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S. 311, A bill to amend the Horse Protection Act to prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption, and for other purposes (2,138 comments ↓)
S. 311 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
Jodi
I think this is something that needs to be seen from all views. We still need the slaughter houses for horses, however we don't need them slaughtered for human consumption. That isn't right. Stick to making dog food with them.
Gary
MUST READ,Anyone contemplating this bill must read the report at www.animal welfare council.org entitled The Unintended Consequences of a Ban on theHumane Slaughter of Horses in the United States
Eric Wilson
We already have an over population of horses. This would keep all the dangerous horses in local sales being sold to unexpecting, unknowledgeable people for there kids and grandkids. There are horses in this world that need to be destroyed and closing the kill market will just put them in sales they do not belong in. I am a multiple horse owner with two that are retired but have also seen horses that cannot be made safe and I believe our sons and daughters are more important than a horse.
Rebecca
Please shut down the slaughter houses and save our horses. It is not being done in any way humane. How can it be ok to kill the young or healthy horse so people can eat them overseas? These aren't just old horses.We should judge ourselves by how we treat the helpless. They are spirited animals that have been our pets and heros, how can anyone throw them to slaughter when they are no longer useful? PLEASE SHUT DOWN THE KILLING SLAUGHTER HOUSES!!!
Brian
Pets and heros? Rebecca, you say that as if they willfully volunteered their services! They were taken from the wild by man, and forced into subserviance for the sake of transportation! Now, with the advent of cars, trucks, trains, motorcycles, etc., what better use can mankind have for horses than to use them for food to feed our ever increasing population as we do with cattle, pigs, chickens, and so on. Besides, what animal rights nut would consider ANY method of slaughter for human consumption "humane"?
Francia
Can't believe some of these outrageous comments above....hey if an animal is no longer viable and must be sold or Gotten Rid of after you have No use for the old "pet". I would think you would show some dencency for the animal!
I have seen How Terrible and Just the WORSE DEAD any thing should have to go thru!!! SHAME on any one that would think this type of Slaghter is a NEEDE Business!!!
Dog Foods Don't even use Horse meat any more. People who eat HORSE , Who are they Michael Vick's Dinner quests! This is a GOOD BILL and should BE PASSED!!
DeAne
Please, pass the protection of wild horses, and end the use of horses for human consumption, STOP them being transported to Mexico and Canada also! These transports and slaughters are SO INHUMANE it would make anyone sick. Sensitive animals that give so much, for big business, is not right. We are to be guardians of animals. These animals are not raised for food, as others. (which could also be slaughtered more humanely)
But the cries and shreeks of these sensitive animals that give us so much, please stop the slaughter, and the transport, for meat. PLEASE get the bills passed to protect them!!!
Dee Urban
PLEASE BRING UP AND PASS ALL HORSE PROTECTION ACTS, S311 and whatever other bill can protect these animals from transport (SO inhumane and consumption for food)
They give so much, and are not raised to be food. These are intelligent, sensitive creatures.
PLEASE PREVENT THEIR TRANSPORT AND SLAUGHTER< AND ALSO BEING TRANSPORTED TO MEXICO AND CANADA FOR SLAUGHTER, Torturas trips that thousands are enduring. PLEASE!!!
Jesse Urban
Please pass bill S311 to protect the horses from inhumane transport and slaughter for meat.
Joyce Jacobson
Just a few abbreviated comments meant to educate previous posters, since space is limited here and I cannot be as detailed in my responses as I might be otherwise:
1)Horse meat has not been used in dog food for several years.
2)The “Unintended….” study was done by 8 Profs from Texas A&M and Dr. Stull from the pro-slaughter AVMA. That school was given $2 per horse butchered in the US. Any questions why they do not want the ban?
3)Is euthanasia an unheard of concept? Euthanasia, N. “a good death. Slaughter, V. “To kill in a violent or brutal manner”. No further discussion needed.
4)Slaughter fills only 1 need—foreign companies satisfying the wants of Europe and Japan—not a need, a want.
5)We have an overpopulation of many things—do we slaughter dogs and cats? No—responsible owners euthanize them.
Pro-S arguments are old and proven false. Please, educate yourselves before you embrace them.
Gary
Joyce,1.The correct number of authors of the "Unintended" study is 9 of which only four were from Texas A&M.The others were from Calpoly,Utah State,University of Louisville and University of California Davis.
2.My webster gives the definition of slaughter as:the butchering of livestock for market,or to kill animals for food.
3.Load the cats and dogs up and send them to Korea where they do eat them.
Julie
Horses are an agricultural commodity. If you don't want to have your hose slaughtered, don't. But don't shut down the slaughter houses when there is an active market for horse meat and by-products!
Americans are so arrogant! We bury perfectly good animal protein while people in Africa starve. Shame!
Larry
I raise Horses and I am on the Human Board in my county. We need the horse slaughter house. I am in the real world where are you? (for Example) A horse is starving, owner can't afford to feed it, can't be shot and left it lay, there is about a $1,000 fine for that. It costs over $500 to have the horse buryed and it can't be buryed on your property with out leagle papers drawn up. The rendering works don't want the dead horse. If the owner can't afford to feed them and there is no market? Take the owner to court? Owner says yes, we are guilty you can have the horse and the county says we don't want that expense and I am told don't bring these type of cases to court any more, we will not except them. You do gooder's that make laws and don't live in the real word have caused a lot of inhuman problems for the horse.
Ondine
According to the Dept. of Agriculture's records, the majority of American horses slaughtered are 7-11 years old, healthy, in good weight, and not lame. The idea that these are crazy, crippled, or starving horses is ridiculous.
The meat is not used to feed the starving people of the world either. The retail price is too high for that. Only those who want to make money off of their horse's death endorse horse slaughter. The foreign owned horse slaughter industry has created an artificial demand for our horses. In many past years, they had to import horses from Canada to meet their kill quotas. That shows a shortage of horses, not an overage.
It's all about money. They pay no federal income tax, either. All of their product and most of their profits are for their benefit only and a drain on the U.S. economy. They're laughing all the way to the bank.
Please educate yourself on this issue before commenting, to prevent further embarrassment.
Ondine
Larry, the key elements to your mythical "real world" story are that the rendering company does not want the dead horse. That's a new one since dead horses, cows, etc. are exactly what rendering companies want. Many companies will pick up the carcass at no charge and some will charge about $40--a modest fee for any budget.
The second humorous element is the idea that a slaughter house would take a starving horse. Think about it. They are butchers and pay by the pound. There is no profit in a thin horse. Now that's the real world, not a 'what if' scenario that makes no sense.
Starvation of horses bears no relation to horse slaughter. An owner who starves a horse could have taken it to auction when it was healthy and sold it to be exported to slaughter in Mexico or Canada. That option still exists and yet mentally unsound people don't take it. That just proves the point that horse slaughter does not prevent horse abuse or neglect--it never has and it never will.
L Matte
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.
Martin
find the truths at www.kaufmanzoning.net
www.vetsforequinewelfare.org
slaughter promotes abuse, neglect, theft, deceict, illegal activity, and cruelty.
USDA states 90% of horses slaughtered are in good to excellent condition,
other studies show that 80% are under age 10, 74% are sound of limb, & 96% had no behavior issues.
Support the bills!
Shannon J
This is ridiculous and absurd that we allow this horrid practice to continue. What is even worse is that most turn their heads and feign indifference or ignorance. Stop the insanity. STOP THIS NOW!!! DON'T LET ANOTHER AMERICAN HORSE DIE FOR FOREIGN GREED!!!
SHANNON J
PLEASE BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER AND TRANSPORTATION FOR SUCH IN 2008!!!
The time to act is now!
BUC
A big NO vote on this bill from me. Keep our boarders open for the horse trade and re open Americas horse slaughter houses.
Renee
Slaughter needs to be brought to a full halt and never start again. It is Horrific,Barbaric and just plain mean and abusive to the innocent horses. Other countries can kill their own. Don't KILL AMERICAN born and breed horses!
Rescues and sanctuaries will help the horses, breeding needs to be slowed down. IT CAN WORK!
SAHME ON YOU FOR WANTING SLAUGHTER. YOU CALL YOURSELF AN AMERICAN?
kathyb
Anyone who has seen the videos of how horses are slaughtered should see how horrible this is. Please pass S.311!!
