Breaking: Congress Moves to Ban Horse Slaughter in the U.S.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - 1:30pm
Brown horse standing outside

Join us in supporting The Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act, introduced in Congress yesterday by Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Representatives Patrick Meehan (R-PA) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL). This vital legislation will stop the transport of American horses to slaughter in Mexico and Canada, as well as permanently prevent it from occurring here in the United States. Please ask your Members of Congress to cosponsor the bill and help usher it to passage!

We’ve known for years that horse slaughter is an exceptionally cruel practice—whether it happens in the U.S. or elsewhere. Due to their biology and their psychology, horses cannot be slaughtered in a commercial setting without tremendous suffering and fear. 

We also know that horse meat is not even safe to eat! Horses are fed de-wormers and other toxic drugs that can cause terrible reactions—including death—in people who eat their tainted meat. Consumers in the E.U. are just discovering the dangers they have unwittingly been exposed to, and the scandal grows daily.

In spite of this mountain of damning evidence, the USDA is currently processing an application for a horse slaughter operation here in the United States. Roswell, New Mexico, may soon become ground zero for horse suffering.

The ASPCA has worked closely with federal legislators and other advocacy groups to develop the SAFE Act. This bill will stop the pain and the suffering of equines caught up in this grisly business. Please visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center to take action now to urge your U.S. senators and representative to cosponsor the SAFE Act.

Tags: 
Advocacy
Animal Cruelty
Equines
Take Action

Comments

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 14:10 — DENNY (Visitor)
I can't imagine eating a horse,a lamb or any animal that is named fed and raised as a pet. It's time to end the horse slaughter now !

Thu, 03/14/2013 - 09:57 — Kathy Jean Franklin (Visitor)
This is a disgusting and vile act that should not be allowed to continue.

Thu, 03/14/2013 - 14:28 — Janet Bounds (Visitor)
Horse slaughter is a horrible, cruel act for horses, a prey animal. Not to even mention the meat is tainted. It causes several illness's in people. It is just very un-reasonable to continue this practice killing horses for human consumption, Stop the insanity!!

Fri, 03/15/2013 - 10:04 — Alexandra Nitsche (Visitor)
There is no need to slaughter horses for meat consumption but greed.

Tue, 03/19/2013 - 13:46 — christina haverty (Visitor)
Ban horse slaughter for all time. Educate about breeding and the end result of to many horses. Barbaric inhuman discusting.

Fri, 03/15/2013 - 13:03 — Janice (Visitor)
I would like the horse slaughter practice to stop and have been fighting for the cause to ban Slaughter houses and shipping of horses to Canada, Mexico or overseas for the slaughter to be used as a meat source is wrong... The cruelty of putting them crammed together in cattle trucks and corrals crammed together without feed and water. Why is this done? No they are not prey animals the are grazing animals, pets and have served our country for many good purposes... The comment of someone calling them a prey animal is totally incorrect... A lion or a cougar is a Prey animal

Fri, 03/15/2013 - 13:18 — jessica (Visitor)
No, you are thinking of "predators." prey (pr ). n. 1. An animal hunted or caught for food; quarry. 2. One that is defenseless, especially in the face of attack; a victim. 3.

Fri, 03/15/2013 - 15:16 — David Luken (Visitor)
Horses are indeed "Prey animals," as are all animals that graze. Lions, tigers, leopards, cougars, cheetas are PREDATORS -- they eat prey animals.

Fri, 03/15/2013 - 13:28 — Mary Mason (Visitor)
I hate the thought of horses suffering the intolerable conditions & abuse that goes with transport to and the way they are treated at slaughter houses. I hate that horses are being abandoned by the thousands and left to die from starvation & dehydration, by people that just don't care or can no longer afford them.

Fri, 03/15/2013 - 21:29 — Tiffany (Visitor)
Do you recognize that one of the reasons horses are being left abandoned is because they can no longer be slaughtered? People who couldn't afford to euthanize their horses would take them to slaughter so they didn't have to suffer a life of starvation, abandonment, and isolation. Slaughter isn't perfect but it is better than the prolonged death of neglect.

