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OVERVIEW

SAN BERNABE IS THE LARGEST ILLEGAL UNREGULATED LIVESTOCK MARKET IN MEXICO. It makes a mockery of humanity and is one of the most shameful examples of animal brutality and ill health in Mexico. The San Bernabe market has existed for over 60 years. Origin of horses at the San Bernabe market – Estado de Mexico, Chihuahua, Michoacan and the United States.
It is located at the 22.5 km northeast of the city of Toluca, on the Toluca-Atlacomulco road which belongs to the Municipality of Almoloya de Juárez, and in turn the Mayorazgo community of Leon, Estado de Mexico.
The institutions and authorities, federal and local governments, have full powers of inspection and surveillance, and therefore have the capacity to solve the problem, but remain passive and sluggish. The market is a place for animal trafficking, extreme dirt and dismal sanitary conditions, and tremendous cruelty to the animals being sold. The San Bernabe footage and photos have appeared on many news reports and national TV, so the authorities cannot feign ignorance.
Seen for sale on site are donkeys, horses, mules, dogs and wildlife, whose origins are uncertain and many are visibly sick, arrive and depart transported in sadistic and deplorable conditions with exposed fractures, bleeding open wounds and ulcers. Others are hung with ropes, when they no longer have the strength to stand upright. These suffering “animal waste” are kept alive just because a kilo of live meat costs twice that of a dead one. If an animal finally ends its agony and dies it is cut open right there and its vescera is extracted and thrown on the ground in the middle of the market.
There is no animal health control. Animals are sold directly for two purposes either privately as live animals (for work or food) or to a slaughterhouse (called the “rastro”). Obviously, the sale of live animals is done in less cruel way than that of animals that are sold to the rastro, since the horses going to the slaughterhouse are considered waste and therefore are treated in a very brutal manner, they are kicked, poked with electric barbs that are prohibited for horses. Bats and pipes are used to hit animals, they are tied with ropes. Animals suffer fractures or they fall dead, others arrive with broken limbs because the owners want to get some extra money by selling them and the animals are forced to walk down to the transport truck in these conditions. In the best case, the animals are transported sick, infected with tumors or open wounds, and later sold to the highest bidder. At worst, their corpses are left on the ground without being buried, with animal viscera strewn about in violation of standard NOM-024-ZOO-1995.
Water troughs often don’t contain water, the pens are underutilized – some are overcrowded, others are empty. There is a shed that was scheduled to install a sacrifice room for broken or injured animals that cannot continue the trip. It is important to mention that it is a living sacrifice room and not a slaughterhouse, and has created problems of assessment with the authorities i.e. the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) because they do not accept the installation of a slaughterhouse, in the absence of the necessary infrastructure to do so.
Another problem is the presence of federal local police who sometimes, instead of asking for documentation and health guidance, ask for a financial share to allow access to trucks. Recently, it has become known that there is a dispute between groups to control the market of San Bernabe. Meanwhile, there is total anarchy in violation of animal protection laws, the state and official rules for the transportation of animals, and livestock markets.
Over the years, people of recognized knowledge, experts and advocacy groups for animal rights have talked with local, state and federal agencies, seeking to bring order to the problems of the San Bernabe market. However, the sanitary conditions and the treatment of the animals have not improved. Often laws and rules are not enforced, either because the authorities are unaware of their existence, or they simply ignore them. The Health Ministry has taken up the matter even though there are no laws in place of hygiene and public health. There are dead animals and scattered viscera in the trucks, along with live horses, since they are gutted and the carcasses are transported together with the live animals to the slaughterhouse. No water is available. There is no animal inspection by the SAGARPA, or monitoring of transport by the Federal Highway Police or the Ministry of Communications and Transport.
For several years the market has been controlled by a municipal councilor. The market is located on both sides of the road and while it also sells cars and clothes, most activity is in the trade in live animals. We know that this market has generated a lot of profit that is not quantified, including fees for land use, collection of bills for sale of animals in addition to other fees paid by those who provide service for the sellers of food, fruits, vegetables, shoes, clothing, etc.
The San Bernabe market is in violation of two federal and four state sanitary laws concerning animal health, ecological balance and environmental protection, which state the importance of dignified and respectful treatment of animals.
At San Bernabe, in many cases the cattle are slaughtered without any restriction. They are beaten with sticks, pipes, rods, or touches on the genitals causing them high levels of stress in breach of standard NOM-033-ZOO-1995. In addition, the market does not have appropriate landing ramps, so that the legs of the animals break constantly. Some animals are mixed in the pens, where cattle have injuries, trauma, fractures, wounds or worms. The most obvious abuse is called “scrap yards” where the animals are in poor condition and are sold to be taken directly to slaughterhouses.
A brief description of a horse slaughterhouse in Mexico:
“… The horse shakes its head frantically when the door killing box is closed and trapped within it. A worker buried in his back, around his neck, a small, sharp knife, seven, eight, nine times. She, with her eyes wide, frantically lowers and raises her head while the worker stabs her again and again. On the tenth stroke of the knife, she falls to the ground, bloodied and paralyzed, but still alive. She lays there for two minutes before being hoisted by her leg and lifted into the air, hung upside down to be bled slaughtered in the midst of terrible pain, fully conscious and terrified … “
What happens in San Bernabe is not a new topic, since the flea market has been operating for 60 years every Monday in the same place, and it is estimated that the site has sold over 10, 000 different animals of various species.
Since September 2007 Animal Protection Association of Mexico (APASDEM), has worked hard on a campaign to protect the animals sold at the San Bernabe Market.

En Almoloya de Juárez, Estado de México, se encuentra el  Mercado llamado San Bernabé, donde se comercia principalmente, con caballos mulas y burros, en condiciones de crueldad y falta de higiene  extremas, violando consistente y permanentemente, las leyes de  protección animal y de sanidad.  Las autoridades, teniendo plena facultad y pruebas para clausurar el sitio (a través de imágenes mostradas en múltiples medios), han hecho caso omiso a este reclamo.

Los animales en venta, en su mayoría, están visiblemente enfermos; son  transportados en condiciones deplorables, y  arrastrados sádicamente, sin importar que tengan fracturas expuestas, estén sangrando o tengan llagas. Cuando ya no pueden sostenerse en pie, son colgados con mecates para simular que aún tienen fuerza. Carecen de atención médica, agua y alimento y si mueren antes de llegar al rastro, son abiertos en el mismo sitio en que se encuentran, tirando sus vísceras al piso.
Les llaman "animales de desecho", y se les mantiene con vida hasta el último momento, en una lenta y gran agonía, porque el kilo de carne viva cuesta casi el doble que el de la muerta.  Read Petition Letter

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If ya belong to a Tea Party, Ya might want to leave NOW.

