In Arizona

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Hearing officer: Deny permit for horse slaughterhouse

By Associated Press | about 1 hour ago

Posted: 2:47 pm

SANTA FE — A hearing officer is recommending that the New Mexico Environment Department deny a wastewater permit for a Roswell company that wants to slaughter horses.

The hearing officer cited what he called the company’s record of “willful disregard” of the state’s environmental laws.

Valley Meat Co. and the groups trying to block its opening now have 15 days to respond to the report before the environment secretary decides whether to renew the company’s permit.

Valley Meat is a former cattle slaughterhouse that has been fighting for two years to convert its operations to horses. The last domestic horse slaughterhouses closed in 2007.

Its efforts have sparked an emotional, national debate over whether horses are pets or livestock, and has prompted lawsuits by national animal protection groups and the state attorney general.

Monday, January 6, 2014

Horse slaughterhouse notifies New Mexico AG of intent to sue for slander

Habitat for Horses

Posted: 2:46 pm, January 6, 2014 by Posted by Habitat for Horses

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Valley Meat Co owners feel ganged up on due to public pressure against horse slaughter. Now they want restitution in the form of a lawsuit against New Mexico’s Attorney General Gary King. May Valley Meat’s lawsuit get tossed out for the frivolous act it obviously is. ~ HfH

From: The Republic
By: Jeri Clausing

Blair Dunn, attorney for Valley Meat Co of Roswell, NM

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — The owners of a Roswell company mired in legal disputes over its attempts to resume domestic horse slaughter have notified New Mexico Attorney General Gary King they intend to sue his office for slander, harassment, conspiracy and abuse of process.

Valley Meat Co. attorney Blair Dunn Monday sent letters to the state risk management division, giving the required 30-day notice of its planned legal filing.

King has filed a lawsuit that has blocked Valley’s planned opening this month, alleging the horse slaughter plant would violate state environmental and food safety laws.

Dunn contends the state lacks jurisdiction over the federally regulated plant.

A federal lawsuit brought by animal protection lawsuits was thrown out last year, and is currently on appeal. After the appellate court last month lifted an order blocking Valley and a plant in Missouri from opening, citing the plaintiffs’ inability to show a likelihood to prevail, King filed the state suit. A Santa Fe judge has issued another temporary order putting the business on hold until a hearing next week.

Dunn says King is conspiring with the animal protection groups, the Humane Society of the United States and Front Range Equine Rescue, to block a lawful business with a frivolous lawsuit to further his gubernatorial bid.

“They are trying to drive Valley out of business,” Dunn said. “They don’t agree with the lawful business so instead of changing the law they decided they will try to destroy Valley. HSUS and Front Range have stated their goal is to drive Valley out of business.”

Dunn has also accused King’s spokesman, Phil Sisneros, of making defamatory statements about him and questioning his legal capabilities.

Sisneros did not immediately respond to calls and emails seeking comment.

Valley Meat and companies in Missouri and Iowa last year won federal permits to become the first horse slaughterhouses to operate since Congress effectively banned the practice by cutting funding for inspections at plants in 2006. The last of the domestic plants closed in 2007. Congress in 2011 reinstated the funding.

Habitat for Horses is a 501.c.3 nonprofit equine protection organization supported solely by donations. We have around 200 donkeys and horses under our care, plus one ornery, old mule. Most of them are here because law enforcement removed them from their previous owner. Our ability to rehabilitate and rehome them comes from the financial support of people like you. Please support us by making a donation for the horses we all serve. Click HERE to donate

Sunday, January 5, 2014

The Year of the Horse Defined

Straight from the Horse's Heart

by R.T. Fitch ~co-founder/president of Wild Horse Freedom Federation

The Year of the Horse has yet to Begin

It’s “Feel Good Sunday” and the holidays are over, maybe to the relief of some and the disappointment of others, but we are going to take a few moments and define what the ‘Year of the Horse’ REALLY means in the Chinese culture.

Over the past several days we have had a few ‘commenters” who have overstepped their freely allowed bounds and have attacked, in text, 1.3 billion Chinese citizens for the actions of a few. We will attempt to rectify that closed mindedness and those insults with a look at a culture that has been around for thousands of years longer than our European lineage.

