls outside the scope of what Americans should be doing to animals.
mary g
Do animals die humanely in the wild? Or do they get to watch as predators eat their throats and stomachs out to a slow and agonizing death? Do disease epidemics take out whole herds of wild horse--yes--you should see the pictures and watch those videos. Not pretty! I don't like to see a horse die in any fashion-I wish they could ALL live happily ever after. This is just one more law we don't need to waste time and money over. Let's work on tougher regulations on all animal processing plants. It is after all in their best interest to sell quality, not bruised, tough, and all the other negative affects a stressed out animal causes to the quality and palatability of their meat.--It's late I apologized for spelling and grammer mistakes :^)
mary g
The definition of "sore" is a very long list. I recomend anyone who loves horses to read the definitions of the horse protection act (15 U.S.C.1821). "SORE" any device or substance! any tack, nail, screw, or chemical agent! All the horses will die of worm infestation, and we can't do anything for them as their owners--no halters, and definately no saddles. Sounds like PETA is behind this one too.
Charles Ehler
Americans don't eat horse out of habit. Making it illegal to do so in this way is just as wrong as Jews and Muslims not eating pig and then expecting everyone else to comply.
Am I for eating horse? Not normally. I sure will if that is the only choice though and far too many Americans forget that. Perhaps this sort of legislation is the result of way too many Americans having never missed a meal.
Also apparently, "sore" can mean just about anything making it a catch-all phrase or excuse.
This looks like a bit of legislation we don't need and just wastes time.
Farm Family
What these terrorist have done to the horse industry and all the folks in it big and little just sickens me. Nothing better to do but pick on farmers and ranchers. Keep picking on the farmers and you will all starve some day. I can tell you most farmers of all kinds have about HAD IT!
Debbie Sandefer
Wake up people these majestic animals placed on this earth are not split hoof animals to be slaughtered for consumption of any kind, human or amimal consumption lets all team up and save them amd let them live out there days on rescue ranches or in adopted homes please find it in you heart care for them or find someone that will.
Gary
Debbie PLEASE read my previous post,go to the referenced site and educate yourself to the facts before telling others to wake up.
Barbara
If you are unable to care for your horse, Euthanasia in the dictionary is described as: an easy death, putting to death by painless means.
It is the least you can do. The only reason anyone would send horses to a slaughter house is for the money.....It is not because they are old or sick,not because you cannot afford to feed them.
Face it, some people will do most anything for money....
Allen L.
I am strongly opposed to this bill.
I have seen horses die of old age and it is not a pretty sight. Basically old horses lose the ability to adequately eat, and either become easy prey for wild animals or starve to death in their last years of life. Many horse owners will not pay the costs of having these animals uthenized, thereby allowing them to die a slow, cruel death. There is nothing imhumane about selling an old horse and having them transported and put to death in a humane way at a slaughter plant. Take it from someone who has owned a lot of horses and has deep respect and love for them
Rebecca N.
It's not just the old horse that go to slaughter. They are not humanely euthanized. Some are very young and healthy. American"s don"t eat horse meat and the profits do go overseas> PLEASE STOP THE SLAUGHTER OF OUR HORSES!!!THERE IS NOTHING HUMANE ABOUT THE PROCESS THIS SPIRITED ANIMALS GO THRU ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Gary
Rebecca,It is true not all slaughter horses are old however they are all unwanted.
Rebecca N.
Gee, Gary, how about this, when a owner no longer wants his or her horse, how about they find a home for it or have a dangerous horse ,they pay to put it down humanly. Just think it's their responsiablty when they took the horse in the first place. Pretty easy to profit when someone no longer can or wants to take care of their own.
Gary
How about we let the Horse Owner make the decision of what is best to do with his/her personal property,which is what we are talking about here.
Rebecca N.
what we are talking about is slaughter for profit. Obviously there are other options and evidently many strong views on the subject , however while expressing my own i didn't know i was getting into a 1 on 1 debate, but thats ok.
Cheval-4-All
Hey, given the world's exponentially increasing population, and millions starving to death worldwide, it might not be such a bad idea to explore other sources of food. Besides, I like philly cheese steak!! (Ha,Ha!)
Also, I don't hear too many people complaining about the slaughter of lambs for food (the supposed symbol of Christianity and innocence) so give me a break, please! And since the invention of the automobile, there are really only three uses for horses: as pets, for racing, or for FOOD!!!
Cheval-4-All
Oh, and Debbie, we don't all eat "Kosher". Not everybody cares whether and animal is "cloven-hooved" or not before they consider consuming them. So maybe YOU should consider waking up!!!
Rebecca N.
Just wanted to say THANK YOU to all who helped shut down Cavel International Inc. Hope it stays that way.
Shad
'Animal Rights Terrorists'?Someone needs to look at the definition of terrorist. That term is better applied to the slaughter industry who cause pain, suffering and death 'humanely euthenized' ha! The arguement about needing slaughterhouses for sick or old horses is thin. It is about money. Paying a vet to euthenize a horse isn't more expensive than paying one month board and feed. How is that too much money for a companion, partner or pet? It is the fear, pain and suffering before their deaths that offends me about the industry. Personnaly my horses are part of my family. I would scale eating them right alongside trying a roast from my cat, dog, or uncle Jim. And as for 'humane' go find videos of the process or pictures of the injuries horses sustain on double-decker cattle trucks. Cramming an old pony on one of those trucks to be shipped for days before reaching the plant comes so close to pre-meditated cruelty that there is no difference.
Alecia
I realize that there is an overpopulation of horses but most of this can be prevented. Probably half of the horses being shipped off are Premarin offspring. It is so sick how many are slaughted for a stupid hormone that is just as good as the herbal one. The biggest problem that I have with the slaughter is that most is done in a barbaric and extremely painful manner. Stabbing in animal numerous times in the neck is not what I call a very intelligent way to end a life. There are no regulations in place to ensure a humane death. Why let the horses suffer for our stupidity and ignorance? Aren't there enough factory farms already causing extreme slaughters for this gluttonous country...why let this pattern continue elsewhere? I suggest checking out some video footage and tell me that as a "civilized" human being we can allow this kind barbarism to continue.
mARTIN
Gary - horse owners dont choose slaughter - well, maybe the overbreeding AQHA who are just throw away the wrong colored foals etc...
most are gathered up by bunchers and kill buyers who mistreat and abuse them while collecting them for a full - cruel, overpacked road to hell.
why dont you go read some facts at www.kaufmanzoning.net
or vetsforequinewelfare
FACTS, documents, and sworn testimonies...
and BTW - your "unintended.." report.. LOL ..go see who holds the rights to the websites that promote that crap..
none other than the lawyer for the slaughter plants - they sure fooled you!!
Lori
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.
Padme (Lyn Gilbert)
I am writing to support this bill. Horse slaughter is a brutal practice that needs to stop. People who irresponsibly breed horses and then "throw away" the horses they don't want need to find another way to make a living. Horses helped build this country - they are NOT a commodity. The scare tactics of the pro-slaughter groups would have you believe that we would be overwhelmed by unwanted horses. Maybe a little long-term planning would help - reduce the breeding, take care of the horses you DO have or become a therapy/rescue facility to take care of the "overload" instead of treating horses as a disposable commodity. With all due respect, look at yourselves and see if you are solving the issue instead of contributing to it.
Healing,Love, Peace
ONS
Padme (Lynette Gilbert)
HorsesArePetsNotFood
Americans don't eat horses, so why should our horses be food for foreigners?
laura
The horse slaughter industry PROMOTES over breeding and neglect. Pay to euthanize your old horse. Why should a horse owner have the right to sell the horse to slaughter if the dog and cat owner don't have it?
Horses in AMERICA are not a managed agricultural resource. THEY ARE NOT RAISED FOR FOOD.
Sharon
I have seen this go on long enough. The horses deserve justice and there are horses that are pets, show animals, and racehorses that are going to slaughter. I think it is about time that we end this once and for all. We need to step up for the horses and be their voices because they are unable to speak. We need to do this for Ferdinand, Exceller, and all the other horses out.