Press release from Krisi Noem, Tea Party favorite Representative from S.D.

Here's just one link.

 WASHINGTON-U.S. Representative Kristi Noem (R-SD) responded to a recently released Government Accountability Office report on horse welfare and slaughter saying that it confirms the fact that there are significant problems with the current restrictions.

 "This report confirms what most ranchers already know.  The ending of horse slaughter and processing here in the United States has increased neglect and abandonment and depressed horse prices," said Noem.

 The last horse processing facilities in Texas and Illinois closed in 2007, thus ending all processing in the U.S.  This was the result of Congress stripping the USDA of funding for food safety inspections at processing plants. The USDA continued to provide inspections on a fee-for-service basis until a federal judge ruled against the arrangement.  Since then horses have been transported to Mexico and Canada for processing.

 The GAO report explains that from 2006 to 2010 the number of horses exported to Mexican processing plants rose 660%. The number of horses exported to Canada for processing increased 148% during the same time period.  Additionally, the report said, "closing domestic horse slaughtering facilities significantly and negatively affected lower-to-medium priced horses by 8 to 21 percent."

 The GAO also said that while comprehensive national data was unavailable, state, local government, and animal welfare organizations report a rise in investigations for horse neglect and more abandoned horses since 2007.

 Noem concluded, "While opponents of horse slaughter here in the U.S. claim they are acting in the name of humane horse treatment, their policies are in fact adding to the inhumane treatment of horses.  I hope this new GAO report makes slaughter opponents reassess their position."

 The full report can be read here.

 ###

GOTTA LOVE the Tea Party! They just LOVE to kill horses an' eat 'em! 


Rebuttal at Animal Law Coalition:

Posted Jun 23, 2011 by lauraallen

• Horse Slaughter

The Government Accountability Office has issued its report, GAO 11-228, on action needed to address unintended consequences of the 2007 closing of domestic slaughter facilities. A principal recommendation: "Congress may wish to consider instituting an explicit ban on the domestic slaughter of horses and export of U.S. horses intended for slaughter in foreign countries."
A bill, S.B. 1176, is already pending in the Senate that would do just that. 
The report issued today was requested by the Senate Appropriations Committee in 2010 and purports to examine "(1) the effect on the U.S. horse market, if any, since domestic slaughter for food ceased in 2007; (2) the impact, if any, of market changes on horse welfare and on states, local governments, tribes, and animal welfare organizations; and (3) challenges, if any, to USDA's oversight of the transport and welfare of U.S. horses exported for slaughter."
Americans trying to stop the slaughter of U.S. horses believe the report was requested as a stall tactic to avoid a vote on a ban of this sleazy, cruel and unnecessary practice. Indeed, the GAO report appears to have been leaked before its formal release today to horse slaughter proponents.  Industry lobbyist, former Rep. Charlie Stenholm read parts of it to members of Congress in trying to convince his former colleagues to approve funding for inspections of horses, something that could mean commercial horse slaughter for human consumption would be legal once again in the U.S. 
Fortunately, they didn't listen to him.
The GAO not only recommends as an alternative a ban on the export of horses for slaughter, the agency also reiterates criticisms made in a September, 2010 report by the Office of Inspector General of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) enforcement of the Commercial Transportation of Equines to Slaughter regulations. The OIG found that:

APHIS does not deny authorization [to ship] horses to shippers with a record of inhumanely transporting horses intended for slaughter...., even if unpaid fines are pending for previous violations. The OIG also found deficiencies in how APHIS tags horses that have been inspected and approved for shipment to foreign slaughtering facilities.
For example, the agency requires shippers to mark such horses with backtags, which are intended to allow APHIS to trace horses back to their owner and also to verify that horses have passed inspection by an accredited veterinarian. However, APHIS lacked an appropriate control to track individual horses by backtag number on approved shipping documents so that it could perform reconciliations, investigate violations, and initiate enforcement actions, as appropriate.
In addition, the OIG noted that APHIS needs to obtain the resources necessary to adequately oversee the transport program and issue in final a proposed rule that would broaden the scope of the agency's regulation of horses being shipped to foreign slaughtering facilities.