Verna
Slaughter is not about the disposal of unwanted, neglected horses. It is about money, big business. If people didn't want to eat horsemeat, there would be no need for slaughter.Check your facts. All slaughter facilities are foreign owned.Even the ones that were here in the U.S. but gave no financial support to the U.S. in fact we paid to help keep them running.If you want to see horses as a commodity and not a pet. In the long run, slaughter will be better for the horse because better horses will be bred. Right now over breeding is the biggest harm to our horses besides the transport and slaughter they have to endure.If think it is humane, just watch a video of horses being slaughtered in Mexico or anywhere and tell me that is humane.Check the sites previously mentioned and PASS S311/HR503 NOW!
Bianca
Horses are not food animals in American culture and have carried us in battle, plowed our fields & pulled our wagons. 70% of Americans surveyed want horse slaughter to end.
The claim that ending horse slaughter will cause an outbreak of abuse and neglect is a myth. The slaughter industry encourages over breeding and poor horse stewardship. When the Cavel slaughterhouse in Illinois burned down years ago, cases of neglect went DOWN. When a bill banning horse slaughter was passed in California, horse theft went down 34%.
According to the American Horse Council, over 1.4 million Americans work directly or indirectly in legitimate horse industries. By contrast, all three slaughter plants operating in 2006 employed fewer than 200 people in low paying jobs.
Since slaughter takes horses that are typically in their prime, including foals, yearlings and pregnant mares, it does not help the economy. A useful horse slaughtered is one less horse creating jobs and wealth in our economy.
Laura
some people have the idea that horses are being "humanely" slaughtered and that is NOT correct. check out the facts and you will find that this is not so! horses are not raised for food slaughter in this country as cows are. . i have never sat down to a steak dinner and wondered what the cow's name used to be because i know the cow was raised for slaughter. horses are given names and taught to trust us. if there are so many horses in this country that we cannot afford to take care of them, then why don't we start by teaching people to breed responsibly? isn't that the real problem? why must the answer to our "problems" never have a solution to the existing problem? we need to stop slaughtering our horses and we need to stop allowing them to be transported to slaughter. it is time we all took a look at what we have done, take some responsibility and find a solution that works!
Margie
Slaughtering horses is just about enterprise (money). Nothing else. And to have this go on for so many years, in such a brutal manner, well, every citizen of this country should be ashamed at what we have done and are continuing to do. And stop saying it's because of too many, too old, too weak. It's like you want to blame the horse! Blame the human!
Mike
BUC - borders, not boarders.
Renee
Just think, they are healthy, pregnant,foals ,colts. They all deserve a chance at life just like we have, they have the same right to be loved and cared for. If they are old,put them in a rescue to live out their last days how ever long. If sick euthanize them so they have dignity in their death and pass with peace and knowing they were loved.
Mike
Larry - Humane, not human
inhuman, not inhuman.
And how come YOU didn't monitor what was going on in those slaughterhouses????????
Marlene
S311 will pass the Senate this year. 70 % of the American population want horse slaughter banned and this bill will do just that. I had a yearling Appaloosa "Stolen" from me by deception and resold to a kill buyer. I found him, but he was already dead. He went down in a truck headed for Pennsylvania. I believed lies and Dusty DIED! So, for our friends out their that are concerned about the property rights questions , what happened to my rights to protect my property from death and serious injury. My RIGHTS that are supposedly protected under the law were violated! Now, PASS THE BILL...P L E A S E !!!!!!
Rhonda
Please pass this bill and do not allow horses to be slaughtered for food in this country or to be shipped to other countries for this purpose. Horses and other animals have the same capacity to suffer as we do and having an ice pick stuck in your spine until you collapse ( as they do to horses in Mexico) is horrific. Let's send a message that cruelty will not be tolerated--toward humans or other animals.
John
Horse slaughter is "legalized" animal cruelty! We need more responsible breeding. Let's stop the brutal murder of all horses!
laura
PLEASE educate yourself about this issue. Horse slaughter is not a managed agricultural resource.
It is abuse and neglect for profit.
Transport conditions are absurd.
The meat itself has not been cultivated as a food source and very likely is toxic due to products used throughout the life span of our domestic animals. In Europe they raise horses for food. In the US we do not. Therefore American horses are not even a safe source of food. American horses should be responsibly bred for the American market and then euthanized when no longer wanted, like dogs and cats in this country.
Shelly
Instead of spending billions fighting the bill to kill horses, they need to spend that money to go after the ones not taking reponsible care of them!!! People kill horses to prevent HAVING to take care of them! It's time to go after those people who don't care about them, and save our horses from this horrible, horrible end!!!!!!! We don't kill the victims and allow the perpetrators to continue with their daily lives!!! This bill should of been passed a long time ago! Too bad some think money and ribbons, trophies and notoriety is more valuable than life!!!
Gary
If this bill passes,the only thing it will do is drop the value of all horses in the U.S..And send all the slaughter horses to Canada and Mexico where there are few if any regulations on how these animals are treated.
Delia Shamoon
Please give our horses their right to live. We have to stop that gruesome practice forever. We have to stop foreigners from eating our horses. Also their transport to Mexico and Canada.
Bonnie
Horse slaughter has always been about making a dollar, at the expense of the horse. Ending this dishonorable and horrific practice will force the lowest common denominator in the horse world, and all the back yard breeders, to think again.
GARY - I am very sick and tired of explaining S. 311 to the pro-slaughter contingent! AMERICAN HORSES WILL GO NOWHERE TO BE SLAUGHTERED, WHEN ANTI-SLAUGHTER LEGISLATION COMES TO THE FLOOR OF THE U.S. SENATE FOR A VOTE AND IS PASSED BY A LAND SLIDE - and this will happen.
barbw
Pass this bill Stop the slaughter and transportation Of Horses to Mexico and Canada for Human consumption overseas. Its inhuman.
Olivia
BUC, I seem to remember seeing your name somewhere else! How ARE you, my friend? I noticed, BUC, that you corrected your typo from "boarders" (that's the horses that would still be alive boarding in a stall if it weren't for a few GREEDY people) to "borders" (the geographical lines that need to be CLOSED to our horses being exported for slaughter).
What astounds me is that people who advocate FOR slaughter cite reasons that show ignorance of economics, lack of ethical intelligence (a.k.a. compassion for the slaughtered horses and horror at the terror they endure to satisfy some people's sick craving for money), and lack of common horse sense (the S. 311 supporters who commented ahead of me have already explained why it makes no sense to think that butchering our gentle, generous equine friends is the solution to any perceived problem. GREED and LAZINESS are the causes of their slaughter -- and those are human problems, not horse problems!
Jamie
Pass S311 and HR503 this session. It's long overdue and what the majority of the American people want.
Marlene
Our American horses deserve protection from slaughter. They help build this country and are part of our history. We must protect them by passing the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.
Sharon Crumb
Slaughtering American horses is not the answer. The answer is to stop overbreeding and make people be responsible for their horses when they no longer can keep them, not reward them by allowing them to send them to their brutal death and get paid for doing so. For years, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act has been blocked by Congress from members who have connections to the Cattlemen, AVMA and AQHA. It is time to let these horses (92.3% young, sound and healthy) live their lives out peacefully. It is time for America to step up and help them, not destroy them.
Tarra
Why do we have to kill them because irresponsible people cannot make the right choice on whether to breed horses or save them, I belong to a site that rescues horses that have days sometimes a weeks to live... and they know it... help horses in need go to rescuesonly.proboards59.com/index.cgi
Rich Russom
Pass S311 & HR503 ALREADY!!! Over 90% of us, you know, the people who elect you, and pay your salaries, are for it!!!
Suzanne
Have you seen how these horses are slaughtered? There is not need for horses to be treated this way. Have you ever looked into a horse's eyes and seen the love and trust they have for you? The majority of people haven't so they don't have a clue what these magnificient animals mean to the people that are lucky enough to own one.
If you are curious as to how they slaughter these animals - do a Google search, I'm sure you will find something there to show just how cruel this is.
Please pray that this bill passes!
Lori
I would like to ask the people that are not supporting the ban on horse slaughter if you would send your dog or cat to the horrific death of slaughter? That is essentially what you are doing. These horses are domesticated horses and are often family pets that happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I adopted the most beautiful palomino (like Roy Roger's Trigger) that had been pulled from the slaughter pen. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Cowboy. He is well-trained, young and the most loving and sweet horse I have ever had. If it had not been for Another Chance For Horses, he would have been on someone's dinner plate.
Christine
Jodi- how sadly misinformed you are! Horse meat hasn't been used in dog food for YEARS. It's far too expensive! Some scrap materials can be bought for zoos, but the entire horse slaughter industry is about HUMAN CONSUMPTION. $18 a pound in France= big money for the export industry. And we line their pockets with our pets and retired performance horses.