Verna
Lyn,Wonderful statement from you.This bill must be passed and those who think that slaughter IS humane better get down off their soapbox and go watch a few videos of this so called humane process for themselves.If they can sleep at night after that.Well,that tells me all I need to know about them.Also from some of the comments I have read,some seem to think the meat from their dear departed horse is going to feed the masses of starving.WAKE UP FOLKS and do your homework.The meat is going to high priced diners and butchers where it sells for as much as $20Lb. This is all about money and nothing more,and to make it worse,for those of you who are too blind to see,NONE of that money is coming INTO the U.S. It is ALL kept overseas.Now,where is the real benefit.There is none except for the lame excuse of not being able to care for something you got,don't want it anymore and now you won't just be able to throw it away.You will have to actually take care of it.
B. Sario
Slaughter is about big money made by foreign companies for foreign consumption. It is not about "helping out" an "unwanted horse" situation. If demand ceased tomorrow the slaughter houses would pack up and leave in a second. The number of available horses for slaughter is directly proportional to the demand for horsemeat by European consumers.
Karen Madison WI
It is time that this bill is passed. What a travesty to the American public to have pro-slaughter lobbyist win over Larry Craig. Now there is a great statement of honesty and integrity.
These are not old, worthless animals. Many are merely a pet that a child has outgrown. If they only knew the horror that they go through.
Beth Hellyer
They are not humanely treated...the worst part is the transportation and grouping with other horses where they are often injured, trampled,killed, legs broken etc. If they were dogs and cats this would never be happening. Put your horse down, like you put down a dog or cat....thats your obligation as a horse owner.
kathyb
If you think sending an old sick horse to slaughter is kind and humane then you should watch the slaughter videos. That should change your mind. Please pass this bill!
MULEKIST
Not too worry you Pro-Slaughter Idiots, no one or no law is going to take away your right to kill and eat your own horse if you want to,....we just dont want our government (tax dollars) SANCTIONING it. Guess you would think it a good idea to send/sell all our unwanted cats & dogs to places like China & Korea also? Whats the dif? NONE.
gAIL
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.
Shelly
Our horses deserve, and have earned so much more than we give them. They deserve to live, not be cruelly slaughtered. Hurry up and pass H.R.503 and S.311. Horses are being tortured and killed while we wait!!
Jean Gross
Protect our horses. Do not ship them across borders to be slaughtered!
D
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.
Susan
Horses, dogs and cats are all pets in the United States of America and this nation chooses to protect them as we do our families. So why should we allow foreign corporations to enter our sovereign nation, knowingly buy stolen and swindled horses, terrorize and butcher them for foreign gourmet diners. I don't owe France a thing, certainly not my horses which will NEVER be safe as long as our horses can be slaughtered or shipped for slaughter. This is a reasonable step to protect American horses and horse owner's rights.
Susan
By the way, I am from a farm family, my Mom rode her horse to school, my grandfather worked horses in the field, my grandmom drove the wagon and they never ate their horses, but they did eat the cows, pigs and chickens. That's a farmer. If you betray your work animals, you are NO FARMER.
MJNYC
Anyone who thinks that horse slaughter is necessary or humane, truly needs to visit a horse slaughter plant. And now that there are none in the United States, you will have to visit Mexico, where they stab the horse to sever his spine and then they continue to stab the horse to death.
Horses are not food! Horses have not been used in dog food in our country for 20 years. We don't eat horses.
We use horses for our military, police, therapy, and we and our children ride them. They are our companions.
Dogs are used for military, police, and therapy. Why don't we slaughter dogs too?
It's time for Americans to stand up and speak out, end this atrocity. It is morally wrong.
Those that would sell their companion to face a heinous journey and then barbaric death, have their 30 pieces of silver snug in their pockets.
We no longer want this going on in the United States; the majority has spoken time and time again. Let's get end this barbarism in 2008!
Stop the torture!
Vote for the bill. They are not all old horses. They are tortured not done humainly.. Do the research before you comment
STOP THE TORTURE!
MR. Gary for your info they are not all unwanted. Some of them are stolen horses. Owners have identified them by their hides. Now say they are all unwanted ,like i said nefore. read before you comment. Know the facts! damn moron! Cheree
barbara
this is a very important bill to be passed. horses are NOT someones dinner!!!!
the method that horses are slaughtered and transported to slaughter are horiffic.
new rescue farms are popping up all over the save horses bound for slaughter. horses are stolen for slaughter, healthy horses, mares and foals are sent to slaughter, horses are purchased at auctions by "kill buyers" to send to slaughter for a profit!
this has to stop and Bill HR 503 needs to be passed.
eveangelina t knopp
im here to say stop the slauter of our great american hero's horses have carried and still carry our men and women in to battle.horses are more than just an animal.put your self in their place.horses have been around for many years and done many things to make all our lives easier.this is how horses are repaid for the love and hard work that they and their ancesterts have done for us.STOP the killings of the american horses.
Racehorse Rescue Founder
The vast majority of the American public expect the passage of HR 503 and S. 311. Please act swiftly so our borders will be closed and our horses do not suffer the transport and horror of death in foreign slaughterhouses.
Jo Anne Normile
Founder, CANTER
www.canterusa.org
Valerie
Slaughtering horses has nothing to do with recycling. Horses are social and considered companion animals. If one were to inflict the "process" of slaughter on a dog or cat, they would be charged with cruelty.
More succinctly, "if one person is unkind to an animal it is considered to be
cruelty, but where a lot of people are unkind to animals, especially in the name of commerce, the cruelty is condoned and, once large sums of money are at stake, will be defended to the last by otherwise intelligent people."
Enough said?
Stop The Torture!
Lynn Finnerty watch this:
http://video.hsus.org/?fr_story= af238f6e5ce156726675a947debdeab0ad670054&rf =sitemap
Then keep saying they are euthanized. I bet you wont even watch it.. See What really happens. Open your eyes my dear. Lets string you up and coat your throat and cut off your legs while your still alive.. Another miss know it all...
Stop the Slaughter
ms. finnerty
Another thing. if you were smart you would know that a euthanized horse cant be eaten..
Sharon Crumb
We as Americans do not eat our horses, they are our companions not our food source.
We owe it to them to make sure they are safe from slaughter for foreigners to eat.
The act of slaughter and transport can never be deemed "humane". An old horse, sick or lame horse has suffered enough and should never be made to stand on their hooves for hours upon hours in a trailer and a young and healthy horse should never be put in a position to be slaughtered, they should be retrained and given a chance to life.
An owner who takes their horse to slaughter, or sells their horse to a kill buyer should never be rewarded with money for doing the most irresponsible act a person can do to their animal.
Congress should listen to all their constituents who call on a daily basis 80% to 20% against slaughter. The people have spoken, this is not about special interests, this is about Americans standing up for the American Icon called the horse.
Stop the Slaughter
Bravo Sharon! I agree with you totally.. Good Job
Concerned horse owner
Banning horse Slaughter is BAD for the horse industry and for the general economy. Horses have been eaten by humans here in the USA as recently as the 1970's and was still in dog food as recently as 1980's. Horse slaughter in Mexico is Horrible I agree, so let the USA horse slaughter facilities continue under more humane conditions and lock down our southern Border.
We need to keep the horse slaughter facilites here and keep them well inspected instead of sending horses out of the country to worse conditions.
Me
Banning horse slaughter is good for the horse industry. Horse breeeders and bad trainers will stop making bad horses. One women I worked for did nothing but breed her broodmare even after she new she was breeding retarded horses... Slaughter is always the answer to get rid of their unwanted foals. No money for retarded babies or ugly babies as they would call them.