The GAO notes APHIS has to date continued to fail to issue a final rule that would ban use of double decked trailers to transport horses at every point in the slaughter pipeline. The current law still basically allows transporters to use double decked trailers to transport horses for all except the last leg of the journey to the slaughter house. For more on the suffering caused by use of these trailers... 
The GAO was also critical that "APHIS stopped entering information from owner/shipper certificates into an automated database in 2005". GAO observed that "automating the certificate data would make it easier for the agency to analyze them to, for example, identify potential problem areas for management attention and possible enforcement action, such as patterns of violations or other problems associated with particular shippers, border crossings, or slaughtering facilities. It would also allow the agency to easily identify buying trends and common shipping routes. Furthermore, automating data from the certificates on the number of horses in each shipment could potentially provide USDA a more accurate count of the number of U.S. horses exported for slaughter.... APHIS's lack of a reliable means of collecting, tracking, and analyzing owner/shipper certificates constitutes an internal control weakness and leaves the agency without key information and an important management tool for enforcement of the transport regulation."
GAO found "certificates returned by C[anadian]F[ood] I[nspection] A[gency] from 2005 through 2009... were not properly completed by either the shipper or CFIA officials. ...[A]bout 52 percent of certificates were missing key information that should have been filled in by either the shipper (e.g., loading date and time, or certification that the horses were fit for transport) or CFIA (e.g., arrival date and time, or slaughtering facility identification). In addition, ... about 29 percent of certificates returned to APHIS were missing some or all of the information to be provided by CFIA officials at the slaughtering facility".  ...[F]rom 2008 through 2009, the 2 years after the cessation, we estimate that about 60 percent of certificates were missing key information".
APHIS does not receive official cooperation from Mexican or Texas officials. "As a consequence, owner/shipper certificates may not be correctly filled out by the shippers and collected, completed, and returned to APHIS from either the border crossing or the Mexican slaughtering facility with information about shipment dates and times and horse conditions....[A]bout 48 percent of these certificates from 2005 through 2009 were missing key information to be provided by either shippers or ... officials. Moreover, about 54 percent of certificates from 2008 through 2009 were missing such information".
GAO notes that APHIS claims the restrictions on federal funds to inspect horses "makes it difficult to ensure that horses are transported humanely to slaughter and to collect information on potential violations that is needed ....to pursue enforcement actions.... APHIS officials speculated that compliance with the transport regulation has suffered because shippers are aware that the program can no longer leverage the assistance of USDA personnel in slaughtering facilities to ensure the completion of shipping paperwork or note the condition of individual horses in a shipment".
Really?  When were horses ever transported humanely? Remember the 2005 FOIA to USDA revealed that well before the defunding of inspections and closing of domestic slaughter plants, there was little or no enforcement of transport regulations and horses en route to slaughter suffered terribly.
Indeed, Animals Angels investigations have established the shocking cruelty of the slaughter pipeline and the failure of USDA to enforce the transport regulations.  It was Animals Angels and Animal Law Coalition that requested GAO examine the cruelty inherent in the slaughter pipeline and APHIS' miserable lack of enforcement of transport regulations.
According to the GAO report, there are only 2 APHIS staff members assigned to enforce the equine transport regulations. "The two program officials stated that the program's limited funding, particularly for travel, has significantly curtailed their ability to provide coverage at border crossings and to work with shippers and inspectors in foreign slaughtering facilities to ensure compliance with the transport regulation." USDA also lacks subpoena authority to help enforce the transport regulations.
So, is the answer more taxpayer dollars to fund USDA's APHIS inspectors whose enforcement of the transport regulations was abysmal long before the "cessation" of the domestic horse slaughter facilities? GAO knows that won't work. That's why banning slaughter altogether was recommended.
Slaughter and the economy 
According to the GAO report, "USDA is not aware of any domestic facility slaughtering horses for any purpose, including for zoos, as of the end of 2010. USDA identified at least three establishments-in Colorado, Nebraska, and New Jersey-that import horsemeat for repackaging and distribution to purchasers in the United States who feed the meat to animals at zoos and circuses. With the cessation of domestic slaughter, U.S. exports of horses intended for slaughter increased to Canada and Mexico, the current locations of all North American horse slaughtering facilities. As of the end of 2010, Canada had four such facilities, and Mexico three, that were the principal destinations of U.S. horses exported for slaughter.... Taken together, the 137,984 U.S. horses that were sent to slaughter in Canada or Mexico in 2010 is approximately equal to the total number of horses slaughtered in 2006."
State veterinarians and some in the horse industry told GAO that since the closing of the U.S. horse slaughter plants, there have been fewer auctions and sales because of lower prices for some horses and higher energy and other operating costs in transporting horses across the border.
The GAO claims "that the cessation of domestic horse slaughter led to an 8- to 21-percent decline-depending on sale price-in the per head price of horses sold at those auctions.  As illustrated in figure 6, we estimate that price reductions were greatest, in percentage terms, for lowest-priced horses, gradually declined as prices increased, and became insignificant for horses in the higher price categories. For example, the average per head price decreased by nearly 21 percent for horses in the lowest price category (20th percentile) and about 8 percent at the median, whereas the price change per head was not statistically significant for higher price categories...-Our estimates show that the economic downturn... was associated with a consistent decline of about 5 percent in price across all price categories".
It might have been helpful had the GAO interviewed economists rather than veterinarians or those with a vested interest in slaughter. Simple economics would indicate if the number of horses going to slaughter has remained the same since the closing of the domestic slaughter plants, then the drop in prices resulted from a decline or change in other demands for horses, like recreational buyers. In other words, it was the economy! It also underscores that the salvage market created by slaughter doesn't support horse prices or contribute much to the economy.  
Horses are not suffering because of lack of slaughter
The GAO does underscore there is no data to support claims of widespread abandonment and abuse or neglect of horses. Indeed, GAO could have mentioned the studies establishing many of these reports are simply untrue, obviously planted in the media to suggest a crisis.
Of course horses are in trouble, but the evidence is that is the result of the economy, not lack of slaughter. After all, GAO states horses are going to slaughter in the same numbers as before closure of the plants. Again, a decline in horse welfare can only be attributed to the terrible economy.
There is also the issue of overbreeding or poor breeding practices that slaughter actually enables.
GAO notes that local politicians, state veterinarians and some in the industry continue to blame "cessation of domestic slaughter" as well as the poor economy for the rise in incidents of abandonment and abuse and neglect.  GAO points out, "Other factors that they generally cited include poor weather conditions (e.g., drought in western states); the cost of horse disposal methods (e.g., veterinarian-assisted euthanasia); the increasing costs of feeding and caring for horses; and the lack of auction markets to sell horses....
"Among the factors affecting horse owners, the State Veterinarians said a horse owner's decision to abandon a horse generally related to (1) cessation of domestic slaughter, (2) poor economic conditions, and (3) low horse prices or lack of sale opportunities. They also said the factors most often related to a horse owner's neglect of a horse were (1) poor economic conditions, (2) the cost of horse care and maintenance, and (3) lower horse prices.... regarding neglect, some State Veterinarians, noting that people are more inclined to take care of that which has value, said that the drop in horse prices affected some owners' interest in caring for their animals, especially if their financial situation had declined."
GAO's report supports that while some believe closing of domestic slaughter plants contributed in some part to cases of abandonment, abuse and neglect, the evidence is that it is really the result of a host of economic factors. Indeed, it makes no sense to blame lack of domestic slaughter plants if the same numbers of horses are going to slaughter as before the closings.
What they also ignore is that numbers of horses going to slaughter is determined largely by a demand for horsemeat in other countries, not numbers of abandoned, abused or neglected horses.
The GAO report does not mention that slaughter creates a salvage market that actually encourages overbreeding. The excess horses driving down prices in a poor economy are from overbreeding. Without slaughter, there would be a reduction in breeding and numbers of excess horses.
Indeed, the GAO notes, "Other officials, including those from animal welfare organizations, questioned the relevance of the cessation of domestic slaughter to the rise in abandoned and neglected horses, which they attributed more to the economic downturn. ...[T]here has been no documented rise in abuse and neglect cases in California since the 1998 ban. ...[T]here was no documented rise in abuse and neglect cases in Illinois following the 2-year closure of the horse slaughtering facility in that state in 2002."
Read more about the economics of horse slaughter that actually results in more, not fewer, excess horses.  Read Equine Welfare Alliance's report to the GAO, detailing study after study that disputes that numbers of abandoned, abused or neglected horses have anything to do with the availability of domestic slaughter plants. In fact, it is the availability of slaughter that drives the production of too many horses. 
GAO Confirms FSIS is not capable of enforcing Humane Methods of Slaughter Act
GAO does not dispute that the Food Safety Inspection Service(FSIS) was grossly ineffective in protecting horses from cruelty during slaughter. In 2004 the GAO found the most frequent violation noted by inspectors in slaughter houses was ineffective stunning, meaning "in many cases ..a conscious animal reach[ed] slaughter" in violation of Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, 7 USCS § 1902(a); 9 C.F. R. §313.15, 9 C.F.R. §313.50(c). See GAO-04-247, GAO-08-686T. GAO also noted there had been no effort made to stop the ineffective stunning and the records kept by inspectors were so poor, it was impossible to tell even by 2008 that there had been any improvement. Also, in 2008, USDA's Office of Inspector General reported that FSIS management controls over preslaughter activities should be strengthened to minimize the possibility of egregious cruelty.
By 2010 GAO was adamant "[a]ctions are needed to strengthen enforcement" of the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. GAO noted despite years of reports and highly publicized incidents of abuse at slaughterhouses, FSIS enforcement remains grossly inconsistent and in many places, non-existent. GAO 10-203
This is the agency that proponents of horse slaughter want us to believe will protect our horses from cruelty? More at Animal Law.

