Thursday, March 27, 2008
The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act: Taking a Stand
One of the most emotionally charged animal rights issues in recent memory centers on the legislation regarding the slaughter of horses. In question is The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. This Act will prohibit the transporting of horses to be slaughtered for human consumption. In September, 2006, the Bill passed in the House of Representatives with votes of 263 to 146. It has yet to be acted upon in the Senate.
The remaining foreign-owned slaughter houses for horses have been shut down. The French-owned Bel-Tex Corporation in Fort Worth, Texas; the Dallas Crown in Kaufman, Texas and Cavel International in DeKalb, Illinois (both which were Belgium-owned) are no longer in operation. These facilities collectively slaughtered over 100,000 horses in 2006 for meat export to countries such as Belgium, France, Italy and Japan.
The shutting down of the slaughter houses have not ended the slaughter of horses. They are being transported across the border to Canada and Mexico to be butchered.
The pros and cons argued on both sides of the problem are many.
Some of the factors raised by those advocating the passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act include:
The Humane Societyof theUnited States
One of the most emotionally charged animal rights issues in recent memory centers on the legislation regarding the slaughter of horses. In question is The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. This Act will prohibit the transporting of horses to be slaughtered for human consumption. In September, 2006, the Bill passed in the House of Representatives with votes of 263 to 146. It has yet to be acted upon in the Senate.
The remaining foreign-owned slaughter houses for horses have been shut down. The French-owned Bel-Tex Corporation in Fort Worth, Texas; the Dallas Crown in Kaufman, Texas and Cavel International in DeKalb, Illinois (both which were Belgium-owned) are no longer in operation. These facilities collectively slaughtered over 100,000 horses in 2006 for meat export to countries such as Belgium, France, Italy and Japan.
The shutting down of the slaughter houses have not ended the slaughter of horses. They are being transported across the border to Canada and Mexico to be butchered.
The pros and cons argued on both sides of the problem are many.
Some of the factors raised by those advocating the passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act include:
- The role that horses have played in the building of this Country. Horses have made their contribution as a primary source of transportation in early days in addition to working the farm fields for planting and harvesting crops.
- Many healthy horses are sold to middlemen at auction with intention of sending them to facilities for slaughter. Many times an owner will sell a horse at auction, thinking that it will be bought for adoption or sold to a stable where it will be cared for. The owner is unaware of the potential fate of their horse.
- With the closure of slaughter hourses we are now faced with the problem of a 300% increase in the number of horses that are being transported to Mexico and Canada for slaughter.
- Passage of the Act will result in a substantial increase the number of unwanted horses. They project that this will tax the financial resources and space available in rescue organizations for the care of these horses. The result is increase abandonment of horses by owners who will be left to starve to death.
- Horses will have to endure grueling conditions as they travel hundreds of miles for slaughter in Canada and Mexico. Transport trucks are often hot, over crowded, and the horses travel without access to food or water.
- Horses slaughtered across the border face more gruesome deaths. Once a horse crosses the border into Mexico or Canada, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) no longer has control over the fate of the horse.
- Horses slaughtered in facilities located within US Borders fell under the supervision of the USDA which regulated the conditions and procedures under which horses were transported and slaughter.
- According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), horses killed in American slaughterhouses died quickly with the steel pins that pierced their brains. The AVMA considers this a humane method for killing horses.
In parts of Mexico, horses are disable, in contrast, by being stabbed with knives to sever their spinal cords. This process may involve several attempts before the horse is disabled causing much pain and suffering for the horse. - The slowdown in the economy have caused economic hardship for many owners who cannot afford the increase prices in hay and grain feed.
Some of the organizations in favor of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act include:
- Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights
- The National Show Horse Registry
- Wild Horse and Burro Freedom Alliance
Those who oppose the legislation include:
- The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA)
- the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)
- the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Both sides raise valid points, but can be interpeted in very subjective ways. Call me emotional, illogical, and not objective, but I am with the first group. I oppose the slaughter of horses and transport of horses across the border for slaughter. I think about Horses Like Model who have a lot to give us in terms of companionship, love, loyality and who only want to be adopted from rescue and be given a loving home. I am very passionate about the Belgian Draft Horse, The Gentle Giant.
If you have not made up your mind which side you support, it is time to examine both sides of the issue and take a stand. One day the US Senate might get serious and move from their state of stagnation on the Legislation. For your love of horses, you will have to get off the fence.
Labels: Rescue
¶ 11:25 AM