Stop rescues from importing horses
Shelters and Humane societies kill hundreds to thousands of healthy dogs and cats every year dogs and cats that might be adoptable but have to go because the shelters don't have the room for all of them. However Rescue organizations for horses won't resort to the same practice. Additionally some rescue organizations continue to import "rescue" horses from PMU farms in Canada all the while horses here in the US go uncared for. Rescues who do this are as much a cause of the problem. We need to stop the importing of "rescue horses" from other countries if we ban slaughter here.
Carole
Allen L - "There is nothing imhumane about selling an old horse and having them transported and put to death in a humane way at a slaughter plant."
Nothing is wrong except for the fact that "death in a humane way at a slughter plant" DOES NOT EXIST.
Stop the Slaughter
Allen L
I am glad i am not a horse. Sure the hell glad not yours! humaine.. Please .. Far from humaine. Watch the damn video already
http://video.hsus.org/ ?fr_story= af238f6e5ce156726675a947debdeab0ad670054&rf=sitemap
Mary
Garry, you are wrong. My 10 year old was forced to bid against kill buyers at a large sale (Kalona IA) for a 2000 pound horse they "missed" for the sale. Jerk ran the horse up to over $600 after saying to a 10 year old "let's go lil missy".
Turns out the horse had pulled the mayor, senators, govenor, and who know who else in parades. His mate had to be euthanized due to an injury, and this fine horse was traded inpart for another matched team. Owner put a new halter on the 16'2 hand draft, and said a prayer. We answered that prayer 5 days later when he ended up in the loose horse pen. He was 7 years, old, and my 10 year old walked him thru the chaos, and rode him barback with a twine string out back. Do NOT ever tell me these horse aren't wanted....I have HUNDREDS of first hand stories like this. And of STOLEN horses be slaughtered too.
Stop supporting the greedy few. Promote responsible breeding (AQHA cannot grasp this idea BTW) and sound training methods.
J Snyder
The slaughter process is not humane and anyone who thinks it is should watch the video on hsus.org website. A captive bolt pistol, designed for cattle, is used to shoot a metal bolt into the horse's skull. Most horses do not stand still and thus are shot with the bolt multiple times.
End unwanted horses by ending over breeding by AQHA, APHA and other breed registries. Don't support these organizations and don't support backyard breeders. Please encourage your senators and representatives to bring HR 503 and S 311 to the floor for a vote and end the inhumane transport of horses to slaughter.
Patience O'Dowd
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.)
S. Jurpik
STOP THE MADNESS! America should be ashamed it ever let this tragic and barbaric practice evolve in this country...especially when the horse is largely responsible for helping us settle here. BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER IN AMERICA.
Lynn I Am
I can't believe how WRONGLY 'informed' the pro-slaughter people are on here. Get educated before you show your ignorance. Slaughtering horses is archaic and barbaric. There's another poll/vote here, please vote FOR the horses! http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_311.html#commentform
Karen Johnson
Horses aren't raised as a food species, Americans don't eat them (for a number of good reasons), and slaughter is an inhumane process with serious cruelty as its hallmark and greed as its motivator.
Vicki
Please stop all aspects of slaughter and transportation to slaughter! American horses are given a number of vaccinations and medications that are absolutely not meant for human consumption! Not one other animal has served humans in the manner in which the horse has! Without the horse, we would have no country! They plowed our fields to feed us, carried our pioneers across the frontier, and our soldiers into battle. They deserve a more dignified end of life. "History was written on the back of a horse" and horses were a complete necessity for survival until the last century!
Jan
Make no mistake about it - slaughterhouses are in the meat packing business. They do not want old, sick, unwanted horses, the want young, healthy, meaty ones that they can make a profit on.
ERIKA
As a lifetime advocate of horses; am deeply in favor of ending slaughter forever. If you can't afford to feed and take proper care of them you do not deserve their company and companionship. 12/24/07 my 25 year old quarter horse was put down had serious medical issue. I let a vet humanely end his life and buried him in his pasture. My two other rescued ex-racehorses saved from killer buyers will never see the inside of a slaughterhouse! Vote for the horses and against slaughter....
LISA WHITE
A SENSELESS KILLING OF WHAT STANDS FOR WHAT A AMERICA WAS BUILD ON.DONATING THEIR SWEAT AND BODIES TO BUILD THIS COUNTRY ONLY TO BE SLAUGHTERED. SENSELESS!
Pamela Bertsch
Horses are a very important part of our American culture. In fact on December 13, 2004 (S.Res. 452)the Senate designated that day as the NATIONAL DAY OF THE HORSE and encouraged the PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES TO BE MINDFUL OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF HORSES TO THE ECONOMY, HISTORY AND CHARACTER OF THE UNITED STATES. (108th Congress) --- Being that horse slaughter consists of 1% of the entire U.S. Horse population it is ridiculous to think that we can't absorb these horses back into our horse infrastructure.
RO
Pass the bill!!!!!!!!! Horses helped build our Country, they are majestic animals and SHOULD NOT be sent to slaughter so Europeans and Asians can eat them.
Ann Marini
The majority of the American people want horse slaughter to end.
We must take back our country and restore true democracy. The people have spoken. Why haven't HR 503 and S311 passed? Organizations who pay big bucks to lobbyists control representatives and senators. Tell your representative and senators that their constituents VOTE them in or out. Congress MUST pay attention to the people (the many) not the lobbyists (the few).
Call your representative and senators. Tell them to get off their duffs and PASS HR503 and S311 or run the risk of getting voted out of office.
We must change the culture in Congress. Only through active participation through the voting process will those in Congress finally understand that they must listen to the PEOPLE!!!!
Judy Dodds
Anyone that thinks slaughter is a way to keep an older (any) animal from suffering is sadly uninformed. Until folks research and watch what actually happens in a slaughterhouse, they shouldn't vote against it. It's a heinous act - the bloody floor, the screams, the bolt in the head.. go watch for yourselves, then tell me it's humane.
Cora Adelizzi - IL
I am very much in favor of this bill.
There is nothing humane about horse slaughter...from the way they are transported, crammed into double decker trailers designed for cattle, deprived of food, water and rest, to the way they are brutally treated at the slaughter houses themselves.
A vast majority of Americans, including me, want slaughter and transport for slaughter permanently banned in this country.
Horse meat is not eaten in this country, nor is it used in pet food. These animals are being slaughtered to feed the appetites of wealthy Europeans.
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.
Christina McAdam
Horse slaughter is a disgrace. These animals were the backbone of our beautiful USA.
Ondine
A "Concerned Horse Owner" who is concerned about the horses would never support horse slaughter and opt for truly humane vet administered euthanasia.
A "Concerned Horse Owner" who is concerned about losing money off of selling their horse to the foreign-owned slaughter industry would not want to see the end of that blood money option.
The foreign owners of the horse slaughter industry take all of their product and the overwhelming majority of their profits overseas to benefit their economy, not ours.
They have created an inflated demand for horses that has predictably generated an inflated supply. Stop the demand by banning horse slaughter and the supply will adjust.
Is there something about the concept of basic supply and demand that the supporters of horse slaughter just cannot understand? Apparently so...
Suzanne
Don't slaughter horses.
Suzanne Marienau
Horse slaughter is a grisly, horrific business that must be stopped, NOW! Our horses have done nothing to deserve this terrible fate. It is way past time to send the foreign horse meat traders and their terrible palates home with the message, "Don't come back!!"
Cheryl Bradley
We are happy to hear they shut down all the horse slaughter plants in the USA.
The most inportant bill needs to be passed is to stop shipping, etc. our horses to other countries. We need to stop this madness and cruelty to all equines.
Mike
To Cheval 4 All, some people practice and believe in their Bibles. Only split hooved animals are for consumption. You have attacked and made fun of someone's religion. Also, you stated horsemeat could be used to feed the starving. How come it isn't? Answer us that, Batman!
CathyP
American horses are not bred for human consumption. We breed them, gentle them so that they trust us. The ultimate betrayal is to send them to the horrific death by slaughter. I've adopted a slaughterbound horse and there is absolutely nothing wrong with him.