WHEN HORSE SLAUGHTER COMES TO TOWN

Int'l Fund for Horses

Part 1: Environmental Impact

HISTORICALLY, the negative environmental impact of horse slaughter plants has been well documented.

In 2007, all three of the foreign owned horse slaughter plants in the United States were shut down under Texas and Illinois state laws. The two Texas based plants, Beltex in Dallas and Dallas Crown in Kaufman, were closed in February when the 5^th District court ruled that a 1949 law against selling horse meat was valid and in force. The remaining plant, Cavel International in DeKalb, Illinois, closed in mid-September of the same year under a new state law making horse slaughter illegal.¹

It was community administrators and local residents who actively petitioned to have horse slaughter plants shut, citing the extreme disregard for the welfare of the people and locales where they existed as well as the merciless suffering of the horses sent to them.

Numerous Violations Plague Communities

All three horse slaughter plants amassed numerous environmental violations and overwhelmed the waste water infrastructures due to dumping of blood, entrails, urine, feces, heads and hooves.
The Dallas Crown horse slaughter facility had been in operation in Kaufman since the late 70's and from the beginning had caused problems both economically and environmentally. "The slaughterhouse constantly flooded the town’s drinking water with blood and tissue – literally coming out of the taps – and had never complied with city water standards, or paid fines."²
Furthermore, in May 2002, the City noted that another public health hazard "was the vector attraction due to bones and horseflesh falling off your bone trailer" and that "dogs were carrying the bones into the community."³
In fact, in an open letter to state legislators considering pro-horse slaughter resolutions, the town’s mayor at the time, Paula Bacon, referenced Public Works reports regarding effluent and waste water violations "decaying meat [which] provides a foul odor and is an attraction for vermin and carrion," containers conveyed "uncovered and leaking liquids," there are "significant foul odors during the daily monitoring of the area," and "Dallas Crown continually neglects to perform within the standards required of them."⁴
Beltex was a Texas Corporation with European shareholders that had been slaughtering horses for human consumption for 27 years.
As with Dallas Crown, Beltex had a non-unionized workforce. OSHA records revealed that since the plants' inception in 1977 until its last inspection in 1997, Beltex had committed 29 violations of which 28 were deemed serious. OSHA records show that an ammonia leak occurred in 1996, but no one (fortunately) died or was permanently disabled. In 2000 the facility "accidentally pumped blood into the creek" and "in 2001, they were notified that waste water was flowing into adjacent properties and into the creek."⁵
Of particular note, the Sanitation Group of DeKalb, Illinois, where Cavel International was located, identified the incomparable hazard associated with the discharge from horse slaughter facilities.

"This hazard is uniquely acute for horse slaughter because of the wide range of drugs given to horses that are clearly labeled NOT FOR USE IN HORSES INTENDED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION."⁶

These noxious drugs are not only present in the meat intended for human consumption overseas but also in the waste water and sludge produced during processing. This runoff has the potential to contaminate down-stream water intakes, including groundwater used for human consumption, and can enter the food chain via sludge distribution on crops.
Unlike the aforementioned, decades old horse slaughter plants in Texas, Cavel International in Illinois was a sparkling new, purpose built facility that re-opened in June, 2004 with a state-of-the-art pre-treatment system.
Additionally, Cavel International had special Industrial Waste Permits that allowed much higher (8 times higher) contamination levels for waste water leaving the slaughter house. But Cavel was still out of compliance. And not just a few times. This facility was in significant non-compliance hundreds of times. In one report, a Cavel employee acknowledges "chunks" from slaughtered horses were oozing out of tanks. This does not include the numerous safety violations documented by the FSIS.⁷
As a final point, these practices and findings are not limited to the U.S. In Canada, Natural Valley Farms in Neudorf, Saskatchewan, was shut down by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in 2009 for food safety concerns. NVF went into receivership on September 22, 2008, yet horses continued to be slaughtered at the facility by Velda Group, an international Belgian-based company. Velda was infamous in Illinois for numerous environmental charges and convictions at their Cavel International horse slaughter plant that closed business in September 2007.⁸
"Blood disposal appears to have been equally problematic for NVF as with other horse slaughter plants. Not only do horses have twice the quantity of blood as cows, but the blood is notoriously difficult to treat. The bacterial agents used in standard cattle digesters fail to provide acceptable discharge levels because of antibiotics often found in horse blood. As a result, pollution follows the horse slaughter industry where ever it goes."⁹
Former mayor of Kaufman, Paula Bacon, comments "In Canada they have apparently become even more blatant, dumping huge untreated piles of entrails onto open ground and even using a tanker truck to discharge blood and refuse into a local river."¹⁰
In any case, the negative environmental impacts and the chronic inability of the facilities to comply with local laws pertaining to waste management and air and water quality far outweigh any benefits.
This quote by Henry Skjerven, an investor and former director of NVF, sums it up: "Natural Valley Farms died the day the decision makers chose to kill horses . . . ."¹¹

Environmental issues continue to plague the horse slaughter industry. On December 3, 2010, the Bouvry Exports horse slaughter plant in Fort MacLeod, Alberta closed operations to complete renovations related to sanitation.¹²

______________________________

1 Holland, John; Horse Slaughter Trends 2006-2010; Equine Welfare Alliance; http://tiny.cc/jscti ; February 2010.

2 Testimony of Congressman John E. Sweeney; H.R. 503 – American Horse Slaughter Protection Act; http://republicans.energycommerce.house.gov/108/hearings/07252006Hearing1992/Sweeney.pdf ; Jul. 25, 2006.

