Update: Horse Slaughter Bill and How You Can Help

Last Monday, June 13, I posted an item announcing the May 30th approval by the House Appropriations Committee of an amendment made by Representative Jim Moran (D-VA). Here is the update on its progress:

Bill is Moving to End Horse Slaughter

On Wednesday, June 15, in a bi-partisan vote of 215-200, the House of Representatives voted to approve H.R.2112 which, since 2006, continues the de-funding of the required inspections of horses destined for human consumption, paid for by United Stated tax dollars. In its final version, the amendment made by Representative Jim Moran (D-VA) was kept intact. If the House bill in its full version becomes law, it will mean that horse slaughter for human consumption will remain illegal in the United States. But in order for the illegality of the slaughter of horses for human consumption or the export of horses for the same purpose to become law, a bill must be passed by both the House and the Senate.

On June 9, a bill (S.1176) entitled "The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011" was reintroduced in the United States Senate by Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC). The intention of S.1176 is to make illegal both the slaughter of horses for human consumption and the export of horses for the same purpose.

Statistics on Horse Slaughter

Each year, approximately 60,000 to 100,000 horses are shipped outside the United States, destined to be slaughtered for meat for human consumption. Their transport to horse slaughterhouses over our borders is both lengthy and inhumane.

Horse Slaughter in the United States

In the United States, unlike other livestock, horses have never been considered animals to be consumed by humans. Often, horses are treated with a variety of drugs that are, in fact, toxic to people, and therefore are not approved for human consumption.

No horse slaughterhouses currently exist in the United States. Additionally, two out of every three Americans feel that slaughtering horses is cruel and unnecessary, nor is there a demand for horse meat in our country. We must finally put an end to horse slaughter.

Senator Landrieu's Stance on Horse Slaughter

According to the Americans Against Horse Slaughter’s website, Senator Landrieu is firmly against this practice within the United States.

"As a lifelong horse lover and rider, this practice is appalling to me, and more importantly, the majority of Americans oppose it," she said. "We raise and train horses to trust us, perform for us, and allow us on their backs, and as such, they deserve to be treated with human compassion. When horse owners are faced with the sad reality of having to put their animals down, it should be by humane euthanasia. I intend to work with Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina and my other colleagues to get this bill passed and permanently end the slaughter of our American horses."

How You Can Help End Horse Slaughter

What you can do to help is call your senators now! Ask them to co-sponsor and vote “yes” on S.1176. Visit http://www.everydaycitizen.com/2007/03/how_to_call_your_senator.html for their phone numbers. Follow up by sending an email, using this convenient link: http://capwiz.com/compassionindex/issues/alert/?alertid=50698776  Every call counts!

Will you share this crucial information with your friends? Let us know in a comment!