For those who believe horse slaughter is humane, go watch a video. For those who believe it's the only solution to the over-population then STOP BREEDING!!! It's a no brainer. For those who see no other solution for the old & infirm.....try humane euthanasia by injection. If you can afford a horse, you can afford humane euthanasia. BTW....on average euthanasia and hauling of a dead carcass is equivalent to 1 months board.
PASS S311 IMMEDIATELY IF NOT SOONER AND END "AMERICA'S DIRTY LITTLE SECRET"!!
Jene
I am a registered Republican, but I am hard pressed to support any candidate who is against the horse slaughter act or eats horse meat. One must be either terribly ignorant or callous to allow horse slaughter to continue.
L Matte
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
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.
Shelley Sawhook
The issue of Soring is not an issue with this bill. Soring a horse or the forced exaggerated gait of TN Walking Horses has been illegal since the 1970s. The issue here to add the slaughter of horses for human consumption.
Slaughtering horses for human consumption is a horrific process. The methods used allow the animals to regain consciousness during the slaughter process. In other words the animals are hit in the head to STUN them, not kill them. They can awaken while their throats are slit. Death comes from bleeding to death or from drowning in their own blood. The MUST be alive during the bleeding out process otherwise their meat cannot be used, that is the law.
It is not a humane end to an old horse's life. These animals are young, healthy and often well trained animals obtained by purchase for unsuspecting sellers, through fraud or by theft.
Passage of this bill would PROTECT horse owners from fraud and theft as well as the animals.
Stop the Slaughter
I just wanted to tell you all that I have read all of these comments and I am very proud of some many people that are trying to stop the slaughter. Keep up the great work. We are all going to save a lot of horses lives..and to all the one against it.. you BETTER start doing some research and see how horrifing slaughter really is..Cheree
Horselover
I feel there are pros and cons to both side of this issue.Maybe with the plants closing people will stop breeding JUNK,there is a enough JUNK out there.I think that there should be some sort of control on BREEDERS.We need the get back to quality.
.If the plants stay closed then I guess the cattle and any other market plant should be closed also.I know people that have cows as pets,pigs,chickens and so on. I don't have a problem putting a horse down on are farm and not making a dime! But it cost us several hundred dollars to do it.The rendering companys take advantage of the horse people we can't just take are horse and bury it or leave it rot out in the back 40 like cattle farmers.We have to pay over a hundred dollars to have it picked up,cattle it's 25 dollars whats wrong with that picture?With No slaughter plants there is NO MARKET.OPEN THE DOORS BACK UP..STOP THE JUNK BREEDERS.
STS
Horselover. You should change your name if you think slaughter houses should be reopened. You want a horse pay the price to have it euthanized. This is your friend,companion. It doenst; matter how much it cost. you love it you should show it.Would you have your humane companion go to slaughter.. Get a life!
Robert L
Horse slaughter is horrific and it will never solve the abuse and neglect problem. We need to pass strict laws against horse and other animal abuse and then law enforcement must enforce these laws.
Since only 1% of the horses are shipped to Canada and Mexico for slaughter, it is preposterous to think that this horrific process disposes of the "unwanted" horses. Do you really think the American people are that STUPID?
America's "dirty little secret" is out of the box. The AQHA and other organizations like it cannot lie, deceive or use fallacious and unfounded articles to conceal the truth from the American people.
Overbreeding and registration of horses by unscrupulous breeders needs to stop. We all know they are striving for the next "Secretariat" but as was already stated: junk in means junk out. Make breeders be responsible for their breeding habits.
This debate should have been over years ago. Pass HR503 and S311. It's the right thing to do.
Barb AZ
When I met with my Congressman, the Honorable Trent Franks, he was APPALLED by the treatment of the horses in slaughtering plants, as well as conditions endured in transport.
Let's hope Representative Franks puts his vote where his mouth is.
Stop Killing Our Horses
Horse slaughter IS NOT HUMANE! Do not subject these animals to this final abuse and betrayal. Ending backyard breeding will help with the population issues.
Katie Moore
Horses are livestock and should be treated as such? I shall remember this the next time I purchase horse feed and am charged state sales tax on the same hay that would be tax-free if I were buying it for cattle.
I wonder how people would react if excess horses were dealt with on the local level, through Animal Control? As with dogs and cats, one could surrender their unwanted horse for euthanasia and disposal. Only then would you see change ---- once we all start paying the price for overbreeding.
And the American Quarter Horse Association and the Jockey Club and all their breeders, big and small, would just laugh their way to the bank.
Marie
Horse slaughter is truly "Americas Dirty Little Secret." It and the transportation that slaughter horses must endure is very inhumane. I have raised horses and beef cattle and feel that horse slaughter and transportation to should end immediately. Lets get this bill to the floor and voted on NOW.
Susan E.
Those who support horse slaughter, read the reports & watch slaughter videos on the HSUS site, SAPLINE, etc. HORSES ARE DISMEMBERED while they are still alive. Once the ban passes, there will be no more financial incentive for overbreeding & careless breeding. There is not going to be a horse overpopulation problem.
In the U.S., horses are pets, companions, performers, & service animals, just like dogs. We don't slaughter dogs for consumption in this country, nor would we ever permit our dogs to be shipped to Canada and Mexico to be slaughtered for food in Europe and Asia. Horses aren't livestock,and this bill won't hurt the livestock industry-it has nothing to do with hogs, cattle, sheep, or chickens.
ALL OF YOU--if you're thinking of buying a horse, remember that they can live 20-30 or more years. If you're not willing to be responsible for a horse till the end of its life, & not willing to provide it with humane euthanasia when the time comes, then DO NOT BUY A HORSE.
BETTY
There are many things about the ways that horses are used in the USA that are inhumane, but let's start with the thing we can stop now, shipping US horses to Canada and Mexico for slaughter!
Tasha V.
Well said Susan! All the people that have commented on this subject that are pro-slaughter need to wake up. Your statements have no facts. Slaughter is NOT humane euthanasia. There is plenty of evidence to prove that. Open your eyes. Would you like to die like that? I think not.
kelly dco
the horses are processed while STILL ALIVE!
Aleta Pahl
The horse should be the symbol of this country instead of the bald eagle who although, awe-inspiring, does not compare to the beauty, the courage, the steadfastness, and the loyalty of the horse for this country. It is OK to have a National Day of the Horse and then still send him off to slaughter? Who in their right mind thinks this is OK? Can't this Congress protect the literal backbone of this nation? We can ride into Westward expansion on his back, but we can't protect him? We can applaud at the Kentucky Derby, but we can't protect him? We can engrave him on the face of our new quarters like other national monuments, but we can't protect him? Anyone who has the ignorant gaul to favor slaughter needs to hide their head in shame and Congress better open their windows and let daylight in to Truth and the Will of the People here to protect our Horses once and for all.
Betty
It is time to end horse slaughter once and for all. The issue is not unwanted horses. It is irresponsible horse owners who want an easy way to dispose of their horses. Over-breeding is the issue. I am sick of hearing the same rhetoric over and over from people who don't give a %#@#$ about horses. If they did, they would not be pro-slaughter! You cannot know what goes on at these plants and still say it's okay. We will get this bill passed, and our horses will be safe once and for all!
Lin
Get real Larry I have a PMU that was in a kill pen at New Holland auction. He was 5 months old he is 3 now and doing great....go to the auctions and take a look at the young beautiful horses that are condemed to a horrible death because of greed.
Kathy
Hmmm...if we extend Larry Haun's logic to convalescent hospitals...we'd all be eating Soylent Green...
I CHOOSE to say NO to animal abuse...that includes transport to slaughter and slaughter... All the Larry Hauns in the world could not change my mind...I know right from wrong...and it has nothing to do with "convenience" or "capitalism"...kat
Ondine
I wonder why Horselover had such an emotional reaction to ending horse slaughter?
"I guess the cattle and any other market plant should be closed also. I know people that have cows as pets,pigs,chickens and so on."