Davlyn
After reading the comments.. I strongly agree with Sharon Crumb. She said it all. All the others have said what needs to be said. I can't say it any better..The slaughter practice is horrific. Would you all like to see your beloved pet killed in this manner. Or a humane.
Get your heads out of your butt and pockets and do the right thing.
Patience O'Dowd
Folks, The Humane Slaughter Act passed back in the fifties is NOT enforced and NOT monitored. Please see the GAO Report to Congress 2004. Livestock are conciously slaughtered. Pneumatic bolt does not knock them out often, punches them,knocks em down, then hung by back leg, skinned alive, feet cut off. Senator Byrd/others trying to get this act funded. Wild animals and pets should not have to go through 28 hrs of transport in mechanized horror to another mechanized horror. Shooting, euthanazia, OK. Vets might offer free euthanasia clinics if they are truly concerned. BTW, this includes Kosher slaughter. Cats/dogs truly over populated, most all cities euthanize 20K/yr. PZP immuno contraception is $33/horse for wild animals. Lets GET IT DONE (though wild horses are NOT overpopulated, rather almost gone with the Bush administration.)
kckellsbells
Please pass this bill. These are our friends...NOT livestock. Americans do not serve horsemeat.
Valerie
It is absurd that this hasn't been passed already. Anyone who has watched it move forward only to not pass should realize that "special interest" groups are making a mockery of the democratic process. Horses don't belong on anyone's dinner plate. Not Ferdinand, not Barbaro, not Smarty Jones, not Flicka...not any of them.
Colleen
1) Slaughtering horses in the United States is un-American, culturally offensive. 2) If there are "dangerous" horses, the breeders, or those who caused them to become dangerous, should humanely euthanize that animal. It is a huge liability to knowingly sell any animal that is not stable or safe to handle.
Tracy Cann
Yea, Joyce Jacobson!! All uneducated people read her comment. It addresses your uninformed or misinformed comments. Geeze people, look into the facts before you say something. I agree with Joyce because I've done my research.
Colleen
3) We need to stop being force fed the "unwanted horse" argument, there are those that do not know any better who are believing the pro-slaughter faction and thinking it's a "necessary evil", when clearly it's not. 4) Overbreeding by irresponsible people needs to be curtailed. 5) The racing industry needs to not be physically pushing juveniles to their limits and crippling 2-3 year old horses, let them grow up and race a well developed and stronger horse.
RO
Please END HORSE SLAUGHTER! It is un-American to slaughter the animals who helped us build a Nation.
Jenny
Please pass the bills now. Horses are not livestock...they are honorable, trusting and loving companion animals.
Michelle
There are MANY REASONS we should BAN horse slaughter! And every one of these reasons are based on SOLID FACTS that prove horse slaughter is incredibly cruel, inhumane and sickening. FOREIGN BUSINESS making BIG BUCKS off our young, healthy, sound, pregnant horses have been able to keep this a "dirty little secret" from most of America for years. BUT NO MORE...THE SECRET IS OUT AND WE WILL FIGHT TO SAVE OUR HORSES. We domesticated them and taught them to trust us - and then we commit the worst act of betrayal?! We own a young, beautiful palomino paint mare pulled from a killpen, and she beautiful, kind and loving. The pro-slaughter forces are "feeding" Americans LIES!!! PLEASE CALL your representatives in Congress and ask them to support Bills HR503 and S311 to BAN horse slaughter! This is what the vast majority of America wants!
Colleen
6) People should not be afraid of humane euthanasia performed by a veterinarian. Stop saying "I love Flicka and want to give him to someone who will appreciate her". Folks listen up, when Flicka is 24 years old, and cannot hold up for your work load, retire him yourself or euthanize him. It's quick, painless and kind. If she's having trouble maintaining a good body condition, and you've exhausted options, then don't you think it's time? Do the right thing folks! Call your vet, call the rendering company or a backhoe operator and let Flicka be laid to rest peacefully, with dignity, surrounding by people who care.
Colleen
7) Find out who your local equine humane organization is and support them. They are the ones facilitating seizures for law enforcement, when true cases of animal cruelty are investigated. 9 times out of 10, the police cannot offer funds to support the care of impounded horses, and the rescue is put into an awkward position, where they can either walk away and let the horses suffer, or they take them in, assume all responsibility for expenses and exhaust their limited resources.
Jane
Horse slaughter and the transport of horses across our borders to slaughter needs to end. It has never been humane....is is the ultimate betrayal of a companion animal. Most americans want horse slaughter to end. I think that our Senators and Representatives are there to do what we ask...what the majority wants....and the majority demands that HR 503 and S-311 be passed. Let the pro slaughter groups like the American Quarter Horse Association cry in their cowboy hats!!! Mabye they will start trying to be responsible horse owners and breeders for once.
Val Davidoff
There is footage out there of the shocking way a horse is slaughtered.. Is that abominable horror not enough for us that we need to keep debating?? That must be the worst thing I've ever seen. For those who still oppose S. 311, please take a moment to see a video of horse slaughter... DO NOT bring your kids!!! We're talking Middle Ages cruelty..
B. Sario
This bill needs to be passed immediately. People who abuse horses will continue to abuse horses no matter whether there is slaughter or not. The slaughter houses exist ONLY to provide cheap meat (to the slaughter houses) that they can in turn pass on with huge profits to their overseas customers. The slaughter houses have never existed to help take care of unwanted horses. The supply of horses going to slaughter is directly proportional to the demand. If people in Europe decided not to eat horsemeat the companies would be gone in a split second.
We don't eat our horses--why should the Europeans eat them?
Cheryl
Horse slaughter is inhumane.For the person who said that horses are an agricultural commodity while people are starving in Africa... horsemeat doesn't feed the poor and the starving. It feeds the rich, and only the slaughterhouse owners make the profit. Stop breeding horses for the hell of it, and be responsible. Then you will not have to complain about your horses starving because you can not afford to feed them. Be responsible for what you let come into this world.
Karen Madison WI
I support this bill. Transport to horse slaugher houses across the borders is inhumane and needs to be outlawed. Horse slaughter is banned in the US, finally. Without the passage of this bill, many healthly ex-pets are subjected to horrible deaths that most unsuspecting owners would cringe if they only new.
It is a shame that AVMA and AQHA have been bought out by lobbies, seeking to pad each others pockets.
Same on us until this bill is passed.
Deb McWilliams
Our representatives must understand the majority of Americans who learn of the horror and cruelty American Icons go through in the slaughter houses in Mexico and Canda are apalled and disgusted. These foreign plants do nothing to support our economy or our way of life. To vote against S311 is to vote against American heritage and the heart of the American public.
Sharon
I have seen a lot of footage showing horses being slaughtered and it is a disgrace. We need to pass this bill and stop the slaughtering of the horses. I have been a horse lover since I was little and I do not like the fact that the horses are being killed for the people overseas. This is inhumane and it needs to stop for good. Horses are a part of history and we need to leave it as that.
Mari
To Brian!!
Our ever increasing population is our problem, not the horses' problem!!
The most invasive species on this planet is mankind. Next you will suggest we also eat our dogs and cats.
Cora Adelizzi - IL
Horse slaughter as well as transport for slaughter must be permanently banned in this country.
There is nothing humane about the way they are transported in double decker trailers or in the way they are hung by one leg and skinned while still conscious. That is NOT humane euthanasia by any means.
Americans do not eat horse meat. What people in other countries do is their business, but American horses are OUR business and they should not be slaughtered in order to wind up as the dinner of some wealthy person overseas.
Kristen
Hooray for Joyce Jacobson's comment!!!!! RIGHT ON THE MARK. And for the person who commented that the "crazy" horses need to be slaughtered to protect our children, have you been to a kill sale lately or even bought a horse from one? Sane, safe and sound horses are there as well. Not too different from buying from a private buyer. Sorry.
Gail
To Our Congress,
HR 503 and S. 311 are supported by both the majority of American citizens as well as the majority of Congress.
These bills deserve the right to legislative due process. American citizens (who I might remind you are the VOTERS who put you in office) deserve the right to legislative due process!
Please allow our respective Congressmen & Congresswomen to cast our vote on this important issue.
Let the will of the People be done! The majority of Americans want our horses protected from slaughter. Lets get the bills to the Floor and get this important legislation passed!
Gail Vacca
Thoroughbred Racehorse Trainer
Wilmington, IL.
Ernie
End horse slaughter now! It is inhumane and un-American!