Sat, 03/16/2013 - 13:48 — chicorey (Visitor)
There are horses being abandoned, the ones that the slaughter plants wont accept! They don't want old, skinny disabled horses for slaughter the want the nice fat young quarter type horses, or maybe some young thoroughbreds that cant make it on the track. There are many horses left on this side of the border by the killer buyers. People who care for their animals DO NOT take them to slaughter. There are many horse rescues that will help out with the cost of euthanasia. And considering how much pleasure these animals give, the cost of a vet & a burial certainly isn't that much. Its probably a month or two of board.

Sun, 03/17/2013 - 18:56 — M Jessica (Visitor)
It is sad that we have a society filled with irresponsible people. We should have real penalties in place for people who neglect and abuse animals. Slaughterhouses should have strict regulations so the torture and abuse stops there as well. I believe if we really care and do our job as citizens, we can really help animals. Giving up and shrugging, "oh well" is not a solution.

Thu, 03/21/2013 - 16:16 — Jayme Bastiansen (Visitor)
You are wrong about horses who aren't sent to slaughter increase neglect of horses. That is just an excuse to get people to think its a better option for people to dispose of their horse. In reality people have many options to do something with their horse if they can no longer care for them. All people involved with horses need to be more responsible - whether breeding or caring for the ones here. That's all it will take. Slaughter is just about money, but they will tell the public anything to keep you from realizing how cruel and inhumane it really is.

Sat, 03/30/2013 - 20:57 — Suzanne Moore (Visitor)
Excuse me, but our horses are being slaughtered at the same rate they were when the domestic plants were open. We have always shipped thousands of our horses to slaughter in Mexico and Canada and the same kill buyers at the same auctions were on the spot the moment our plants closed, ready and willing to take up the slack. Not only was the slaughter option ALWAYS available, this year we shipped more horses to Mexico than we ever have before. So, you can stuff the nonsense about the "lack of slaughter." Unless you want to appear even more uninformed than you do already.

Thu, 04/04/2013 - 13:24 — David Crider (Visitor)
Well using your logic you would support the slaughter of dogs, cats, hamsters too. Anyone who "does not want to afford" vet care for their companion aminals should sell them to a lab to be tortured and killed according to your sick logic. People who feel no responsibility to "afford" euthanisia for a terminal amimal should not be allowed to profit by selling it to a killer buyer. Terminal animals do not belong in the food supply. That is how you spread things like mad cow diseease. How do you explain the many young healthy and even pregnant horses being cruely transported and killed. Maybe you should get your facts straight or better yet go and see for yourself.

Fri, 03/15/2013 - 17:07 — John Tuckner (Visitor)
killing any that depend on human help and compasion is unthinkable.

Mon, 03/18/2013 - 22:07 — Amanda Simonton (Visitor)
Please ban this horrible act of horse slaughter

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:03 — Anne Pinkerton (Visitor)
I can't imagine eating a horse,a lamb or any animal that is named fed and raised as a pet. It's time to end the horse slaughter now !

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 22:39 — Diana Danna (Visitor)
Really...

Thu, 03/14/2013 - 16:55 — Sharon Davis (Visitor)
I can't see eating lamb, veal, or horse meat! I will eat pork or beef on occaision, but not much! Will not eat baby back ribs either!

Fri, 03/15/2013 - 15:01 — Stefania (Visitor)
Can you hear yourself talking? You make no sense. How are you deciding for yourself which type of meat to eat, what body part, and what age is appropriate? I don't get you at all. Think about it.

Fri, 03/15/2013 - 23:18 — Katie (Visitor)
All animals are created equal, but some animals are more equal than others? (They all feel pain...) I suggest you to to PETA's website and watch "Meet Your Meat," narrated by Alec Baldwin. What they do to pigs and cows is shameful. You're eating misery with every bite of EVERY animal.