Every animal you list is classified as a food source animal in the U.S. Apparently, you don't know that horses are not classified as food animals. So, you can stop fretting about the horse slaughter ban extending to food animals.
Dej
Allen L needs to educate himself about the horrors of horse slaugther.
His post only shows his ignorance. To even suggest that our horses are slaughtered "humanely" not only shows his ignorance of the English language (slaughter and humane is an oxymoron), but he has obviously not ever been to a slaughter house nor has he done any research on the transport the horses endure on the way to their death.
HR 503 and S 311 will pass in 2008. I think that is pretty evident from the poll and all of the posts on this thread and on the S 311 thread.
Lynne
Please vote 'yes' on this bill to stop the slaughter of our American horses!
Horses helped settle this country and I feel very strongly they deserve better, MUCH better, than ending up in the bellies of wealthy European and Japanese diners!
Sinikka Crosland
Horse slaughter is a betrayal of trust, where lives have ended painfully, cruelly and tragically in the confines of a blood-stained killing box. This practice is an abomination. Our society's moral progress will not begin until we can wipe the blood of horses from our hands and place them in safe pastures.
Mel
Its about time for this to pass. Its been too long now. If your horse is sick or dangerous EUTHANIZE him. Dont send him to auction for another person to take care of for you. Horses are companion animals like dogs and cats they are not raised to be food animals. Has anyone seen the list of pharmaceuticals that are in horsemeat?
Michael Murray
The solution to horse over population is controlled breeding programs, not slaughter, here or across our borders.
Michelle
AMEN Michael Murray!!! And Sinnika Crosland! Many of you have said this very well. Horse slaughter has absolutely NOTHING to do with taking care of "unwanted horses" or animal "control"...It is a sick, greedy FOREIGN business that does not pay taxes and "drains" our economy, and for what? So they can steal, maim, and torture our young, healthy, sound (and pregnant) horses - ending in a brutal death after much terror. Then they "count their millions" - And for those who feel this is our "market"...WRONG! They are laughing out loud at that statement, as the U.S. makes no gains from this "dirty" practice and the foreign-owned businesses are making millions from the deaths of our horses. The PRO-slaughter folks are the ones who need to "wake up" and realize this is an atrocity, it's digusting and immoral and it's ANTI-American. WE NEED TO PASS HR503 & S311 NOW!!!
Antigone
Horse slaughter has been illegal since 1958 when President Eisenhower signed the Humane Slaughter Act into law. There is no way to slaughter a horse and be in compliance with this statute. There is no such thing as 'kind' slaughter, and slaughter is NOT euthanasia and that is why it is called slaughter. These bills, logically, should have to enforce the exports only as the major part of the bill banning slaughter is redundant as it is ALREADY ILLEGAL to slaughter a horse, and has been since 1958.
The statute exists, the USDA has never enforced it, and apparently Congress has forgotten about this now 50 year old statute that has been amended twice, most recently in 2002. If you can't afford to feed a horse, pay for the medical care and have funds to euthanize the horse when the time comes, you do not have any business owning a horse. The horses that go to kill are NOT old, they average 9 years old.
Help Pass this Bill-Help the Horses!
REALITY OF HORSE SLAUGHTER!
http://video.hsus.org/ ?fr_story= af238f6e5ce156726675a947debdeab0ad670054&rf=sitemap
Beth of NEER
Some of you people really need to get the FACTS about horse slaughter. Take a visit to the auction, follow a slaughterbound horse ALL the way to it's death....watch it suffer.
Too many horses?? Talk to the AQHA!
It's a disgrace to America...we kill our own symbol of freedom so that somebody ELSE can eat it.
Beth
www.newenglandequinerescues.com
Anne Russek
Hr 503 has beeb debated for five tears, and EVERY year the majority of Americans say PASS IT!. Many legislators against the bill used to argue that horse slaughter was a "states issue". Since the only three remaining horse slaughter houses have been closed down because the states they were in wanted them banned, why hasn't this bill been passed on the federal level? Big Agriculture lobbyists, the AVMA, the AAEP along with pro slaughter horse organizations such as the AQHA are the only minority voices that are preventing passage. Their agenda is for the industrial use of all animals. Congress needs to pass this bill ASAP.
Lynne
Just pass this PLEASE. Too many lives have been lost due to this dragging on and on.
grammote
Euthanize
1. an easy and painless death
2. act or practice of causing death painlessly, so as to end suffering: advocated by some as a way to deal with persons dying of incurable, painful diseases
Slaughter
1: to kill (animals) for food : butcher
2 a: to kill in a bloody or violent manner : slay b: to kill in large numbers : massacre
The AVMA and AQHA needs to join with the USHS and the majority of American Citizens who are against slaughter and find a pasture,food , shelter, and Vet care for all America's Horses. Over Breeding must STOP !! All incentives for over breeding must STOP !!
vicki
Concerned horse owner, after reading your post, you do not offer one reason that horse slaughter should exist. You site the 70s and 80s - it's 2008. Pet food doesn't contain horse meat and horses are not part of our food chain. Kill buyers are not performing a service, they're not culling. They are BUYING horses. The fact they are bidding and outbidding others, tells me the horses are wanted. The only thing that will right the prices is stop the over breeding.
funchy
If we use horse slaughter to "fix" any problems in the horse community, why aren't you also voting for China to open up a puppy & kitten slaughterhouse here? After all they're expensive to feed and overbred, too.
Slaughter rewards irresponsibility. The breeders who find it offensive to dump their babies are not getting as much income as those who do dump (since slaughter pays you to dump). It also help keep the PMU industry profitable; those foals aren't bred to be good horses - the farmer only wants a pregnant mare and the foal is trash to him.
Slaughter also makes it impossible for the most basic horse welfare laws to be upheld for some horses because they're "meat" horses. This is nuts. We know these 'brokers' beat, underfeed, mishandle, and refuse vet care for slaughterbound horses. I've seen it 1st hand) but nobody will touch it. After all the horse is "going to slaughter" and will be dead soon anyway.
Jessica
KILLING IS MURDER!
Annie
Folks - this is a "no brainer" and our beloved horses have been paying the price for too long. When you take a look at the facts - there is no doubt you will come up with the same thoughts - "no brainer !" Horses have served us for hundreds of years - and have helped build our nation. Today .. in addition to pure pleasure riding - they serve injured soldiers in hippotherapy programs - mustangs serve as border patrol mounts - and so much more. Time to let GREED die ...... and do the right thing .... pass this legislation !
Allen
If you are depending on the horse slaughter Industry to keep your economy up you need to raise a better quality of horse or find something that is profitable. If you take care of your horses as most people do then you worm, vaccinate, give pain meds etc. and then if you take them to sell for slaughter you are nothing more than a criminal violating federal law because the meds used in horses are not for use in animals intended for human consumption. As far as you talking like we are not in the real world guess again, I am a farmer; I raise Boer meat goats, Nigerian Dwarf milk goats, Angus cattle and oh yea I also have 21 horses I care for. No one ever said it would be easy so you either need to diversify or find another line of work. Welcome to America where we don’t eat horses.
Debbie
Pass HR 503 Now!
Ann Marini
BRAVO Allen!
The pro-slaughter people need to get a life! If they can't make enough money at their current occupation, they do need to find another type of job. They can even go back to school and get a better education so they can have more earning power. How novel is that!
The whole reason that the ASPCA was established in the 19th Century was to stop animal cruelty who think like the pro-slaughter people. To think of a horse, a companion animal, as just a piece of "property" to be disposed of in a horrific horse slaughterhouse, is 19th Century thinking. Get with the program. It is the 21st Century. Social progress must not be allowed to regress.