John Holland
This bill is being blocked by Senator Larry Craig on the basis of completely fabricated stories about horses being abandoned. It is high time it get passed into law.
Ann Marini
Horse slaughter is disgusting and unnecessary. Most of the horses that are sent to slaughter are NOT dangerous; over 90% of the horses are sound. There are too many breeders who are engaging in over-breeding and are not being held responsible or accountable for the horses they breed.
Our American horses do not deserve to be brutally murdered by ruthless and cruel people who only care about one thing: THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR.
We must take back our country. The majority of Americans want horse slaughter to end. The democratic process must be restored. Our representatives and Senators represent us: The American People. We the People want slaughter to end. For the People, By the People and Of the People. The cruelty MUST END. Horses and burros enjoyed protected status for over 30 years. We need to restore this protective status.
Randy
I don't really think that human consumption of horses is really necessary, don't we have enough meat to eat here in America? The stats say that America is overweight as an average anyway.
D
It’s time the 110th congress does the right thing. As an American, we must protect an American Icon. The Slaughter of our Horses has gone on far too long and the TRUTH is out… Our slaughter bound horses are NOT the old and infirmed but young and healthy horses slaughtered for the sole purpose of human consumption overseas.
How can the greatest Nation on this earth continue to turn away? It’s time to do the right thing!
Lori Yeilding
Attention Pro-Slaughter people,
Please get your economic facts straight!!!!
American Horses Slaughter is being driven by a demand in Europe so rich European creeps can dine on fancy horsemeat, it is not a result of abandoned horses. This atrocity of our American Horses must stop NOW!!!!
Barb AZ
Some of the Big Guns here, AVMA, AAEP, and AQHA are responsible for NOT getting this bill passed. We need to STOP the slaughter of our horses. Let's get S 311 to the floor and get it passed!
Carl
It is TIME we stop the transport of horses to Mexico and Canada for the purpose of slaughter. We shut down the 3 slaughter houses, and we didn't do that for no reason. We want slaughtering of horses to stop, and we want the OWNERS of horses to assume responsibility of end of life decisions. Hopefully, they will put them down humanely.
Mattie
Wonder why we have an overpopulation of horses?
They dont put horse meat in dog food anymore. America needs to wake up and stop breeding for a perfect horse. Foreigners are the ones who GAIN in this situation. All Canadian plants send our horse meat to foreign coutries for human eating. Politicians are in denial that this is REALLY going on. 90% of the horse meat from B.C. slaughter plant is shipped to Japan. Look at the revenue this country loses by sending to slaughter. Horses are smart animals, its the humans who need to wise up and use the horses in a more useful way and generate revenue for the horse world. We need proper rendering plants, and disposal of these great creatures. Killing babies 6 months old? What kind of sickos do that? sick people have the attitude 'ITS JUST A HORSE, TO MAKE GLUE." This country has to change its attitude on how we treat our animals. Who is it that is suppose to take care of these animals? Some people just DONT GET IT.
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!
TerryW
Note to Jodi - dog food hasn't used horsemeat as an ingredient in decades.
Humane euthanasia by vet is the alternative to slaughter for human consumption.
Horses are not regulated food animals and routinely receive vet medications that are strictly banned from food animals.
US horsemeat is adulterated and dangerous to human consumers.
Each and every horse would have to be tested before being allowed into the food chain.
The EU has done this through Horse Passports - which designates whether a horse is eligble for human consumption - as per the horse's owner. Those that are will have restricted vet meds for consumer safety. Those that aren't are not allowed into the food chain.
Susan
Horses, dogs and cats are family pets, athletes, partners, helpers for therapeutic riding bringing hope to the hopeless. Still want to betray them for their pound of flesh Judas???
Ramona Foxworth
I am totally against horse slaughter and every horror that is fed by it. Horses are majestic animals !They are our pets and our precious companions.Hauling horses across the country to Mexico or Canada be,tortured,abused, and murdered is a sin .This atrocity against equine angels should not be happening .It needs to stop now and forever.I want this bill to pass with flying colors! ! This barbaric and inhumane practice is on it's last dying leg. Thank God !
TW
www.fda.gov/cvm/Documents/bse2.pdf12-02-2005
Profile of Horse Producers
In 1995, 106,200 head of equine were slaughtered at federally inspected plants (USDA, 1996). The 1995 figures represent a decrease of more than 50 percent from a total slaughter of approximately 244,000 equine in 1992 (Bauer, 1993).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please note this decrease did not result in 137,800 horses:
Being left to starve or abandoned
In need of euthanasia and disposal
In fact - no one even noticed.
The slaughterhouses set the amount of so-called "unwanted" horses. The number they buy equals the capacity they can slaughter. Raise the capacity another 30,000 and the amount of so-called "unwanted" horses would rise accordingly.
Prior to 1993 over 300,000 horses were slaughtered annually in this country, we had HALF the horse population we do now and about 14 horse slaughterhouses. Then slaughterhouses started closing - so the number of "unwanted" horses declined.
Anne
This billhas been debated for FIVE years and every time it has the support of the majority of Americans and equine groups. In fact,the American Quarter Horse Asoc. is one of the only pro slaughter horse groups, and that is because more Quarter Horses go to slaughter than any other breed. This bill should have passed three years ago, but because every pig, cow, and chicken lobbyist in America is opposing the bill, it languishes in the Senate.
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 S.311 needs to be passed.
Gail H.
Our Congressmen need to wake up and pay attention to the people that own horses, not the people that are making the money off of slaughtering them. After being medicated all their lives with medicines that are not for "human consumption" they are slaughtered and send to Europe for human consumption. Horse owners need to stop breeding just because they "like having the babies around". Dangerous horses need to be EUTHANIZED So they can not hurt "anyone". Not taken to auction where they might end up in the wrong hands. I belong to a horse rescue and constantly see the horses that are bound for Canada. These are not the old, thin frail horses that are ready to die...these are the young, fat healty horses that people take to auctions because they don't want them any longer for the almight "buck" instead of trying to find them a good home, even if its for free. God forbid they give the horse away for nothing. These bills need to be passed
Diana
It is time to pass S311 and end the inhumane transport and slaughter of American horses. Horses are not bred as a food item in this country. The fact that a few special interest groups have held up this legislation for so long is reprehensible. If the AQHA and all of the backyard breeders would STOP BREEDING SO MANY HORSES, the overpopulation problem would decrease significantly. The various breed organizations will act pretty quickly to address the issue of the "unwanted" horses in their registries if slaughter is not an option. And if people can't just throw horses away (and make money on it, no less) they will be more likely to think before breeding their horses.
Melissa in AZ
American horses are slaughtered in a brutally painful process for the pleasure of diners in Europe and Asia. Slaughter is not an acceptable replacement for humane euthansia. It is an "easy out" for irresponsible owners and industries. Over 80% of the American public want this barbaric practice to END NOW.
Sally
Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup winners and other horses who have earned thousands and even millions for their owners have gone to slaughter. But no horse deserves this horrific ending. Part of the responsibility of owning a horse is providing for a humane end for that horse when its time comes. Contrary to those who say slaughter is a necessary evil--for the horses being shipped for hours in cramped quarters without food and water and facing the horrific terror of seeing and smelling the death of fellow herd animals--it is anything but necessary and humane. Please pass these bill and end horse slaughter for our horses.
CJ BALM
THIS BILL SHOULD INCLUDE LANGUAGE THAT PROHIBITS ALL HORSE SLAUGHTER
NOT ONLY PROHIBITING FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION BUT ALL HORSE SLAUGHTER RELATED INDUSRIES SHOULD BE BANNED
Martha Olver
Keep horses safe
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
Barbara
Horses are not farm raised for human consumption. They are not on the American diet. They are companion animals. This legislation needs to be passed and enforced. We also need legislation to stop the indiscriminate breeding of horses.
NM horse owner
Banning horse slaughter is BAD for the entire horse industry. Banning horse meat completely will also be bad for all the Zoos who will either have to feed beef or they will have to import the horse meat from out of the country.
Additionally this bill as worded is BAD for all horse owners in general. The transportation part of this bill includes giving the USDA the ability to seize WITHOUT warrant an individuals horse that might be suspected to be sore while in route to or from a horse show.
And for those of you commenting that we don't eat horse meat in this country, that is not accurate. People have eaten horse meat as recently as the 1970's. Horse meat was used as the main ingredient in dog food as recently as the 1980's.
We need to allow the slaughter houses to continue in this country instead of shipping the horses to Mexico for a worse death.
