H.R. 6598—Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act
Sponsor(s): Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN)
ASPCA Position: Support
Update, 9/24/08: Good news—The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act has passed the House Judiciary Committee. It is now up to House leadership to call the bill for a full House vote.
Americans do not eat horse meat. However, tens of thousands of our horses are cruelly slaughtered every year to satisfy the markets for horsemeat in Europe and Asia. Since the last horse slaughter plants in the U.S. were closed in 2007, thousands of horses have been shipped to Canada and Mexico for slaughter. These overseas plants are not subject to U.S. oversight or regulation. Due to overcrowded transport conditions, many horses are injured even before reaching their final destination. Some are shipped for more than 24 hours at a time without food, water or rest, and the methods used to kill these horses once they arrive at the plant can be exceptionally inhumane.
Horses have been our trusted companions and are a historically significant part of American culture. They deserve a more dignified end to their lives than to be slaughtered and served for dinner. H.R. 6598 would put an end to this practice by prohibiting the transport of America’s horses to foreign countries for slaughter.
Unfortunately, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503), the anti-slaughter bill we have advocated for in the past, has stalled in Congress due to political maneuvering. Similar to H.R. 503, the newly introduced Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (H.R. 6598) would prohibit the possession, shipment, transport, purchase, sale, delivery or receipt via interstate commerce of any horse intended for slaughter for human consumption. Unlike the Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, this bill has the potential to move quickly in the House of Representatives.
Pleae support our beloved John Conyers as he tries to save our horses by signing the petition.
https://secure2.convio.net/...
Along with signing the John Conyer's petition please give your input to the UHC survey
on the problem of unwanted horses.
The Unwanted Horse Coalition is seeking responses to a petition. It was down due to overwhelming response but it should be up again soon. Everyone with an interest in horses is encouraged to respond.
Currently, there are few documented facts about the accurate number of unwanted horses, their age, sex, breed, recent use, value or what happens to them in the long run.
"The downturn in the economy, rising costs of hay, the drought that has affected many parts of the United States, the costs of euthanasia and carcass disposal, and the closing of the nation's slaughter facilities have all made the problem worse. But no one knows its magnitude. That's why the first step toward a solution is to gather and examine the facts.
"Regardless of how horses reached this state, every owner-and the equine industry at large-has a responsibility to ensure that everything possible is done to guarantee the humane care and treatment of unwanted horses," Dr. Tom Lenz, chairman of the UHC said. "Our message now is to please go to [the survey], and provide us with feedback. Answers will be confidential.
Petition link: http://survey.ictgroup.com/...
Unwanted Horse Coalition
Julia Andersen, 202-296-4031
Director
jandersen@horsecouncil.org
or
Stephens & Associates
Cathy McCormick, 913-661-0910, Ext. 115
cathym@stephens-adv.com