Lisa clark
Do I like the idea of horses being slaughtered NO... but the alternative for many of these animals is a slow death to starvation and neglect and I like that even less. There is a place and a need in our society for slaughter houses, cattle, hogs, sheep and yes horses. It is expensive to despose of a dead horse and if you live where you can not bury it on your property it is even harder (I have already seen horses being turned loose to make it or not on their own). I have horses, sheep and cattle and I know the emotional attachment there is especially to the horse, without them we would not have built this country. Most of the horses we have are BLM mustangs we adopted wild so I understand that aspect of it also. But we need slaughter for horses.
Ann Marini
Lisa Clark: If people can't afford to feed, care for, pay for euthanasia and fees for the rendering truck to pick up the dead horse, DON'T OWN THEM. It is ludicrous to use slaughter as a justification for irresponsible behavior.
Horse slaughter is all about greed, greed, and more greed.
Allen
Lisa Clark,
You say, "(I have already seen horses being turned loose to make it or not on their own)" Well those people you saw were criminals did you report them? We will assume you did, so with good moral people like you around we will not have to worry about those horses being starved or neglected.
Melissa in AZ
In poll after poll, over 80% of American citizens oppose American horses being slaughtered for the consumption market overseas. Congress needs to PASS THIS LEGISLATION now. Horse slaughter by its very nature is horrifically cruel and only serves irresponsible owners and industries. It is not a substitute for humane euthansia and should not be confused as being humane euthanasia. Horses are companion and service animals, not farm factory "product". The last time this went before Congress, it passed by two thirds in both the House and the Senate, but government bureaucracy found a handy loophole to permit horse slaughter to continue. So the will of the majority of the American people is clear in this matter: the large majority of Americans want horse slaughter to stop NOW.
Shelly Kramer
This is so important. The slaughter of horses is horrific and the transportation almost worse. Please move quickly to pass this bill into law as soon as possible!
Shelly Kramer
Burbank, California
Karen
To Lisa Clark
Starvation and neglect is considered abuse and is illegal in this supposedly civilized country. Starvation and neglect are not legal ALTERNATIVES in any circumstances for any animal that is no longer wanted. Before owning any animal, a responsible and educated human should be able to recognize the cost of end of life care. If they cannot commit to that, then ownership should never happen. Watch the slaughter video - that could be your horse, it would never be one of mine.
RO
Congress LISTEN....... 78% FOR 22% Against, get this bill on the floor Now and vote FOR it!
Barb AZ
I must agree with RO. Congress needs to LISTEN to the American people. Let's get these bills PASSED.
MK23
It's time to passa the AHSPA...we the people have waited too long.
In reading many of these comments, my belief in what is wrong with America is ever solidified: Ignorance, apathy, greed and inability to evolve.
Kate Sullivan
Only an end to slaughter will prevent the breeding for slaughter that has arisen. Far from culling the old (do we buther our OLD dogs and cats for their fur?) MOST horses slaughtered are now young and healthy. This from the Ag reports.
This is NOT your father's slaughter economy. It has changed with the price for horse meat in Japan and Europe. Now a bunch of low life's are scouring the countryside for horses. They almost always travel with children and convince folks thier horses are going to a good home. Or they make deals with the auction houses and alot of horses going to slaughter NEVER ARE EVEN OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC. This is not hearsay. This has been reported from numerous communities. Furthermore this meat is UNSAFE for human consumption. You either HAVE parasites or you HAVE severe chemicals forbidden in the human food chain. Which do you prefer?
Hans
Note to ALL senators and congressmen...some of you have attempted to stonewall this legislation long enough!!! We the voting american public will not go away this time!!! WE ARE ORDERING you to LISTEN TO THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY and PASS THESE BILLS...NOW!!!! DO SOMETHING GOOD for A CHANGE !!!!
Ann Marini
We will NOT go away Congress. All of us are watching. The majority rules. It is the foundation of our DEMOCRACY!
You took an oath to be faithful to the Constitution of the United States. We expect you to honor your commitment to the democratic principles that embodies that Constitution.
Cheree
Lisa Clark
Where do you live? We can send an investigator out there.
Or have you already reported and the ASPCA has sent someone out there, As good as a citizen you must be. LOL
Robert L
For those farmers that feel that they are so dependent on traditional methods of running a farm. Perhaps, they should consider making an investment in what promises to be the wave of the future: alternative energy production. This can be viewed as a new "crop." For example, farmers in the state of Minnesota have created wind farms based on local investment and creation of cooperatives. In this way, farmers can be protected from the vagaries of the agricultural economy.
Go to your state legislative and lobby for new ways to help the farmer instead of relying on 19th Century thinking.
RO
Lisa Clark,
Euthanasia and cremation are always alternatives.
Stop the Slaughter
You can even donate your horse corpse to a research center.
terry berns
Yes, we must prohibit transport of horses to slaughter plants inside and outside of the U.S.
If anyone foolishly thinks the only horses going to slaughter plants are sick and old perhaps you should spend time at a slaughter plant. No, many of these horses are young, healthy, well trained, wonderful animals that have become an "inconvenience" to their owners who are part of this "throw away society". Some are a by-product of greed by drug manufacturers in the business of making Premarin or products of uneducated overbreeding for the almighty dollar.
Wake up, they are NOT euthanized before they're slaughtered! That's simply a fairytale! They receive a bolt to the head which many times misses the brain so they are still aware of what's happening to them, they urinate and deficate out of shear terror, their throats cut as they are lifted by the back legs to bleed out and be butchered.
How "humane" does that sound?
susan baizley
Please, please pass this bill and stop the inhumane treatment and death to our american horses. They were not bred or raised as food for human consumption.
Thank you, susan
Stop the Slaughter
Please make sure you all visit the other board and vote on the other bill.
http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_311.html
Linda
Passing this bill is a no-brainer in a civilized and humane nation.
Do NOT be taken in by pro-slaughter propaganda!
Elizabeth
This bill needs to be passed. Horse lovers like myself are supporting thousands of these unwanted or abandoned horse with our time and/or money. Places for these horses to go for love, care, and adoption are all over this country. And for those of you who don't "get it," euthanaisa is not the same as slaughter. Do your homework!
Tom D.
Larry, Assuming you're a horse person and not a paid flunky or wacko ideologue, do an Internet search for videos of horse slaughter and decide if it's humane.
Cowcutter
Excess horses. Reputable horse rescues are trying to take up slack; BUT they need your support. Over breeding-but that takes on the rights of owners to breed. An ideal world would be a good home for every horse. I bought my 3 year old from the slaugher pen-he probably ended up there because although well bred, he was starved, beaten, left out in the elements; the worse he was treated the more scared he became & the more eratic his behavior. From his rough treatment-saddle training is going to take a long time as this horse has fear and trust issues. But someone who bred him spent time on his ground manners -- inept person buys young horses. A recipe for disaster. If you have the expertise take a horse whose slaughter bound and give him a chance do so. Its a long trip to Mexico and a hideous end in a plant down there. There are no easy answers.
apples4B
Horses are not livestock. Horses are not food or any other commodity. This bill is long overdue to be passed. Do it for Americas's horses. And to the 20% that say no, shame on you.
Karl
To all pro-slaugter people: What if a Korean company were to build a dog slaughterhouse for the pupose of sending the meat to Korea for human consuption? What if this company paid no taxes? What if your dog was stolen because someone wanted to make a quick buck by selling it to a slaughterhouse and your dog was packed into a crowded trailer with no food or water for a couple of days? We euthanize dogs and cats, and most horses for that matter. If you can afford to keep a horse for one month, you can afford to euthanize it, the cost is about the same or less.
Aleta Pahl
The vast majority of Americans want horse slaughter ended once and for all. Let us all do something tomorrow: each and everyone of us needs to call our senators and congressmen and tell their aides that this time we demand the bills be brought to the floor for a vote, and be passed into law before another year goes by and another 100,000 horses die horrible deaths. We can all do this, right? You can even use the 800 numbers for the Congress switchboard and ask for the office of your senator or congressmen and then even call the leadership members of both the House and Senate. The more calls they get, the better. Let's roll.....
