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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 (327 comments ↓)
- This item is from the 110th Congress (2007-2008) and is no longer current. Comments, voting, and wiki editing have been disabled, and the cost/savings estimate has been frozen.
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 
Cheryl Bradley
January 5, 2008, 11:10am (report abuse)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
January 5, 2008, 11:13am (report abuse)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
January 5, 2008, 11:27am (report abuse)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
January 5, 2008, 12:07pm (report abuse)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
January 5, 2008, 12:21pm (report abuse)When you take into consideration the number of horses that were imported from Canada, the number of horses stolen, the number of horses sold under false pretense, the number of horses that were by products of Premarin, the number of horses bred for the sole purpose of slaughter, and the number of horses that will be humanely euthanized, the number of horses left are far less than what the pro horse slaughter advocates want you to believe. Horse slaughter is NOT a service to help owners dispose of a horse. It is a business and as long as other countries will buy the product the slaughter houses will supply the product.
L Matte
January 5, 2008, 12:22pm (report abuse)Continued ~ Go to manesandtailsorganization.org/stats.htm and take a look at the statistics. At one time in 1990 345,700 horses were butchered in 1994 107,029 and in 2000 47,134. Where did all of those horses go? Once again the supply and demand fact is what comes into play. The fact of the matter is slaughter of horses is abusive, barbaric and a cruel way to end a life regardless of any unwanted horse claims. Horse owner's that abuse and starve their horses will abuse and starve their horses with or without slaughter.
Do your research hsus.org or saponline.org Horse slaughter is un-American call your legislators and tell them to pass S 311/HR 503 now.
Shelley Sawhook
January 5, 2008, 12:35pm (report abuse)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
January 5, 2008, 1:19pm (report abuse)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
January 5, 2008, 2:02pm (report abuse)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
January 5, 2008, 2:22pm (report abuse)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
January 5, 2008, 2:27pm (report abuse)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
January 5, 2008, 2:59pm (report abuse)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
January 5, 2008, 3:24pm (report abuse)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
January 5, 2008, 3:35pm (report abuse)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
January 5, 2008, 4:11pm (report abuse)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.
January 5, 2008, 7:22pm (report abuse)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
January 5, 2008, 8:02pm (report abuse)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.
January 5, 2008, 8:05pm (report abuse)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.
Aleta Pahl
January 5, 2008, 8:21pm (report abuse)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
January 5, 2008, 8:32pm (report abuse)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
January 5, 2008, 8:57pm (report abuse)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
January 5, 2008, 10:09pm (report abuse)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
January 5, 2008, 10:42pm (report abuse)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
January 5, 2008, 11:06pm (report abuse)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
January 5, 2008, 11:35pm (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 1:57am (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 2:11am (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 5:46am (report abuse)The solution to horse over population is controlled breeding programs, not slaughter, here or across our borders.
Michelle
January 6, 2008, 7:07am (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 8:47am (report abuse)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!
January 6, 2008, 9:30am (report abuse)REALITY OF HORSE SLAUGHTER!
http://video.hsus.org/ ?fr_story= af238f6e5ce156726675a947debdeab0ad670054&rf=sitemap
Beth of NEER
January 6, 2008, 9:32am (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 9:37am (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 9:41am (report abuse)Just pass this PLEASE. Too many lives have been lost due to this dragging on and on.
grammote
January 6, 2008, 10:34am (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 10:35am (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 10:40am (report abuse)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.
Annie
January 6, 2008, 11:03am (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 11:12am (report abuse)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.
Ann Marini
January 6, 2008, 11:35am (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 11:39am (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 11:48am (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 12:08pm (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 12:11pm (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 12:11pm (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 12:18pm (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 1:34pm (report abuse)Congress LISTEN....... 78% FOR 22% Against, get this bill on the floor Now and vote FOR it!
Barb AZ
January 6, 2008, 2:10pm (report abuse)I must agree with RO. Congress needs to LISTEN to the American people. Let's get these bills PASSED.
MK23
January 6, 2008, 2:19pm (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 3:01pm (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 3:03pm (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 3:43pm (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 4:27pm (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 4:31pm (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 6:48pm (report abuse)Lisa Clark,
Euthanasia and cremation are always alternatives.
Stop the Slaughter
January 6, 2008, 6:50pm (report abuse)You can even donate your horse corpse to a research center.
terry berns
January 6, 2008, 7:25pm (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 7:26pm (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 7:36pm (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 7:50pm (report abuse)Passing this bill is a no-brainer in a civilized and humane nation.
Do NOT be taken in by pro-slaughter propaganda!
Elizabeth
January 6, 2008, 8:47pm (report abuse)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.
January 6, 2008, 9:16pm (report abuse)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
January 6, 2008, 11:08pm (report abuse)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
January 7, 2008, 12:02am (report abuse)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
January 7, 2008, 12:24am (report abuse)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
January 7, 2008, 12:28am (report abuse)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
January 7, 2008, 6:11am (report abuse)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
January 7, 2008, 6:30am (report abuse)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
January 7, 2008, 7:47am (report abuse)Horses are a huge part of our history and heritage - they should be protected for all time.
horselover
January 7, 2008, 9:42am (report abuse)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
January 7, 2008, 10:04am (report abuse)One more time. The numbers say it all:
80% want these bills (including S 311) PASSED.
Kay Lightner
January 7, 2008, 10:45am (report abuse)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
January 7, 2008, 10:46am (report abuse)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.
January 7, 2008, 10:58am (report abuse)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
January 7, 2008, 11:40am (report abuse)It is about time we quit letting foreign countries eat our horses. What a disgrace!
Dyana
January 7, 2008, 11:45am (report abuse)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
January 7, 2008, 12:40pm (report abuse)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.
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From the Blog
Here’s a New Bill About Horses
Horses are one of the site’s most passionate subjects, as illustrated by this discussion. Here’s a new bill: H.R. 503, which would prohibit “certain conduct” relating to the use of horses for human consumption. The text of the b...