Protecting Horses From Slaughter Prevention Act-Take Action NOW

I have received many emails from people who want to know what they can do to help to support the Slaughter Prevention Act, and who have also enquired about some of the facts and figures pertaining to this bill that is now in the Senate pending their action. Campaigningforbarbaro  has been most helpful in giving me permission to post the pertinent facts and also what we can do to help. Many of the questions concerned what is going to happen to the "glut" of horses that will possibly become homeless if this bill passes. I do hope this fact sheet will assist people to understand the facts more dispassionately.

FACT: The number of horses currently slaughtered (1%) can EASILY be absorbed into the horse population via the MANY alternatives to slaughter. Ending horse slaughter will not create a glut of unwanted horses or decimate the horse industry. The number of horses slaughtered in 1990 was a staggering 350,000, a number that dropped to an all time low of 42,000 in 2002. Between 1992 and 1993 alone, the number of horses slaughtered dropped 79,000. This is the approximate number of horses that would be spared if horse slaughter were banned today. These decreases didn't create a glut of “unwanted” horses - the industry absorbed them and the market remained stable, just as it will when horse slaughter is eliminated. There are many alternatives to horse slaughter, including retraining/placement services, rescues, retirement homes, sanctuaries, and therapeutic riding programs. American Horse Defense Fund produced a 270-page book of alternatives, and many humane web sites have similar lists.

The number of horses slaughtered is not a function of how many horses are unwanted; it is directly related to both the demand for American horse meat overseas, and the capacity to process it here in this country. The number of horses in the U.S. is currently estimated at an all time high of over 9 million, with a very minimal 1% of the animals going to slaughter.

Many stolen horses are processed at slaughter plants and cannot be considered “unwanted” by any definition. Statistics from one of the largest groups that assist owners in the recovery of their stolen horses, Stolen Horse International (netposse.org) show that approximately 60% of stolen horses are killed at slaughter plants. Several lawsuits show a large number of horses have been obtained through fraud and civil theft. Testimony given under oath by 3 slaughterhouse employees stated that “We do not check for brands or tattoos, we will check for the chips but only to remove them before slaughter so they don't taint the meat... We know that these horses could be stolen.”

California saw no increase in abuse cases in the 10 years since its horse slaughter ban, and even noted a decrease 3 years following the ban. During the 4 years that Cavel was closed, Illinois saw a noticeable decrease in abuse/neglect cases. Horse slaughter encourages (not prevents) abuse, in its transport and by rewarding abusive owners who sell abused/neglected horses without penalty.

Debra suggested that I visit HSUS.org to get more information that I can share with my readers. Here is what HSUS has on their web site now!

HSUS Action- Protecting Horses From Slaughter Prevention Act-Take Action NOW 



The Government Affairs section—principally at the state and federal levels—supports public policies to protect animals. Our current federal legislative priorities are outlined below. Click here to look up legislative efforts in each state.



Protecting Horses from Slaughter:

Last year, nearly 100,000 American horses were either killed at one of three U.S. slaughterhouses for export or shipped to Canada or Mexico for slaughter. Congress approved an amendment to stop horse slaughter during 2006. Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is movingforward with a plan that ignores this Congressional mandate. This surprise move underscores the need for the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, S. 1915 and H.R. 503, which will permanently prohibit the transport, possession, purchase, or sale of horses to be slaughtered for human consumption. H.R. 503 recently passed the House by a 263-146 margin and now it's time for the Senate to act. Two bills, S. 576 and H.R. 297, will reinstate protection from slaughter for wild horses which was stripped at the end of 2004.

Take Action: Horses Headed Toward Final Hurdle