Stop the slaughter
Before commenting on keeping horse slaughter. watch this. Here the truth.. Torture!
http://video.hsus.org/?fr_story=af238f6e5ce156726675a947debdeab0ad67005...
Walt C.
It is high time that our country quits caveing in to foreign interests. If the French eat horses let them eat their own, not ours. The horse in America has helped make this country what it is today. George Washington, Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Tonto, The Lone Ranger and Roy Rogers DID NOT EAT THEIR HORSES. Why are we letting foreigners eat them. NO to Horse Slaughter.....NOW
Stop the Slaughter
One thing to remeber. we create bad horse.... There are no BAD horses., only bad trainers and riders. Sometimes we train them wrong and thats how they end up in slaughter. People who dont train should not be trainer and bad trainers should get a damn new job.
Shirley Emerson
Horses should not be sold for human consumption as in a food product. Horses should be treated humanely. They have provided man with valuable purposes for many years and deserve better treatment.
susan
Those who oppose horse slaughter have specious arguments ... Starvation and abuse is independent of the slaughterhouses and not an either or situation ... Owners and breeders with limited knowledge of training and quality breeding should not have an out for their irresponsible and prolific mistakes ... Nor should the AQHA--with its massive encouragement to breed and register either ... Those who can't afford to feed and trainup a horse at least to a basic level, and to prepare for illness, lameness and euthansia, should not own horses ... Those that breed carelessly then cry that stopping slaughter caused the bottoming out of THEIR horse market should reconsider their product... If they were breeding horses that were so close to kill prices, there is a message there ... Poor product... No tru horse lover would consider slaughter an answer on ANY level ...
Theresa
Anyone even thinking of voting against this bill needs to visit a slaughterhouse and watch these noble animals be put to death in the horrible way they are. If you cannot be more humane to the horse or horses you own, then don't purchase or breed them in the first place. There is not one valid reason in the world to NOT have your horse humanely euthanized by a vet. I lost my home and had to put my 42 yr old mare down because she was blind and deaf. I used my last penny to have the vet out to give my old mare who gave countless children rides throughout her long life a humane end to a long life of service. So don't hand me that.. people can't afford to euthanize their horses. As far as transporting horses, again horses are packed on trucks like sardines and shipped in dangerous numbers, frightened. The NM horse owner should know that horses are killed inhumanely whether they are slaughtered here or out of the country. It's all the same horrible death.
DarrellC
This should have been passed well over a year ago if it weren't for "dirty" politics. 65 to 80 of Americans polled are against the commercial equine slaughter. Get with it Congress...you're supposed to represent the people NOT money and special interests!
Cheree
Theresa. i put the link upearlier here it is again.. The people that are for horse slaughter need to watch this. With your eyes open not closed..
http://video.hsus.org/ ?fr_story= af238f6e5ce156726675a947debdeab0ad670054&rf=sitemap
KATHLEEN HOFFERTY
Equine Slaughter is an abomination and discraceful immoral,unethical travesty that should not be allowed anywhere in the world.Horses are companions and pets.Pope Benedict is against equine slaughter and animal abuse.We should stop this horrific butchering of our american/foreign equines now.We have saved 4518 horses lives.Ipswich Equine Rescue.Say NO To PREMARIN & HORSE SLAUGHTER.Until all horses are safe.The horses thank you.Kathleen
karen
Slaughtering horses for any reason should not occur in the United States. Nor should we transport horses to be slaughtered in other countries. There are completely fabricated stories that are not based on factual, historical or statistical evidence but rather on conveniently manipulated and distorted information to support a presumed “need for slaughter”.
Mary
Sorry Jodi, the Pet Food industry stopped using horse meat in the 70's....didn't want "pets" fed to pets. As for the Animal welfare site, it is made up by supporters of slaughter, and not factual. Do your homework folks, this is about greed in America. The AQHA makes it's money off registrations, and promotes breeding anything that can breed. Quality, not quantity keeps prices up, and #'s down. Stop slaughter, and the theft and dishonesty that goes along with it!
Stop the slaughter
There is another bill to vote on for horse slaughter. please find it and vote or follwing this link.
http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_503.html
kathleen
STOP THE CRUEL,SENSELESS MURDERING OF OUR INNOCENT EQUINE FRIENDS.''BUC UP''YOU DISGUST ME.KNOWONE HAS THE RIGHT TO TAKE A LIFE EXCEPT FOR''GOD''HORSES ALSO HAVE RIGHTS AND WE NEED TO BE THEIR EQUINE VOICE.PLEASE PASS 311.THE HORSES WILL THANK YOU.BY THE WAY I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANY LOSE HORSES RUNNING DOWN THE STREETS AS CLAIMED BY PRO-SLAUGHTER CONFABULATORS.GIVE AN EQUINE A VIABLE SECOND CHANCE AT A NEW CAREER, DONATE TO AN EQUINE RESCUE ORG.''JUST SAY NO TO SLAUGHTER''
EDWARD
KILLING HORSES IS JUST PLAIN WRONG.AMERICANS ARE AGAINST HORSE SLAUGHTER.HORSES ARE PETS, NOT A COMMODITY FOR PROFIT BY THE HORSEKILLERS.KNOWBODY WANTS TO EAT THEIR PETS, WOULD YOU EAT YOUR DOG,YOUR CAT? I SURE WOULD NOT .LET HORSES LIVE AS INTENDED TO BE FREE REGAL,MAJESTIC,BEAUTIFUL BLESSED CREATURES CREATED BY GOD.SAY NO TO KILLING OUR EQUINE PETS.PASS 311 NOW.
IPSWICH EQUINE RESCUE
WE THE RESCUED HORSES FROM IPSWICH EQUINE RESCUE ARE HAPPY TO BE ALIVE AND THANKFUL WE WERE GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE. WE KNOW WE HAVE A SAFE HAVEN AND SECURE HAPPY FOREVER HOME.WE DO NOT WANT OUR EQUINE FRIENDS GOING TO THAT DARK DIRTY UGLY DEMISE AT THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE. WE DESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE.WE ARE GRATEFUL AND HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT 311 WILL PASS AND FREE OUR SLAUGHTERBOUND EQUINE FRIENDS.WE AS THE RESCUED EQUINES KNOW THAT THEIR ARE MANY WONDERFUL EQUINE RESCUE FARMS THAT WILL PROTECT US AND CARE FOR US UNTIL WE COME TO THE RAINBOW BRIDGE.
Nancy G.
I currently have eight horses. Six of those eight are rescues. They can't be ridden, they can't work and they can't show, but they can love. They can teach, they can comfort and they can heal. One of my rescues is a 27 year old Registered Quarter Horse. She is registered with the AQHA. This association TOLD the previous owner that it was perfectly fine to breed her, at that age, in poor health and no matter that she had mis-carried three years earlier, when she was breed at 24 years old. The AQHA is telling false hoods, half truths and flat out lies. Thats why I'm no longer a member. The AQHA cares only about money made from horse registrations and the sale of the SURPLUS horses to the slaughter industry which they whole heartidly support. No TRUE horse lover would put their horse into that situation. These bills need to pass, stop giving the AQHA, the APHA and the back yard breeders an easy out that they can still make money on. End the slaughter pass the bills.
KEEVA
IF IT WERE NOT FOR EQUINE RESCUE GROUPS I WOULD NOT BE ALIVE TODAY AT 7 AND A HALF MONTHS OLD.MY MOM WAS IN A TEXAS KILLPEN AND BOUGHT BY AN EQUINE RESCUE WHICH DELIVERED ME SAFE AND SOUND.I AM FREE AND THANKFUL TO BE ALIVE .WITHOUT EQUINE RESCUERS I WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE CHANCE TO TAKE MY FIRST BREATH.THANK YOU FOR SAVING MY MOM AND ME FROM THE UGLY HORSEBUTCHERSHOPS AND MEAN NASTY KILLERS.'KEEVA'' SAYS '''NO MORE KILLING OF MY EQUINE FRIENDS'WAHOOOOOOOOOO FROM KEEVA.I AM A HOLSTEINER/THOROUGHBRED SPORTHORSE.WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FROM ME,KEEVA.
GOTTA DANCE
JUST SAY NO TO THE KILLING OF ALL OF OUR EQUINE FRIENDS.PASS 311 AND PROTECT ALL OF US EQUINES GLOBALLY FROM HARM.PLEASE MAKE ALL OF US EQUINES SAFE FROM THE BUTCHERSHOPS AND MURDERERS.??????PASS 311 NOW.