The United States, Europe, the Americas, Africa, Australia and Asia all have issues with the humane treatment of not only animals but people. Today, we take a look at a 5,000 year old culture that will, this year, celebrate the horse.

Chinese New Year, also known as known as Spring Festival, will not occur until Jan. 31, 2014. The event is celebrated on a different day each year since the Chinese calendaris lunisolar — taking into account both the earth and moon’s movement.

In China, the holiday is the most important social and economic event of the year– traditionally linked to honoring the household, heavenly gods and ancestors. Today, China celebrates Jan. 1 as New Year’s Day, but the country continues to mark the Spring Festival as a time to spend with family and relax from work.

Typically the holiday begins on New Year’s Eve (according to the Chinese calendar) and lasts for 15 days. Families tend to clean their homes in the days leading up to the celebration but all dusts and brooms are hidden during holiday so that “good luck can not be swept away.” The holiday itself is usually spent with family, shopping, watching fireworks and in some cases – a religious ceremony honoring heaven, earth and other deities.

Each year corresponds to a different zodiac sign and animal. The Chinese zodiacconsists of 12 animals that denote a person’s birth known as shengxiao: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Each of the animals is named after one favored by the Buddha and is said to influence an individual’s personality.

In 2014, it will be the year of the Horse. Known as Wu, those born during the year of the Horse tend to be clever, possess good communication skills, are cheerful and stubborn. In 2014, they are expected to have a good year and are advised to be quiet and patient. Other predications call for people to make the most out of given opportunities, expect good health and a year where romance and career will be in harmony.

For equine advocates the Year of the Horse is the year that horse slaughter will forever be shuttered in the United States and the special interest, horse destructive BLM will be brought to it’s knees ensuring the future welfare, safety and security of America’s national icon will be alive and living free for generations to come.

2014 promises to be a very good year.

The Year of the Horse ~ rtfitchauthor.com

Horse Slaughter In the U.S.: The Dumbest Business Idea Since New Coke

A Humane Nation

Wayne Pacelle's Blog

January 02, 2014

Horse Slaughter In the U.S.: The Dumbest Business Idea Since New Coke

Tomorrow, New Mexico Attorney General Gary King will be back in court seeking to block the opening of a horse slaughter plant in his state because of unresolved questions about waste disposal and unsafe chemicals in the meat. We hope he prevails. Attorney General King—joined by The HSUS and Front Range Equine Rescue—made similar arguments in the federal courts, which have produced a series of red and green lights for horse slaughter plant proponents over the last five months. Both King, as the state’s top law enforcement official, and the state’s Republican governor, Susanna Martinez, oppose the opening of a horse slaughter plant, so the state has hardly rolled out the welcome mat for the would-be horse butcherers and traders.

Kathy Milani/The HSUS

Taking a step back from the legal wrangles in the state and federal courts, I am amazed that the people behind horse slaughter continue to proceed with their thoroughly unpopular gambit, given the impossibly difficult regulatory and social environment they find themselves in. The only explanation for their perseverance must be that they have some financiers willing to bear the costs in their attempt to march healthy horses onto slaughterhouse floors. There’s just no way to view horse slaughtering as a viable business in the current environment, and its future, from a strictly economic perspective, is bleak as bleak can be.

You don’t find too many people seeking to open up whale processing facilities, or cockfighting arenas, on American soil, because any sane investor knows it’s a fool’s errand. There are just too many practical obstacles—legal, political, and social—in the way, even if the proponents had unfailing enthusiasm about the idea of killing whales or fighting roosters. The enterprise depends not only on the enthusiasm of the handful of boosters, but on society’s broader acceptance of the enterprise.

First, as the operators of proposed slaughter plants in Iowa, Missouri, and New Mexico have learned, there is major local opposition to their enterprises. They will have to contend with a battery of regulatory challenges, protests, and public criticism if they wish to operate.