3 Sorg, Lisa; Violations Dog Beltex, Dallas Crown; http://tiny.cc/ag62l ; Jun. 19, 2003.

4 Bacon, Paula; Open letter to state legislatures considering pro-horse slaughter resolutions; Animal Law Coalition; http://tiny.cc/2wrx6 ; Feb. 13, 2009.

5 Sorg, Lisa (http://tiny.cc/ag62l).

6 DeKalb Sanitary District; DeKalb Sanitary District Board meeting Minutes; http://tiny.cc/31y3m ; Jan. 18, 2006.

7 Allen, Laura; Animal Law Coalition; “Sacia introduces new bill to support horse slaughter,” ; http://tiny.cc/ufjo4 ; Jan. 14, 2010.

8 Holland, John; Canadian Horse Defense Coalition, Summary of Cavel International Violations – Non Compliance and Response; http://tiny.cc/sjwwj ; undated.

9 Holland, John; Horse Slaughter Dream a Financial Nightmare; Harnesslink Newsroom; http://tiny.cc/tq5o6 ; May 14, 2009.

10 Holland, John (http://tiny.cc/sjwwj).

11 Holland, John (http://tiny.cc/tq5o6).

12 Press Release; Canadian Horse Defence Coalition; http://tiny.cc/n6nx7 ; Dec. 10, 2010.

Part 2 

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6 Conclusion

THE horse slaughter industry is an insidious, brutal and predatory business that exists for one reason and one reason only. Horse slaughter exists to supply the demand for horse meat and to profit from it. Horse slaughter is not a humane end to a horse's life. Horse slaughter is not euthanasia.

When horse slaughter comes to town, environmental hazards, economic woes, and the stigma associated with the cruelties inherent to killing horses for their meat, are only a part of the price they will pay.
Putting those considerations aside, relevant as they are, what about the horses?
Horse slaughter is a cruel betrayal of an animal who has made it possible for America to develop the richness it enjoys.
As Laura Hillenbrand, author of "Seabiscuit" says,

"Here are these exquisite, immensely powerful creatures, who willingly give us their labor in return for our stewardship. They have attended us throughout history, bearing us across frontiers and into battle, pulling our plows, thrilling us in sport, warming us with their beauty. We owe them more than we can ever repay. To send these trusting creatures to slaughter is beneath their dignity and ours."¹

_______________________

1 Save the Horses; Quotes against horse slaughter; http://tiny.cc/6dldb ; 2009.

Canada steps up enforcement of horse slaughter guidelines

AVMA News

 

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Canada has taken a first step in developing a comprehensive food safety and traceability program for its equine industry, the effects of which will reverberate at home and abroad.
On Jan. 29, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued health requirements for all horses bound for slaughter in Canada; the new requirements come into effect July 31. Horse owners who intend to sell animals directly or indirectly to Canadian meat processors must record all vaccines and medications administered or fed to their animals and any occurrence of illness in their animals.
The CFIA has provided an Equine Information Document for this purpose; it can be found on the agency's Web site, www.inspection.gc.ca.
About 55 types of medications and substances, including phenylbutazone and certain antimicrobials, are prohibited from being given to a horse intended to be slaughtered for human consumption. A comprehensive list can be found on the CFIA site.
During the transition period, the EID will be reviewed to determine whether horses have been treated with prohibited drugs during the six months prior to their slaughter. A longer "certification period" will eventually be implemented.
A list of drugs that are safe to be given or fed to horses that may be used for food will be available in April. Withdrawal periods specific to horses slaughtered in Canada will be included with this list.
The collection of information is meant to prepare the equine industry for July 31, when it will be mandatory for all federally inspected Canadian equine facilities to have complete records dating back six months for all domestic and imported animals presented for slaughter.
This new measure is part of Canada's response to the European Commission's requirements on the importation of equine meat products, issued in April. The EC notified countries supplying horse meat to the European Union that they were now required to identify horses intended for food production, have in place a system of identity verification, prohibit the use of anabolic steroids and other prohibited drugs, and ensure that withdrawal periods are followed for veterinary medical products permitted to be used on horses that may be slaughtered for food.
Early this year, the CFIA, with assistance from the Veterinary Drug Directorate of Health Canada and equine industry partners, submitted an action plan outlining how Canada intends to meet these requirements. The Equine Information Document is just the first step, with more regulations to follow.
The European Union, Food and Drug Administration, and CFIA regulations have prohibited the slaughter of animals for human consumption that have ever received certain prohibited substances as established by legislation in their countries, but until now, there has been no serious attempt at enforcement.
Dr. Tom R. Lenz, chair of the American Horse Council's Unwanted Horse Coalition, said he wasn't sure how the regulations will affect the industry.
"The buyers may have to hold the horses in quarantine for six months before exporting them unless they have specific medical histories on them," Dr. Lenz said. "Most people in the U.S. don't provide treatment histories when they sell a horse."
Veterinarians, too, will be affected. Treatment records will need to be referenced by owners completing the EID to obtain information on drug withdrawal times and administration of drugs prohibited by the European Union or Canada.
Canada currently has six federally licensed horse slaughter facilities.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that U.S. exports of horses to Canada rose from 24,866 head in 2006 to 49,895 head in 2008, a 100 percent increase.
In 2009, Canada exported nearly 23,100 tons of horse meat products, according to the CFIA. Nearly 60 percent of that amount was sent to European Union markets.
Mexico, where horses are also slaughtered for human consumption, has yet to announce how it intends to comply with the EU six-month quarantine order regarding horses intended for slaughter.