The numbers are 800-828-0498 or 800-459-1887 or 800-614-2803.
Nancy L from FL
Any bill that supports the non-killing of any animal gets my vote. When the JQ public starts to endorse the eating of horses they have gone too far --- get a reality check people
Patricia
this country was built on the backs of horses in all aspects . why should foreign people come here and exploit horses for food animals becasue they eat horsemeat. the hauling of horses to slaughter by the souless slaguther buyers is an abomination and the only way to stop it is this bill. give the horses a chance for God sake.
Maxine Hulse
Horses are a huge part of our history and heritage - they should be protected for all time.
horselover
Okay you all keep saying do your home work so i did.Here is just a small bit of info.
The first domestication of the horses was probably in the steppes between 3000 and 4000 B.C. These first animals were kept for meat and milk. As early man became more mobile undoubtedly horses began to be used as pack animals.
Early humans and horses first met some 50,000 years ago, but at the time they were used as a source of food. Archeological evidence shows that herding the horses into a natural cul-de-sac to make them easier to hunt.
Barb AZ
One more time. The numbers say it all:
80% want these bills (including S 311) PASSED.
Kay Lightner
The slaughter of horses is a cruel practice designed solely for profit. Americans would never allow other pets to be treated so inhumanely to end up on foreign dinner plates, earnin tax-free money for foreign-owned corporations. It must stop for the sake of our beloved horses.
karen
To horselover
Did you watch the horse slaughter video start to finish? That is part of your homework. Is that your horse being gutted alive? or maybe a horse that you know? Maybe you would like to send your next horse there and have its murder filmed so that you can always remember your horses last scream for help? Look at the terror, abondonment and pain in their eyes and tell me that this practice is a humane end of life choice for someone's loyal companion or work animal.
Kathy J.
Please let's stop the shipping of our horses out of the country to face barbaric slaughter, and then end up on a European dinner plate. Thank you.
Debbie Anderson
It is about time we quit letting foreign countries eat our horses. What a disgrace!
Dyana
We must put an end to this barbaric practice of slaughtering our American Horses, to feed humans in another country. The killing is not humanely done. These horses are feeling and frightened. They trust us, and willingly do our bidding. They are gently and proud. THEY ARE NOT CATTLE, AND IN NO WAY DESERVE TO BE TREATED AS SUCH, OR AS NOT NEEDED OR USEFUL ANYMORE SO DISPOSABLE. HELLO!!! Please help to stop the inhumane, awful, barbaric killing of such noble and sensitive and intelligent horses!
Andi Callahan
I just did the STUPEDIST thing and pressed "vote against" this bill. It was a mistake - I am FOR this bill. We should be good stewards of all other living things and not use any other living thing for our own purposes. When we forget this, we forget to be human ourselves.
Lisa C.
To the people that say they should be able to do what they want with their property, I say, read a lawbook! It is unlawful to mistreat a dog even though it is your property. The people that state that they can't afford to care for their animals should not have purchased them in the first place. Americans need to be more responsible in every aspect, including the care for a horse. There is NOTHING humane about a horse slaughter house. I am an equine veterinarian and have seen it first hand! Everyone should view the video on www.vetsforequinewelfare.org and watch the "humane slaughter" of a horse. Simply, don't buy something if you can't afford to care for it completely! It only costs $200-$300 to euthanize a horse.
chris
I know a man who breeds horses for fun. Wants to see what blank bred to blank will produce . Then he sells them for a little bit of nothing and calls himself a horse dealer. When he found out about this legislation and the fact that he might not be able to "dispose" of the unsellable ones at auction so easily he stopped breeding so haphazardly.
Bianca
Horses are not food animals in America. They carried us in battle, plowed our fields, & pulled our wagons.
Over 70% of Americans want horse slaughter to end.
The claim that ending horse slaughter will cause an outbreak of abuse and neglect is a myth. The presence of the slaughter industry encourages over breeding and poor horse stewardship. When the Cavel slaughterhouse in Illinois burned down years ago, cases of neglect actually 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.
Slaughter takes horses that are typically in their prime, including foals, yearlings and pregnant mares, it does not help the economy. Every useful horse slaughtered is one less horse creating jobs in our economy.
Maribel
There are times in everyones life when you are just ashamed to admit that you are part of the human race!!
The horse slaughter industry drags humanity to an all time low !! Fed and motivated by GREED and BETRAYAL it still manages to eek out an existance for itself!!
Take a big deep breath slaughter..maybe you should make that a gasp??? The american people have had enough of this disgusting self serving industry!!!!
80% for 20% opposed
THAT SAYS IT ALL !!!
Senators lets stop playing games while innocent animals are dying gruesome deaths!!! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???
Allen
Maribel,
They are waiting on Senator Larry Craig who has put a hold on the bill S311. I will also say that the AVMA donated $5,000 to him. http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/memberprofile.asp?cid=N00002091&cycle=2008&... Regardless of where anyone stands one Senator should not be able to thwart the will of the American people that makes him a dictator.
Ellen
Boy there are some really stupid people commenting here. Horse slaughter is one of the most inhumane deaths an animal can suffer. This country was borne on the backs of horses. They've carried us into battle and away from danger. Read the newspapers idiots. The horses of Arlington National Cemetery are now being used as therapy for returning wounded soldiers. Horses have been used for centuries for therapy. Two great racehorses, Ferdinand and Exceller, died in slaughter houses. I would not say these were old, useless horses. They just ended up with the wrong owners. Many people are trying to rescue these horses headed for slaughter because they're young, and healthy and have many good years left. Wake up America. The whole country is headed down the wrong path, and this is just one more sign of it. Do you have no loyalty to an animal that has given so much?
Steven
The laws to prohibit slaughter has caused an increase in the inhumane treatment of animals; ask any animal control official and/or the charges on file. It is common sense. Unfortunately those who passed the bill has caused horses to be slaughtered now in Mexico, and there is no control over humane euthanasia. The situation needs to be reversed to humanely be able to euthanize unwanted horses.
Della Micah
The conditions under which horses are transported to slaughter in Canada and Mexco are appalling. This is a cruel industry. We need to protect America's horses. Please pass this bill.
Della Micah
Pkymouth Meeting, PA
Muriel Cook
Horses have always had a special relationship with people. they are not cattle which are bred for eating (although I am a vegetarian)
and nothing on thios erarth deserves t be slaughtered like they are. These are kind, gentle creatures/ Washington, do something right for a change - keep horses to be enjoyed on the hoof and dispose of them gently when they are done serving man.
karenwi
I must make a statement....We who are fighting for the lives of America's horses are NOT terrorists.I am an American. Grandma living next door.Your neighbor .. And why ? I can think of NO other reason then for the $$$ they are afraid of losing.I am the person next door that still believes in the virtues of treating others kindly and with respect. That goes for you to proslaughter persons . So PLEASE stop referring to me, to your neighbors, your American brothers and sisters as TERRORISTS. We are not the ones slaughtering anything. Thank you. And we must save America's horses by legally appealing to our government to pass S311 / HR 503. This is what makes America great !
Mary Kaye Vavasour
It is TIME to get this done...horse slaughter is grossly inhumane, as is the transport of horses for this purpose!
Walter Cockroft
I live in Texas, home to some of the worst equine abuse cases in the U.S. Also home to two ex-horse slaughter houses. I have eight horses whom I love dearly and will protect them at all costs. Horse theives are alive and well in Texas and they will remain that way until this bill is passed. Help me protect my horses, vote FOR HR503.
LeeAnn
It's hard to believe any domestic American horse could even be considered a safe food source. My horse has had more vacinations in the 5 years I've owned her than I've had in my life. Not the mention the fly sprays, worming and medication. Maybe her joint supplement would be helpful if ashe were consumed but I doubt if her thyroid medicine would be. I work in a grocery store and people are spending more and more $$$ on organics and what they want to consider safe food, can any show or race horse really be considered safe to eat? Just one more reason to consider banning the slaughter of horses.