BALDFACE
HEY '"BUC" DID YOU FLUNK ENGLISH???IT IS BORDERS NOT BOARDERS.LOL.WHAT KIND OF WILD RANTING AND DRUNKEN RAVING ARE YOU DOING NOW.???''END ALL THE EVILNESS OF KILLING OUR EQUINE COMPANIONS"ANYONE THAT BELIEVES IN SLAUGHTERING OUR AMERICAN EQUINES IS A COLDHEARTED COMMODITY FOR PROFIT KILLER AND SOMEDAY WILL PAY FOR ALL OF THE SENSELESS BUTCHERING THEY HAVE CAUSED UNJUSTLY TO THE MAJESTIC REGAL EQUINE.PASS 311 NOW. BUC FIND A NEW CAREER.
HORSE
I AM A HORSE. I DO NOT DESERVE TO DIE A HORRIFIC HORRIBLE DEATH IN A FOREIGN SLAUGHTERHOUSE TO BE FED TO EUROPEANS AND ASIANS FOR DINNER. I AM A HORSE. I HAVE PAID MY DUES. I LET YOU RIDE ME AND WIN MANY BATTLES UPON MY BACK. I AM A HORSE. I TRUSTED YOU, I GAVE YOU MY UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.I AM A HORSE.I NEVER ASK FOR MUCH,JUST A WARM BED SOME HAY,GRAIN AND A PLACE TO RUN FREE. I AM A HORSE. I DESERVE TO DIE WITH DIGNITY.I HAVE SERVED YOU WELL, PLEASE RESPECT ME AND TREAT ME KINDLY. I AM A HORSE.ALL I WANT IS A SCRATCH ON MY NECK,A HUG AND A PLEASURABLE RIDE.I AM A HORSE.I WANT TO LIVE WELL AND PASS ON WHEN MY TIME IS CALLED UPON ME. I AM A HORSE. ALLOW ME MY DIGNITY,PLEASE DO NOT BUTCHER ME. I AM YOUR FRIEND, COMPANION. I AM A HORSE.KATHLEEN,IPSWICH EQUINE RESCUE.
J Snyder
Slaughtering horses will not end neglect and will not end the plight of "unwanted horses." Ending overbreeding will eliminate unwanted horses.
If a horse is dangerous or sick, have it euthanized. We don't slaughter unwanted dogs and cats, we euthanize them.
The slaughter process is inhumane. A captive bolt pistol, designed for bovine, is used to shoot a metal bolt into the horse's skull. Many times, the bolt misses the mark because the horse doesn't hold its head still and the horse has to be shot several times before it is rendered unconcious. The slaughter process in Mexico, where many US horses are now shipped, is even more inhumane. Oftentimes, a knife is used to sever the spinal cord prior to using the captive bolt.
UNKNOWN
I AM THE UNKNOWN HORSE THAT WANTS TO LIVE SOMEDAY, TO RUN FREE IN GREEN FIELDS,FROLIC IN THE SNOW,GALLOP THROUGH THE MEADOWS FILLED WITH BLACKEYED SUZIES AND BUTTERCUPS.I AM UNKNOWN. I WANT THE CHANCE TO LIVE, I DESERVE THAT CHANCE AS DO MY MANY THOUSANDS OF FRIENDS LIKE ME.PLEASE DO NOT SEND ME TO SLAUGHTER. I DO NOT WANT TO GO.PLEASE PASS 311 TO PROTECT ME AND OTHER UNKNOWN HORSES JUST LIKE ME. I AM UNKNOWN.
Lynn I Am
How many of you experts have ever BEEN inside of a slaughter house and saw the horror that goes on? The horses hear the screams, they smell blood, they become hard to handle because they KNOW that death is coming. Their instinct is to flee, though many of them have trusted humans all of their lives. If you think their death is quick and painless, you are WRONG. Horses end up with a bolt through an eye or a cheek, or with their throats slit and hung up to bleed out, if you think that's quick and painless you should have to witness it! It's one of the most awful things you'll ever see smell and hear. If you have ANY compassion at all you could not agree that this is okay. If educated at all you would know that horse slaughter is NOT necessary, horse meat does NOT go to poor people it goes to markets where it's high-priced. Do you even know how much a horse sells for per pound at auction? It's all cruel and baseless. We MUST shut these archaic and barbaric houses down!
Jennifer G.
Horses are a symbol of American Freedom, our National Heritage. They are our companion animals. They don't deserve to be cruelly butchered to end up
on the dinner plates in foreign countries. This is
horrific and barbaric. Most of America's horses sent to slaughter are NOT unwanted animals. They are beautiful, majestic and healthy; many stolen from loving owners. Please support HR 503/S 3ll and put an end to this grisly
practice.
Deb G
Slaughtered horses are NOT used in dog food anymore. Their meat is shipped to other countries where the population finds them tasty. This is disgusting. No different than thinking we sould allow excess dogs and cats to be sent to other countries where the people eat them. Many slaughtered horses are young, healthy animals that are the result of irresponsible breeding of them by people. This Bill must pass. The manner in which horses are slaughtered is extremely inhumane.
Sheila
I have heard people use the excuse that we have a God given domain over animals, so we can do as we please without a thought to their pain and suffering. Domain does not translate to the right to be cruel and cause suffering, we have the responsibility to care for all creatures and to treat them the way we would like treated.
Lisa Lehman
Ban the slaughter of any and all horses and demolish all horse slaughter houses!!! Human's inhumanity has gone way too far and the brakes must be put on now!
Cheri
Stop the slaughter NOW!!!
There is no reason to slaughter horses & it's inhumane. Get right with your morals. Stop it" Stop it" Stop it"..
Tera
Pass this bill please.
anja zagreb
please save thic cute animals i show that you are human after all!!!!!
veganbiotch
Which part of Thou Shalt Not Kill don't people understand? Stop the slaughter of horses, but why stop there? Why do we eat pigs and chicken but we don't want to eat horses or dolphin? They are all God's creatures and they all feel pain and fear. So I ask you to stop animal abuse everywhere.
Dawn Mancina
I have 3 wonderful pets - all of which were destined for slaughter and NONE of which deserved such a fate. Horses are not bred and raised to be eaten - the unlikely ones are merely betrayed by greedy humans at some point. I would no more advocate the slaughter of my dogs and cat than I would my horses. They are all the same ... PETS, FREINDS, SENTINENT BEINGS. People who can't see this are just plain ignorant.
Hkaya209
"A Civilization is judged by the way it treats its helpless members" STOP THE ABUSE
Karen Johnson
Horses are not a food species in this country and Americans don't eat them for good reason. Slaughter is a cruel process and financially benefits only a few greedy organizations. Cruelty is not justified by profit to any individual or group.
Deidre Sharp
I operate a non-profit horse rescue/sanctuary - I know first-hand about the horse slaughter indusrty - it is not humane, it is barbaric, it is not necessary, it is cruel - all sentient beings deserve to die with dignity
Grandma Bea
This bill needs to get passed to STOP THE SENSLESS SLAUGHTER of God's beautiful creation of horses. Please have mercy on these animals and all animals that have no voice & are being abused.
Vicki
Please stop all aspects of 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!
Lin
Open your eyes horse loving Americans...you are believing in the BS to keep the horse slaughter business going, because their is big bucks in it. our own USDA is involved. The majority are being bred for slaughter just like cattle. Instead of opening your mouth...search the facts...go to an auction where their standing in kill pens getting sold by the pound. Horses are demesticated companion pets and have been for century's. They should be named a National Tresure not butchered for money. I am a do gooder and when this law gets passed the next thing is laws for responsible ownership and breeding. I will help save horses until they are safe.
Patricia A. Cornell
Many reasons exist for stopping horse slaughter; My first question is: Why should Amercian horses be slaughtered to feed wealthy foreigners? 2nd question: Why would wealthy foreigners want to eat meat very likely full of worm medcine and vaccines and other unkown medicines???
Cari
I feel slaughtering horses for any reason reflects what kind of society we are living in. It is not done humanely. It makes me sick that people want to eat horses anyway. I don't think people should be allowed to overbreed their horses. We need to find a way to help breeders and average horses owners be more responsible, thereby reducing the number of unwanted horses. Keeping slaughter legal to reduce the horse population is like saying abortion is okay, instead of taking preventative measures.
Christine Jubic
EDUCATE YOURSELVES PEOPLE before sounding an opinion. Nothing like UN-EDUCATED opinions to discredit a point of view: THERE is ABSOLUTELY NO NEED for equne slaughter! l
http://www.equineprotectionnetwork.com/ presentations/UnwantedHorseMay2005.pdf
http://www.freewebs.com/mulekist/ horselaughterfacts.htm
Marge
Wherever man has left his footprint
In the long ascent from Barbarism to Civilization we will find the footprint of the horse beside it.