—Malinda Larkin

Permission pending and request submitted 3-6-10

Urgent! Action Alert: Horse Slaughter Canada

STOP THE RE-OPENING 
OF NATURAL VALLEY

AT ISSUE

Purchase and Re-Opening of Natural Valley

Community members at Carry the Kettle First Nations near Neudorf, Saskatchewan are being pressured by their Chief to vote in favour of purchasing the now-defunct Natural Valley Farms/Natural Meat Company horse slaughterhouse!

NVF/NMI was closed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in February, 2009 citing food safety concerns.
A report by CBC National also showed severe environmental and welfare violations:-  Link to CBC report.
Up to 30% of the horses were being butchered while still conscious:- CHDC Investigation Report.

• The vote is to take place tomorrow, Tuesday, January 12th at 10 AM in the community, and Wednesday, January 13th at 5 PM in Regina.

• We must ensure that residents of Carry the Kettle First Nations get out and vote "No".
  

• If only 10 people show up to vote and 6 of them vote "yes", the plant will be reopened and begin slaughtering horses.

For specific information on why Carry the Kettle First Nations SHOULD NOT buy NVF, please see the report written to address this potential purchase.

TAKE ACTION

 Facebook Members

The following link is a site created by the band members but the Chief and his sisters have taken it over and are urging members to vote "yes".

• Please post your comments and concerns and tell them about the nightmare they will be buying:-

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=244029969525&index=1

• We have  been finding that the Chief's sister has been removing our comments as we post them but if enough of us do so, perhaps they won't be able to keep up with them (we can hope and that's all the horses have at this point).

Everyone

• Make sure you send your comments here as well. We believe all residents of the community can see these comments.  Faxing comments may not be seen.
  

Here is the band's site:-

http://www.carrythekettle.ca/?go=contact.

Talking Points

• Statements by NVF investor and director Henry Skjerven who said the plant was a money-losing venture the day they decided to kill horses;

• That 16 million gallons of raw horse blood has been left in a retaining pond above the Qu'Appelle River threatening drinking water for 2 cities in MB;

• That new EU regulations will cripple them financially;

The slaughter of horses is inherently cruel creating an environment of brutality and depression that would negatively impact their culture.

Thank you,
Twyla Francois
Central Region Director
Canadian Horse Defence Coalition
www.defendhorsescanada.org 

Arizona Horse Council (ASHA) Thrashes Humane Groups and Pat Parelli, Supports Feeding Horse Meat to the World's Hungry!

The Arizona Horse Council, or Arizona State Horsemen Association (ASHA), a MEMBER OF THE UNITED ORGANIZATIONS OF THE HORSE, publicly attacks Willie Nelson, Carrie Underwood, Pat Parelli, Sheryl Crow, Vigo Mortenson, Barbie Twins, USEF, Humane Society, and PETA

See the press release HERE.


"The rambling diatribe called for a boycott of the respected United States Equestrian Federation, legendary horse trainer Pat Parelli, Willie Nelson and others for speaking up for the humane treatment of horses and protection of Mustangs. The release accused them of taking “dirty money” and selling out to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), but offered no specifics or proof."

See Equine Welfare Alliance Press Release HERE.




Horse owners, animal advocates, PLEASE contact the Arizona Horse Council (ASHA) and let them know you do NOT approve of these radical statements and policies!

Arizona Horse Council

28150 N. Alma School Pkwy

Suite 103/433

Scottsdale, AZ  85262

(602) 390-6806

http://www.azasha.com/default.asp

United Organizations of the Horse (UOH) Plans to Feed Horse Meat to the Hungry!

__________________

Yes, let me repeat that! 

The United Organizations of the Horse (UOH) plans to feed horse meat to the hungry!

In a press release yesterday, they proposed the following:


"The UOH is working to revive the devastated horse economy and providing a positive solution to the problem of excess wild and domestic horses by restoring the option of humane and regulated horse processing in the US. This will supply wholesome meat to the hungry and a viable export market, increase the value of all horses, and create thousands of jobs."
_____________


Here is the press release in its entirety:

We just sent another press release to major news outlets across the Nation...

As part of our effort to speak the truth, and stand up for the rights of horse owners we continue to try and provide common sense and balance to counteract the outrageous assertions of radical animal rights groups, environmental extremists, and misguided horse advocates.

We refuse to allow their attempts to flood the airwaves with blatant propaganda and alarmist rhetoric to go unanswered. 

___________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 9, 2010
Contact: Sue Wallis: Executive Director, United Organizations of the Horse 307-685-8248
Dave Duquette: Executive Director, United Horsemen's Front 541-571-7588

Horse owners & rural America call for boycott of Carrie Underwood, Willie Nelson, United States Equestrian Federation, Pat Parelli, & others for taking dirty money and selling out to HSUS and PETA.

CHEYENNE, WY-The members and supporters of the United Organizations of the Horse (UOH) call on every American who supports the rights of horse owners, and the principles upon which this country was founded, to boycott celebrities and organizations who have aligned themselves with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Anyone who wants to protect their ability to enjoy animals in their lives; to make a living in the time-honored professions around animals and animal agriculture; and to raise their children in a wholesome environment needs to join this effort. We must block efforts by big, wealthy so-called "nonprofits" and their paid-for-hire celebrities who are becoming a deadly cancer on our society and attempting to constrain and dictate our activities.


HSUS and PETA and their many minions have been bankrolling an all-out assault against the people of the land. These attacks threaten our ability to sustain a valuable culture of responsible, sustainable stewardship of the land and the animals. Recent reports show that HSUS paid 41 people salaries in excess of $100,000 each. Their leader makes over $250,000 per year. These groups spent less than ½ of 1% of their budget to actually help a single dog or cat, let alone a horse. Their dollars all go to hire celebrities, produce media events, and buy off politicians. Their primary purpose is to create drama, manipulate the emotions of those who don't live and work with animals every day, and draw even more dollars into their over-bloated accounts.


"What hurts the worst," says Sue Wallis, Wyoming state representative and executive director of the United Organizations of the Horse, "are people like Willie Nelson, who has done so much good for agriculture with his Farm Aid concerts, turning against the folks who make their living from the land, and swallowing whole the ridiculous conclusions of radical groups making wild assertions about the extinction of wild horses...nothing could be further from the truth. He needs to go to the country, see the devastation of wild horse overpopulation for himself, and work with the rest of us to find a solution that allows our children and grandchildren the ability to see a sustainable number of horses in the wild forever. The approach that he is advocating only leads to miserable starvation for the horses, destruction of the environment for every living species, and devastation of families and communities."