Second, Congress is likely to shut the door on the industry, at least for the coming year. Both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have language in their 2014 spending bills that forbids USDA from spending any money to inspect the plants, and that means the plants won’t be able to operate. Now that a budget agreement has been reached, Congress is expected to act on that legislation by January 15th. All along, this prospect has been looming, and it defies easy explanation that these slaughter plant operators would go to the expense of setting up plants and hiring staff even as Congress acts to put a stop to it all.

Third, there is a highly uncertain market for their product. While there’s never been any demand in the U.S. for horse meat, the industry has relied on markets overseas, principally in Europe. But demand there has been in decline, and according to Animal People, per capita consumption is more than a pound per year in just four of 28 EU nations. Since the scandal that saw horsemeat mislabeled and sold as beef in several countries, per capita consumption rates has declined further still, due to concerns about food safety and the changing tastes of consumers.

Some big money player is probably backing the horse slaughter plants, and allowing them to make totally irrational business decisions. But it’s an economic dead end. One way or another, Americans won’t let these plants operate, just like we wouldn’t allow dog and cat slaughter plants, whale processing, or cockfighting arenas to operate. We have a great entrepreneurial spirit in America, but we also have core values. Horse slaughter just doesn’t make the cut as a legitimate business in our great country.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Here it is! Howling Ridge Winter Games

Monday, December 30, 2013

Breaking News: New Mexico AG Gains TRO Against Proposed Horse Slaughter Plant

Straight from the Horse's Heart

We have just learned that New Mexico’s Attorney General, Gary King, has obtained atemporary restraining order against Valley Meats which will prevent the company from slaughtering horses until after a hearing on the AG’s lawsuit which is scheduled for this Friday.

Owners of Valley Meats and their attorney have been making sounds to the effect that they had intended to start butchering companion horses as soon as the first of the year, those plans are now null and void.

Many thanks to Attorney General Gary King for listening to not only the citizens of the fine state of New Mexico but the 80% of Americans who do not want to see the blight of predatory horse slaughter taint their country.

Updates to follow.

Uncertainty shrouds horse slaughter in US (horsetalk.co.nz)
New Mexico AG suing Roswell horse slaughter plant (KOB.com)

NH Boy a Vigilant Opponent of Horse Slaughter

Straight from the Horse's Heart

By DAN TUOHY as published in the New Hampshire Union Leader

“Gregg has mustered support among New Hampshire’s congressional delegation…”

“Our own Declan Gregg in the news, again, fighting the good fight.” ~ R.T.

Declan Gregg of Children 4 Horses and R.T. Fitch of Wild Horse Freedom Federation speaking in Washington D.C. ~ photo by Terry Fitch

A horse slaughter plant in New Mexico plans to open soon, which is mobilizing animal welfare advocates to repeat calls for a federal ban on slaughterhouses and horse meat for human consumption. One of these opponents is an 11-year-old boy from Greenland, N.H.

Declan Gregg, who runs the blog Children 4 Horses, keeps tabs on the bills that are in committee on Capitol Hill. He has traveled to Washington three times to fight for the bills, and he and his mother, Stacie, plan to keep pressing the case in 2014.

“It’s not good for the horses, community or public safety,” Declan Gregg said in a phone interview Friday.

Gregg, who was the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Humane Kid of the Year in 2012, continues to fight for the SAFE Act, the Safeguard American Food Exports Act, a version of which was introduced in the U.S. House and Senate. That bill would prohibit the sale or transport of horses or horse parts in interstate or foreign commerce for human consumption.

It is a food safety issue, his mother said, because horses are not raised for slaughter and are routinely given medications that are labeled “not for animals intended for consumption.”

Declan Gregg was inspired to speak out two years ago, when he was 9 and noticed his mother was saddened by the horse slaughter issue. He soon found his voice, and encouraged other children to speak out, as well. He promoted letter campaigns to legislators and spoke before the politicians in Concord and in Washington, D.C.