{ John Trotwood Moore }
Rhonda
I agree with the euthenasia because the horses are not going to feed the hungry they are going to feed the well-off.
Why can't the horses who are no longer useful be euthenized and then they won't be horrified by the horrific slaughter
methods. They will then be buried and will become a useful asset for replenishing the earth and people won't have to
spend alot of money on chemicals to fertilize the ground so they can grow some of their own food. God intended for every
thing to be done decently and in order. 1st Coninthians 14:40
Marge
Our adversaries set up phony
"welfare" organizations and use the offices of organizations like the AVMA and the AQHA to project an agenda that has no motivation but greed.
Since their position has no morally acceptable justification, they simply create one.
Playing defense in this game has no upside for us, it is merely damage control. We need to make these organizations pay for their hypocrisy and deceit. We will do the same with the AVMA. When we are done, no veterinarian will want the AVMA decal to deface his or her door.
lisa white
this is a senseless slaughter of animals that have served man for thousands of years. to treat them with such disrespect apaulls me.
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.
Sherry Hansen
The bills to prevent the slaughter of horses is a step towards improving our humanity towards other living species. This animals were never intended for food. We should also think before we breed animals thoughtlessly, as they easily can end up unwanted.
Patricia H
Have any of you seen the footage of our exported horses slaughtered in Mexico? If not, I assure you that you would change your mind being against this bill. There is nothing humane about the slaughter of any animals, be it horses, cows, pigs, anywhere in this world. People like to ignore what goes on behind closed doors.
This bill is important must be passed.
Judy W.
The senseless inhuman slaughter of the American horse for European consumption is applauding. Slaughter is a cruel process and financially benefits only a few. This type of barbarism is not justified by profit to any individual or group. It is not something Americans want associated with our country. We have more than enough international issues to over come. Please put an end to horse slaughter in the United States.
Bud Ferillo
America must become a more civilized country, one that cares for and protects man's best friends in the animal world from the food purveyors of other nations. Pass the ban of slaughter.
Kathy
The shipment and the slaughtering process is one of the most inhumane acts....pregnant mares have delivered healthy beautiful foals on the slaughter room floor - is this fair? THIS BILL MUST BE PASSED AND THE INHUMANE SHIPMENT AND SLAUGHTERING OF OUR NATIONS HORSES MUST BE STOPPED. Give a horse a second chance - support a rescue.
Pam Shreeves
Please pass this bill. The slaughter must be stopped!
Britt
Horse slaughter is no different than slaughtering a cow, a pig, a sheep, or a goat for human consumption. I believe it is a necessity, just put limits on it, and reopen the slaughetr houses in the US so they can be monitored, and it can be done properly
Gloria N.
Sending American horses to slaughter, an inhumane and horrible end to life, is just beneath us as a people, period. We are better than that, or should be! Horses are not raised as a food source, and we betray them and ourselves by allowing slaughter for human consumption, and by allowing profit from this grisly practice. Please act on the will of the majority of Americans, get this bill to the floor, and pass it now.
Peggie
Stop the inhumane slaughter of stolen, healthy, and neglected horss for foreigners that can produce their own. Owning horses is a responsibility that includes proper disposal of deceased horses. Thieves and money hungry livestock marketers have been getting by with this barbaric cruelty for years and their bank accounts are suffering. Support this bill.
Prohorse
I love horses and do not understand how people can think they are food. That said, if the Europeans want horse meat for their tables, let them slaughter their own.
Lisa
To the NM horse owner who commented that people have eaten horse meat as "recently" as the 1970's... do you know what year it is? It's 2008, my friend. Times have changed, whether you choose to see it or not. Time to pass this legislation into law NOW.
Debbie
S 311 needs to pass now.
Horses are not raised as a food source.
Christina
Horse slaughter is a disgrace. It wasn't long ago that horses were the backbone of our beautiful country.
Kimberly
The slaughterhouses have run a spectacular misinformation campaign! There are NOT 100,000 'unwanted' horses sent to slaughter each year. Many of those horses sent were simply bought at auction, taken from private sellers (without sellers knowing the destination) or stolen. There are 100,000 horses sent to slaughter each year to MEET DEMAND FOR HORSEMEAT IN FOREIGN MARKETS- there is ZERO data concerning how many of these horses were truly 'unwanted'.
Suzanne
No to horse slaughter
Dale
Prohibiting the transport, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of any horse to be slaughtered for human consumption is an extremely important bill to pass because the horse slaughter industry is corrupt and breeds more corruption. It exists to satisfy the greed of a relatively few individuals, not for animal welfare or even human welfare.
Ondine
Britt, how is it a 'necessity' to continue slaughtering healthy American horses so their meat can be sold at $18 a pound to upscale foreign diners?
The foreign-owned horse slaughter industry pays no federal income tax and is a burden on our economy, not a benefit. They take all of their product (horse meat) and almost all of their profits back to their home country. They are laughing all the way to the bank. They are laughing at you and other uninformed Americans who defend them.
The only "necessity" of horse slaughter is for the horse owner who wants to make money off the death of their horse and for the slaughter companies who want to keep their profits rolling in to their foreign bank accounts.
Suzanne
Those who write in favor of horse slaughter are some of the most uninformed, uncompassionate, stupid people I have ever had the chance to read comments from. They post and have no idea what they are talking about. It is bad enough that people are telling lies about this horrific practice, but these idiots actually believe them. If you are too stupid or lazy to have any idea of what you are writing about then stay off the blogs.
Kris
After scanning some of the comments, I observed some to make complete sense and others who made comments did so for the sake of arguing.
Those who are for slaughter have not given ANY good reasons for the slaughter of horses. You have to remember this is ALL about big business. The more they make the more they get. What do you get out of it?
Those against slaughter make good arguments. The way these animals are slaughtered is inhumane and for what reason, for business. Not because the animal is sick, unsafe, or old.
There are other ways of handling the over population of horses. Consider limited breeding, preventing pregnancy, holding accountable those who ABUSE animals, causing them to be unsociable. Responsible horse owners don't have the problems that Gary talks about, whom I find quite offensive.
I agree that the slaughter of horses needs to stop. The Bill has my vote.
Kathy Monaghan
I sincerely believe that anyone who is trying to convince me that Horse Slaughter is necessary has an agenda...and that agenda is making money. It's all about money for them ... Conscientious, humane treatment/care for all animals should be every civilized persons responsibility. kat
Janice Douma
Overpopulation of Horses? There are on an average of 40,000 horses stolen a year! Has anybody that is against this bill seen a video from the Mexican slaughter house on a horse being killed for slaughter??? Please get all your facts straight before you decide.
Amalthea
When will people understand? Animals were created for their own purposes. We have no right to take the life that was given them by their creator. This is wrong plain and simple.
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"!!
Shelley Sawhook
Passage of this bill is good for the welfare and humane treatment of horses and it would have the added benefit of protect equine owners as well. Horse theft is a persistent threat all horse owners face. The majority of stolen horses are processed at slaughter plants. With the closing of America's horse slaughter plants, stolen horses are moved across the borders to other countries, where their recovery is unlikely. We need to stop this movement and protect horse owners as well as ensuring that horses are treated humanely and ethically.
BTW For all those misguided and ill informed. Horse meat has not been used in dog food for decades, all horse meat is used for at this time is for human consumption.
L Matte
The pro horse slaughter camp claims the horses slaughtered are unwanted yet Dr. Timothy Cordes, senior staff veterinarian for equine programs with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Is quoted in the latest article on AVMA's site "It's really a matter of supply and demand. These horses are going to go across the border, one way or another," Dr. Cordes.
There you have it straight from the opositions mouth it is a matter of SUPPLY AND DEMAND! MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS IS WHY HORSES ARE SLAUGHTERED!
RAF
Only the people making blood money want slaughter. They repeat the same tired lies over and over, ad nauseum, to make a few measly bucks from torture and horrific deaths. These people would make Jeffry Dahmer proud.
Debbie
I can't believe that some of you think that just "unsafe" or "dangerous" horses go to slaughter? Get a clue!! Healthy, loving horses go to slaughter when horse owners are irresponsible. The cost of euthanasia isn't that much if you love your horse. THese horses are shipped in inhumane manners and they are treated inhumanely once at the kill yard. It is just like taking the family dog or cat to the pound. Its irresponsible. Its time the owners were held accountable, not the animals in this country!! This isn't about too many horses, if so, than stop breeding them. Its about an easy way for some to make huge profits at the expense of our 4 legged companions.