In a move that can only be described as the ultimate hypocrisy, and a blatant example of the prostitution that the allure of big dollars can provide, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) which bills itself as the national governing body of equestrian sport, has allowed HSUS to become the primary sponsor of its annual convention. Pat Parelli, a prominent horse trainer, has also seen the dollar signs and somehow thought that his betrayal of his fellow horse people would go unnoticed. Celebrities like Carrie Underwood, Viggo Mortensen, Sheryl Crow, and the Barbi twins cannot be left unanswered. All celebrities who choose easy money in exchange for sponsorship of organizations seeking to destroy the ability of American families to support themselves with animals must learn that there is a heavy price to pay. 


"It is time to hit them where it hurts the worst, square in the checkbook," says Dave Duquette, a working cow horse trainer from Hermiston, Oregon. "We are asking every American who believes as we do that our rights, our culture, and our ability to enjoy animals in our lives is at stake to boycott anyone who promotes HSUS/PETA, any of their affiliates, and anyone who is opposing the responsible management of wild horses."

Tribal horse people from across the Nation have joined with UOH in calling for common sense and compassion. "These groups will not stop for any reason and will continue to try to undermine what we know is true and right for the good of our natural resources, our sacred horses, and us included," says Arlen Washines, president of the Northwestern Tribal Horse Coalition. Washines is a member of the Yakama Nation which is struggling to find a solution to more than 12,000 feral horses on Yakama lands that are destroying the salmon fisheries, and culturally significant plants in their Washington homeland.

The UOH is working to revive the devastated horse economy and providing a positive solution to the problem of excess wild and domestic horses by restoring the option of humane and regulated horse processing in the US. This will supply wholesome meat to the hungry and a viable export market, increase the value of all horses, and create thousands of jobs. UOH is also working to support the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) efforts to control the number of wild horses on federal lands, and oppose the use of any federal dollars to pay for the upkeep of wild horses in private feedlots and holding facilities off of the federally designated horse management areas as an unconstitutional and inappropriate use of federal funds to establish a welfare entitlement program for animals.


The United Organizations of the Horse, a mutual benefit organization, is committed to the well-being and humane treatment of horses, and the viability of the equine industry in the United States of America. Its companion non-profit group, the United Horsemen's Front, is a charitable and educational non-profit 501c3 organization.


For more information, visit www.UnitedOrgsoftheHorse.organd www.UnitedHorsemensFront.org.

Update on Animal Dump: Tucson

Saving Monsieur Ed? France's Horsemeat Debate

TIME

There's a growing debate in France about eating viande chevaline — and neither side is horsing around. Because what's at, er, "steak" in the dispute is whether France's 200-year tradition of consuming horsemeat will continue unimpeded, or if it — and the economic activity it generates — will be legislated into history at the behest of animal-rights activists who denounce it as unnecessary and cruel.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1950375,00.html?xid=rss-world-huffpo#ixzz0bCA3vDaw

The push to ban horsemeat got a boost this month when the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, an animal-protection group started by the French actress, rolled out a public-awareness campaign to inform people just how many of the creatures are butchered each year once their owners declare their lives of riding, racing or hauling loads over. In addition to some particularly gruesome photos of the bloody butchering process, the ads include shots of children taking riding lessons atop noble-looking mounts, the heads of which are reflected in blood-splattered knife blades. In the text below are details like: "Each year in France, numerous riding-center horses like Caramel are sent to the slaughterhouse." (See the top 10 animal stories of 2009.)
But the Brigitte Bardot Foundation's offensive on the horsemeat industry isn't limited to tugging at heartstrings. The group has also enlisted conservative parliamentarian — and foundation board member — Lionel Luca to prepare legislation designed to alter the status of the French steed in a manner that would prohibit its sale as dinner. To do so, the draft of Luca's bill calls for horses to be reclassified in French law from animal de rente (or animal used to generate income) to animal de compagnie (domesticated animal). If introduced and passed, backers say, horses would then be covered under the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, making the sale of their meat in France as illegal as that of dogs or cats.
Of course, to American and British ears (not to mention taste buds), forcing the French off their horse habit sounds about as reasonable an idea as getting them to stop scarfing snails. (And that's without even factoring in the emotional aversion to seeing a loin of Trigger or filet of Black Beauty served with pepper sauce.) But opponents to the Brigitte Bardot Foundation effort say there's more than just culinary discernment behind their desire to keep alive a tradition that some historians trace back to the early 1800s, when Napoleon fed his famished soldiers horses slain during the Battle of Eylau. (See pictures of what the world eats.)

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1950375,00.html?xid=rss-world-huffpo#ixzz0bCA98QSO

French livestock associations — including those representing horse breeders and riders — note that over 95% of all horses in France are bred first and foremost for their ultimate marketing as meat. In 2008 alone, nearly 16,000 horses were slaughtered for that purpose in France — an income that riding centers, racing stables and other horse-related interests rely on to remain profitable. It's also the main source of revenue for just over 1,000 horse-butcher shops in France, which were traditionally the only places in France to sell the meat, though in recent years, some regular butchers and food stores have also begun offering pre-packaged cuts. Horsemeat brings in a tidy sum, too: sales amounted to $238 million in 2005, the last year for which figures are available.
Opponents also say that horses suffer no worse treatment than their peers in the cattle, pork or poultry sectors, and they accuse animal-rights activists of selectively taking aim at a culinary tradition that won't crimp their own eating habits. (Read: "Horse — It's What's for Dinner.")
In the end, however, the dispute may be for naught, as the French seem to be drifting away from eating horsemeat of their own volition. Consumption of horsemeat in France has fallen steadily over the past two decades, and by a whopping 12% since 2007 alone. The 20,000 tons of viande chevaline eaten in 2008 represents less than 1% of all meat consumed in the country. And that's half of what horse-hungry nations like Italy and Argentina eat, and just one-tenth of China's annual intake.
With French restaurants dropping horsemeat in droves, these booming markets abroad are already becoming a growing source of income for French horse breeders. So, no matter what happens with Luca's proposed legislation, French horsemeat will continue to find its way on the dinner table somewhere in the world — a fact that undoubtedly rankles those who see the animals in terms of the lovable Monsieur Ed rather than tasty tartare.
Read: "Horse Slaughtering: The New Terrorism?"
See TIME's Pictures of the Year.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1950375,00.html?xid=rss-world-huffpo#ixzz0bCAJ7EpP

Starved quarter horse rescued near desolate animal-dumping site

Arizona Daily Star

By Andrea Rivera

Arizona Daily Star

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 12.23.2009
A grisly animal-dumping site was discovered this week after a rescue group received a tip about a female horse clinging to life in a deserted area on Tucson's southeast side.