Today, at 11, he is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, likes drawing and enjoys playing basketball. And he’s a savvy advocate. His family does not own horses, but he says he is fighting for responsible horse ownership…(CONTINUED)

Click (HERE) to counter some of the idiot comments directly atNewHampshire.com

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Donor gives Wisconsin Girl, 12, a Horse for Christmas

Straight from the Horse's Heart

By PAMELA POWERS Leader-Telegram

“It’s ‘Feel Good Sunday’ and if this story does not warrant a TISSUE ALERT I don’t know what does. With all of the ugliness out there and the propensity for humans to be violent, obscene and twisted it is a VERY welcome breath of fresh air to see a community of people doing the right thing for one individual, a heartbroken little girl. My hat is off to these folks and we present this story to you, today, on bended knee. It will make your eyes leak. Keep the faith!” ~ R.T.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Not enough things like this go on at Christmas anymore. It just gets at the meaning of Christmas.”

Dani Morrow, 12, of Osseo got the surprise Christmas present of her life when she received a horse and supplies from the area horse community Monday, Dec. 23, 2013, in Osseo, Wis. Morrow’s father died of cancer in October, and her horse died a few weeks ago. (AP Photo/Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, Dan Reiland)

OSSEO, Wis.—Christmas came early for 12-year-old Dani Morrow this year.

On Monday Santa’s sleigh took the form of a horse trailer adorned with red bows pulled by a pickup truck instead of reindeer at the Morrows’ rural Osseo home.

Inside the trailer, dressed up in a blanket and a bow, stood an American quarter horse, also named Dani, a surprise gift intended to bring good cheer.

As about 100 carolers sang Christmas songs, including the girl’s favorite —”Where Are You Christmas?” —the horse was led out of the trailer and toward an extremely grateful girl.

As the horse came into view, Dani Morrow ran to the mare being led up the driveway by a man dressed as Santa Claus.

“I saw her come over the hill,” Dani said excitedly of the horse, tears in her eyes. “I am really so happy. I thought I wouldn’t be able to get her. She was so expensive. This is the best Christmas ever.”

She looked over at one of her friends and added: “I told you it wasn’t a coincidence we had the same name.”

Dani’s receiving the horse was a sign the season of giving had arrived. The girl lost her father, Tony, to colon cancer in October and her beloved pony, Popcorn, to organ failure three weeks ago, the Leader-Telegram ( http://bit.ly/JoFrZD) reported.

An anonymous donor from Pierce County who heard about Dani’s hardships donated the horse, a 13-year-old registered American quarter horse mare. About 10 days ago Candice Aspen of rural Colfax spread the message she was looking for a horse to give the Osseo-Fairchild Middle School seventh-grader.

“When her dad got sick, there were times Dani couldn’t be with him because of treatments, so she would stay with us,” Aspen said.

After the girl’s pony died, Aspen went on a mission.

“I just felt there was something I could do,” Aspen, coach of the UW-Eau Claire hunt team, said. “It originally started (because) I wanted to find Dani a horse for Christmas. I lost my dad when I was young. I can relate to losing someone.”

Aspen posted a message on the Facebook group Chippewa Valley Horse Lovers about finding Dani a horse. But she didn’t expect so many people to offer their help procuring a horse for the girl. Within two hours Aspen had received offers of 50 horses from owners in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

“I never in my wildest dreams expected all the people to step forward,” she said. “None of them have even met Dani or her family before.”

Aspen narrowed the list to 10 horses before the animal bearing Dani’s name was chosen.

“The person who donated Dani the horse never thought of parting with the horse,” Aspen said, but after she saw the posting about Dani’s hardships, she changed her mind.

“Right away it was a perfect match,” Aspen said, noting it is a fluke that the girl and the 15-hand chestnut horse share the same name. “This was the horse she connected with on an emotional level. She was in tears because she felt it was her soul mate.”

The mare has done barrel racing, western pleasure and trail riding, Aspen said.

People’s giving spirits didn’t stop at the horse. Horse owners have donated everything from a new custom saddle to a bridle, grooming supplies, buckets, polo wraps, treats, grain, horse blankets, coolers and other items.

Dani’s family—her mother, Lisa, and her three sisters, Mikey, 16, Caty, 20, and Jessi, 22 —also received gifts such as a hotel stay and services at a local salon from donors.

On Monday at the Morrows’ home, Aspen boosted Dani up onto the horse’s back. The girl reached down and hugged the horse’s neck. A moment later, after climbing down off of the animal, Dani kissed the mare’s muzzle and gently rubbed its cheek…(CONTINUED)