If your horse is unsafe or dangerous, get a good trainer and be responsible, or turn them into a qualified reputable horse rescue. There are so many other options than sending them to slaughter. Greed has to stop here, that is the only motivation I can see for those in favor of slaughter, that or pure ignorance.
Elizabeth Simmons
In this country hundreds of rescue areas exist for these horses and thousands of people like myself help support these rescue areas and care for these horses with financial contributions. If horse slaughter and the transportation of horses for slaughter is ended, thousands of horse lovers will be waiting to protect and care for these magnificent animals. Rather than repeat what so many others have said, I shall ask that all these comments be read carefully. A wealth of information is contained in them. SLAUGHTER IS NOT THE SAME AS EUTHANASIA!
L Matte
Dr. Cordes quotes above that even if the AHSPA is passed the laws will be broken and horses will cross the borders out of America to be slaughtered because of "supply and demand" then out of the other side of his mouth he and other opponents of the bill say the laws and regulations were followed in the US. They are liars! The laws are not followed in the US and he is admitting it with his above statement "horses will cross the border one way or the other" that would be illegal Dr. Cordes...
Shelly Kramer
This bill is URGENT! Please move quickly on this. Thousands of horses are being transported outside of the U.S. for slaughter every week. We must stop this.
Shelly Kramer
Burbank, California
Shannon
I am in 100% agreement with comment from Francia above. To the Jodi person you are a freakin lunatic keep your comments to yourself idiot.
Beth in Illinois
We "must" get this bill past in Congress and passed soon.The horrors that these horses face on their journey to death and the death itself is horrendous.Today we consider the horse as a companion animal just as the dog and cat are.America has sold out to these foreign markets all in the name of the almighty dollar.S311 must be passed so that we can close the borders into Mexico and Canada as their journey to death is far more horrific now with the days on end travels with no rest,food or water.Time is up,enough is enough let's get this law passed and move on.
Otherlyn
To NOT pass this bill would be a national disgrace!
It is already more than disgraceful, that it has taken so long to bring it to a vote.
I am already ashamed of my beloved GOP, to which, until last year, I had been proud to support and endorse. The Republicans have let us down on this one.
I pray to God that they will have a change of heart and mind SOON...for our horses, part of our American heritage, to be protected and treasured.
Shame on any and all who would oppose this bill. America watches.
Stop the Slaughter
Hi Deidra!! LOL
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
http://www.freewebs.com/sherryswebsite/index.htm
MKSK
Please pass this bill to end the passage of horses across our borders to other slaughter houses. What a horrible thing to be happening to these beautiful horses who have helped us for centuries. Horses should be protected and treasured by our country and not sent to slaughter!
Otherlyn
This bill to essentially end the slaughter NEEDS to be passed. Something else that NEEDS to be implemented is the licensing of every horse bought or sold. The cost of the license should carry a voucher equivalent to the cost of euthanasia for that horse. The license, or additional transfer fee, should be applied EVERY time the horse changes hands. This will help to pay for administrative costs etc. Licensing will provide for a proper end to a life of service, for every horse, AND limit or prohibit casual or improper horse ownership. A pamphlet on horse care and husbandry would accompany the license, and the prospective buyer would have to document proper facilities before being allowed to purchase. Of course, even KBs would have to purchase the license for every horse they procure. There are other details and benefits, but not a lot of room to list them here.
Stop the Slaughter
"unsafe" or "dangerous" horses go to slaughter! I find it hard to believe that the newborns that are born there are dangerous. They even kill them! they wont even let rescue centers pick them up. We had one born on the floor last year and the rescue centers found out about it and these a******s(CAVEL) was saying that it was their property. We finnaly got it after fighting tooth and nail for it.
Carrie
If other countries want to eat horse meat. let them raise their own. They don't need to kill ours. It is just greed that leads to this. Many young and sound horses are killed. This needs to stop!
Harriet Hines
This closing of the slaughter plants has already caused untold havoc for the horses and the horse industry. There is no place for the unwanted,sick,and old horses to go. Many are left to starve. The so called rescues are not anywhere near able to absorb this cost. The tax payers are not going to want to pay for it. One of the main gripes by the anti slaughter campaing is not wanting Europeans to eat horses. This is absurd. It's being used because it seems to resonate with the ignorant types who let this diversion sway them. Meanwhile the anti slaughter group tries to deny that there are horses being abondonded and starving because of their causing the slaughter plants to close. I am a farmer who sees first hand what the reality is here. I and the other farmers/ranchers will not support any politician who are being blinded by the well oiled machine, (with the money), to remain in office to continue to support the wrong policy.
MJNYC
To: Harriet Hines
Well, firstly, I would imagine that the politicians won't care too much since you only represent 20 percent of the population. Eighty percent of Americans are against horse slaughter.
In addition the lies about abandoned horses have been proven false. It has been documented by state officials that this is not the case.
Please take your myths somewhere else; the American public is too smart for this.
Horse slaughter is immoral. I hope you someday find your conscience or perhaps educate yourself on what really happens at a slaughter plant in the United States and especially in Mexico. Since now our horses are being tortured before they die.
Shame on you!
Steve
It's amazing how we think we have more of a right to be here than the animals of the world. Animals eat other animals because they have to, they don't do it for profit. Horses are being used to help our veterans who are coming back from almost being slaughtered themselves. Before you even try and go their, I am a veteran. If we don't even treat our wort criminals this way, then why do we do this to such a great being. Anyone who truly "gets it," knows their is something special about all animals but especially horses. It's time to save and take care of the things that matter most.
Marie
As someone who has raised horses and beef cattle I want to see this bill passed NOW. The slaughter and transportation of horses is very inhumane and both should be stopped immediately. Lets get this bill to the floor and get it passed.
Barb AZ
Harriet Hines,
If you want to place any blame in this game, we all need to go after the folks who are over breeding. The American Quarter horse people as well as the Thoroughbred breeders dump more horses into the slaughter pipelines than anybody else. The USDA states that about 92% of horses slaughtered are YOUNG and SOUND.
Ann Marini
To Harriet Hines:
No matter what your occupation is, rise above the abhorrent and disgusting people. Stand up for the horses/animals and educate people around you. You don't have to tolerate "the reality." Let your conscience be your guide.
If you see abuse, call the authorities. If the abuse continues, start an online petition as was done for the starving animals in Larimer County CO. Animal abuse and/or neglect must never be a way of life.
If people can't afford to feed and care for their animals, they need to give their animals to people who are capable of caring for them.
There is no excuse for horse/animal abuse or neglect. "The reality" (as you say) is unacceptable where there are viable alternatives.
There is always another way but one has to have the character, maturity and determination to find it.
Stop Killing Our Horses
Horse slaughter is NOT HUMANE! If there are so-called "dangerous" horses, they can be put down in a truly humane manner and not be abused and tortured further. Stop overbreeding horses and give them up to rescue groups if you can't take care of them...
Susan E.
The transportation is brutal and the killing process is beyond inhumane. Those who say slaughter is needed for bad or used up horses have never seen the videos or read the reports. A bullet to the head is more humane. The horsemeat is not going to feed the hungry; it's to Europeans and Asians what prime rib is to us here. DO YOUR HOMEWORK and vote YES to end horse slaughter.
Judith Chase
For God's sake, pass this bill immediately! There is enough cruelty in the world already. Stop this inhumane treatment of horses as soon as possible!
Charity
Humans don't need to eat 3/4 of the meat that they do. Why is eating horses any more inhumane than eating pigs (who have the emotional intelligence of a human three year old). Humans should not eat horses, or any other meat! I don't, and I'm perfectly healthy, in shape, and happy. Pfffffft to all of you meat consumers, whichever meat it is which you consume.
Hans
PRO SLAUGHTER
SUCK IT UP!!!!! These bills are going to pass because almost 86% of americans want this !!! It is just a matter of time !!! THE HORSES WILL WIN !!! They deserve to be treated with respect and dignity !!!!
WE the american people have spoken and WE WANT THIS LEGISLATION PASSED!!!!! NOW !!!!!
So senators and congressmen WE HAVE SPOKEN....last time I checked this was a democratic country !!!!!
NOT A DICTATORSHIP !!!
WE THE PEOPLE DEMAND these bills protecting our horses be PASSED IMMEDIATELY !!!!
OR...YOU DON'T GET RE-ELECTED !!!!
nan
Being a horse lover