Judy Glore, of Happy Equine Acres Rescue and Therapy, and other people found a red American quarter horse on Monday after the nonprofit horse-rescue organization received a tip about the animal wandering the desert near South Swan Road and East Old Vail Connection Road.

Glore and other rescuers found two dead horses — one covered in a blue tarp — and several dead dogs, including a pit bull, a pug and puppies.

"As soon as you get out of your vehicle, all you smell is death," volunteer George Roach said of the site's stench.

The rescued horse, who now goes by the name Milly, is being boarded at HEART of Tucson's east-side ranch — where close to 20 other rescued horses also are housed.

Milly, who Glore guesses is about 8 years old, was in fairly good health Tuesday, aside from being severely emaciated.

"You can see every one of her ribs and her hip bones," said Glore, founder and president of HEART of Tucson.

The horse will be weaned back into eating, and her medical needs, such as an injured back leg, will be addressed, Glore said.

Discarded animals were left up and down the road where Milly was found, Glore said.

"It's pretty desolate out there, and I can see how people can dump animals out there and not be seen or caught," she said.

Officials from the Pima County Sheriff's Department visited the site Tuesday to investigate animal abuse and cruelty. The animals appeared to have been dumped after they were dead, said Deputy Dawn Barkman, a Sheriff's Department spokeswoman.

Still, it's illegal to dump animals, Barkman said.

The Sheriff's Department put in a request to have the animals removed by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Barkman said.

There are options for families that lose a beloved pet.

The Humane Society of Southern Arizona offers animal cremation services that start at $65 for cremation only and $135 for a private cremation and the return of the animal's ashes.

Contact reporter Andrea Rivera at arivera@azstarnet.com or 807-8430.

In France, horse falling off restaurant menus

Yahoo News

By Sophie Taylor Sophie Taylor – Tue Dec 15, 3:09 pm ET

PARIS (Reuters) – Many people love horses and traditionally, many French people have loved them even more with a side of salad.
That passion, however, has slowed to a trickle in the last couple of years as crisis-hit French consumers buy less meat and years of campaigning by animal rights groups take effect.
Looking to ram home their advantage, campaigners have launched a pre-Christmas blitz in Paris featuring posters of riding school ponies and graceful yearlings aimed at rending the hardest of hearts.
"Every year in France, riding school horses like Caramel are sent to the abattoir," says one poster by the Fondation Brigitte Bardot, featuring a photo of a perky grey pony reflected in a knife blade.
"It disturbs us that people continue to eat horses at all and we are going to go on campaigning until people stop eating it altogether," said Constance Cluset, a spokeswoman for the animal welfare group created by the former actress.
Last year, 15,820 horses were killed for their meat in France, of which over 7,000 were imported from abroad.
The group, whose campaign was timed to coincide with a horse fair, is pushing for a legislative bill to modify horses' legal status to companion from production-type animals such as sheep.
While horse meat is traditionally cheaper than other animals, the financial crisis has only pushed consumers to buy more chicken, according to French agriculture ministry figures.
Consumption of horse meat has fallen 12 percent in the last two years and currently makes up less than 1 percent of all meat consumed in France, the ministry said in a report.
And while only a few years ago horse meat was relatively easy to find, now it takes more time to track it down.
"Horse is indeed a French dish, but you'd be very hard-pressed to find it in any restaurants now," said the chef at restaurant Le Central in Paris, adding: "There's so much publicity against it."
Accounts vary on how France first took to eating equines.
Some historians say the country's appetite for horse meat dates from the Battle of Eylau in 1807, when the chief surgeon of Napoleon's army advised famished soldiers to feast on fallen horses on the battlefield.
The story adds that the cavalry cooked the trusted steeds using their breastplates as cooking pans.
(Editing by Paul Casciato)

Horse Slaughter: Not Tolerated

HSUS

Horse Slaughter: Not Tolerated | Wayne Pacelle: A Humane Nation

---

Horse Slaughter: Not Tolerated

Posted: 11 Dec 2009 02:16 PM PST

Americans don’t like horse slaughter. Our polling shows Americans want to see an end to the killing of our horses by foreign slaughter plants, with the horse meat going to high-end consumers in Europe and Asia.

The HSUS
Two horses who will find homes through our
Doris Day Horse Rescue and Adoption Center.

Though there have been serious efforts mounted here, especially in the last few years, the Congress hasn’t yet shut down the trade—which still claims the lives of nearly 100,000 American horses each year, most of them perfectly healthy animals and just unlucky enough to have been funneled into the grisly trade. We get reports from horse rescue groups that contract buyers for the slaughter industry are frequently at horse auctions, outbidding individuals offering good homes for horses. Illinois and Texas forced the closure of horse slaughter plants in those states in 2007, and I was delighted to learn this week that the New York Racing Association has just instituted an anti-slaughter policy, with penalties for those who either directly or indirectly sell a horse for slaughter. The association encouraged owners and trainers to collaborate with rescue groups as part of a broader solution to the current dilemmas we face in helping those animals being discarded or retired by the racing industry.
This state racing association is to be commended for taking such a major step in the fight against horse slaughter—surely, one of the biggest humane issues facing horse racing. Sadly, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and many other industry groups are standing on the sidelines as we fight to protect horses from this abuse and work to pass H.R. 503, and S. 727.
In Tennessee, we may have had a recent indicator of the pitiful effects here in the United States of the slaughter industry. Our Emergency Services team has been on the ground for weeks after they teamed with local law enforcement to rescue 82 horses starved by their owners. There’s speculation that they acquired the horses to sell them to the slaughter industry, but they didn’t even have the decency to feed and care for them properly.
The Tennessean, one of the state’s largest newspapers, comments today on the horse slaughter issue, as well as the efforts by state Rep. Janis Sontany to upgrade penalties for violations of the state anti-cruelty statute. So many good people want to do something about this problem, and now is the time for all of us to take collective action.