Robert
This bill has been delayed for too long. It should be passed now!
Janice
If you own and love a horse, you will not even consider sending it to slaughter. You would spend the $$$ (about the cost of one month's grain and hay) to euthanize humanely when the time comes. People who are cruel to an animal won't think twice about being cruel to people either.
Cheri
Horses are not livestock. Horses are not food or any other commodity. This bill is long overdue to be passed. Do it for Americas's horses!!!!!
ELLEN
One of the things that can be done, to stop an overpopulation of horses, is to ask the pharmaceutical companies to cease the production of hormone meds for women that are made from the urine of pregnant mares. There's an alternative called Ogen, made from potatoes I believe, and is just as effective. How do I know? I asked my doctor to switch me, and Ogen works just fine. Count me in, still, as anti-slaughter. If horses need to die, it should be done humanely.
JC from New Mexico
The bible clearly states that "horses are NOT to be eaten". Please stop the slaughtering of these precious creations.
Betty
Enough is enough! It is well past time to pass this bill and protect our horses. No more rhetoric. There is no good reason to oppose this bill--PERIOD!
Horselover
Please visit the link below and vote against it. The passage of this bill will do more harm to horses than protect them. United States slaughter houses are a humane. Now with the temporary injunction against horse slaughter, horses are starving to death and suffering. Horse slaughter is no more inhumane than cattle, swine, or any other livestock process. While in Kaufman, TX last spring, (location of one of these closed houses) residents were telling me of starving horses. It seems that people were still bringing unwanted horses to Texas and turning them loose. Leaving local Sherriff Offices and other authorities no option but to round up these horses. Big problem; small pens, lots of horses, and no food. They are slowly and inhumanely dying. Please contact your senators and urge them to vote NO on Senate Bill 311. Also This same scenerio is happening in WI/ MN also. Very unkind to be dropping off horses and letting them survive themselves.
Horselover
I just spoke with a lawyer yesterday. Here in WI the law books still say HORSES ARE LIVESTOCK.SO Get YOUR Facts Straight.
Stop the Slaughter
Walter,
Dont worry my friends and I are going to get this passed sooner or later.
Give your horses kisses from me!
Cheree
www.freewebs.com/sherryswebsite/
Katt in Washington state
It is the responsibility of EVERY horse owner to "dispose of" of their horses. Pawning them off for a couple bucks because you can is an outrage. Do you take your dog to the canner? If you can afford a horse you can afford to have it put down. Stop breeding for quantity. The market has crashed. Find another way to put your horse down. I'll give you $25 rather then see it slaughtered.
We are not eating them here - so stop it!
Poisioning Europe
Now wait a minute. We should not pass this bill. We need to sell all our old sick and heavily medicated horses to Europe. That way we can watch them die off and take OVER THE PLANET!
Stop The Slaughter
Poisioning Europe,
Thats a good idea and funny but it still doesnt stop the torture and cruelty of these horses in transport and at the slaughter horse.
Hopefully the poison is already making it way through there bodies.
oh boy
now that I have read the whole bill I definately say WE NEED THE HORSE PLANTS re opened, I show horses and this is JUST WRONG here is the wording Amends 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.
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to detain for examination, testing, or the taking of evidence: (1) any horse at any horse show, horse exhibition, or horse sale or auction which is sore or which the Secretary has probable cause to believe is sore; and (2) any horse or other equine which the Secretary has probable cause to believe is being shipped, transported, moved, delivered, received, possessed, purchased, sold, or donated in violation of such prohibition.
From Missouri
here in Missouri horses are to classified as "LIVESTOCK" and are put in the catagory with COWS,CHICKENS,PIGS, SHEEP, GOATS, ALL of which are eaten.
Stop The Slaughter
Whats wrong with the wording?
This is probably a good one!lol
Sally
Horse slaughter is an insult to Americans, history, and humanity. This torturous murder of our equines NEEDS TO STOP YESTERDAY.
oh boy
stop the slaughter
did you not read the wording, if a person shows and IF his horse should step on a stone to the show ring and limp a bit, the usda could take that horse because it is sore...you only read what you wanted to...also if the racehorse should pull a tendon the same thing could happen to it they could take it as well or maybe even your horse, if it should be just a tad bit "SORE"
Sony
Yes, Lynne, we HAVE seen the quarters. Vote yes, help protect our beloved horses like our cats and dogs are protected already. Horses are much more than disposable flesh.
Stop The Slaughters
All you care about is your damn shows. If he gets hurt they can take him away, you dont care about your horse anyway. All you caRE about is winning stupid ribbons and winning some money. If you cared, you would not want horse slaughter.
You go STS!
83% FOR, 17 AGAINST! lets get more votes! contact all you horse friends! Lets all stop the slaughter/Torture Together!!!
Audrey Reynolds
STOP THE MURDEROUS SLAUGHTER OF AMERICAN HORSES TO FEED FOREIGN GOURMANDS.
Neal Reynolds
How many more calls, faxes, letters do these politicians need to see/hear? Don't they get the message already. Americans do not want any part of horse slaughter anymore.
stop the slaughters
YOU have no idea what you are saying , sounds like you are despirate, I don't go to the shows for $$$$ I take my adopted son to the fun shows ALL of them and we go everywhere as he loves horses, BUT I still see a need to get rid of the so called JUNK you poeple say and slaughter plants are it, and as you say put a horse down, have you thought it all thru? vet comes to home=mileage and time, vet puts down,$$$$, then you need to call a back how which is $$$$$$ , so the simple way of putting down is not so simple!!
Patty
The majority of Americans want HR503 passed to protect our horses from the dangerous transportation to be inhumanly slaughtered. There have been 2 accidents shown in the media, Missouri & near the Cavel slaughter plant in a little over the past year. They show the double decker trailers made for cattle NOT horses overturned and the ultimate price these horses stacked on top of each other had to pay with serious injuries and worse their lives! There have been very good issues presented on voting yes and passing this bill. If more people watched the slaughter video, it might change some minds also. Vote Yes now!!!
BLACK BEAUTY
Oh their are plenty of stupid peopld here and heartless. First and foremost the majority of horses were demesticated to help the human, many years ago. They became pets. They trust humans and they love their family. Kinda like a big dog? My friend's horse died the other day 30 yrs old. peacefully,animal control came with a truck and removed her body and she was creamated for 300 dollars. This is how a companion pet is suppossed to leave this world. NOT TO AN AUCTION, NOT SOLD BY THE POUND, NOT STUFFED INTO A TRUCK AND GET BUTCHERED DO DEATH. LAWS HAVE TO BE MADE TO PROTECT THEM...VOTE THIS BILL AND STOP BELIEVING THE UNWANTED CRAP...THEY ARE DOING THIS FOR MONEY. HORSES HELPED OUR ANCESTORS YOU HELP THEM NOW. WATCH THE VIDEO LOOK AT THAT GREYS FACE...THEY KNOW..BETRAYAL AND CRY YOUR EYES OUT LIKE IV'E BEEN DOING FOR YEARS.
Black Beauty
I would also like to mention Coco's small herd knew she was dead before any human did...sense, they were standing around calling to her. They also stood by the fence and called to her...mourned
They stayed there till her body was taken away. What do you think they think, and they do have high senses and intellegence.WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY THINK when they are on thier way to a slaughter house and get inside? THIS IS AMERICAS DISGRACE...vote this bill and together we can protect our horses.
Stop the SLaughter
Black Beauty
Sorry to hear of your lost at least she lived a long life and died peacefull with people and horse friend that she loved.
www.freewebs.com/sherryswebsite/
Stop the Slaughter
Thank you...she was a good old girl and had a wonderful life. A life that every horse deserves to have. Until they are safe...Hugs to you
Stephanie & Rob
Our horse was found at slaughter auction. Old?-No., Sick?-No., Injured?-No., Mean?-No., Unwanted?-Only by the "people" who threw him away. Some days he's our favorite family member and he's welcome to