Sat, 03/16/2013 - 13:52 — chicorey (Visitor)
Ah, but PETA is FOR horse slaughter! At least that was their stance on it earlier. Possibly it has changed. And it should.

Sat, 03/30/2013 - 22:56 — Suzanne Moore (Visitor)
I will never understand the Vegan mindset. You should be the very LAST to support adding yet another animal to the slaughter pipeline. Makes no sense. Neither does it make sense to imply that everything we do with one animal, we MUST do with all animals. Horses have done more for humankind that any other animal. We've built civilations on their backs. We built this country off their backs. Before the internal combustion engine, horses did everything. They were beside us in war - where many gave their lives. They worked our farms, pulled our conveyances, carried us on their backs. Mounted police units and mounted sherrif's possies use them yet. Their newest claim to fame is being therapists. Equing Assosted Therapy has really come into it own, with horses benefitting people with all kinds of physical problems. At risk children and prison inmates have all benefitted from working with horses. Horses help autistic children and adults, as well as those suffering traumatic brain injuries. Lately, horses have proven to be very helpful with our veterans suffering from PTSD. More and more states are certifying mini horses as service animals. They also supply endless therapy to their owners. Of the horses that have been slaughtered, 92% (USDA) were young, healthy and had no behavioral problems. Just think what these good horses might have done that was worth so much more than their meat. Haven't horses earned their keep? Do they have to be butchered and EATEN too?

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:04 — cassie gallina (Visitor)
I can't imagine eating any animal. I would love a ban of all animal slaughter, but this is a start.

Fri, 03/15/2013 - 15:07 — Stefania (Visitor)
I am with you. STOP factory farming. STOP backyard farming of animals. STOP the slaughter of ALL animals. STOP hunting. STOP all experimenting on animals. Let's stop the deliberate killing of living creatures. Let's stop and punish all these crimes. We must act together to stop this madness!

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:04 — Anna Oberoi (Visitor)
Ban Horse Slaughter!

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:04 — Rosa Joseph (Visitor)
Please stop this horrific practice. Thank you!

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:04 — jade henrickson (Visitor)
Please stop!

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:05 — Dana (Visitor)
I hate the idea of eating any pet animals please stop this!

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:05 — Brenna Dillon (Visitor)
Please support this act.

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:05 — Kimberly (Visitor)
We've said it before and we will say it again, this unnecessary cruelty and abuse of animals must come to an end! We can not continue to allow such senseless acts and we urge congress to act immediately!

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:05 — Vianey Martinez (Visitor)
Stop this cruel slaughter towards horses! They are our friends not a meal..

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:06 — Arijrashid Yousef (Visitor)
Thank god to that, it's about time

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:06 — Michele Altemose (Visitor)
End the slaughter of horses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had a horse I couldn't EVER imagine eating my sweet, sweet Rowdy :(

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:07 — Carol lake (Visitor)
Please support Safe Act

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:07 — Michelle Caceres (Visitor)
May this be a wake up call to all people that any slaughter is unjust and completely discusting.

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 23:14 — denise tutty (Visitor)
these sick bastards need too end this horse shit excuse the pun . They are not food they are our loved ones and family what the f

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:07 — Sherry Seamands (Visitor)
Animals are alive and feel no differently than human beings. They love and deserve to live the lives they were given. End this slaughter now!!!

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:07 — marilyn sims (Visitor)
please save our horses from slaughter !!

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:07 — Sandy Miller (Visitor)
Please put an end to the slaughter

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:08 — Kelly Ortigara (Visitor)
Please end horse slaughter now.

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:10 — ina aisho (Visitor)
The horses, champion and not, deserve their dignity. Should not be mistreated. And since people couldn't prove to do that. Now NO MORE HORSE SLAUGHTER.

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:16 — Sword (Visitor)
This is an excellent step forward, but why are we only advocating to stop the slaughter of horses? What about the unimaginable suffering of cows, pigs and chickens in factory farms? All of these animals experience pain and fear, particularly in those dismal conditions. Let's take a clue from this and work toward the prevention of cruelty to all animals!

Sat, 03/30/2013 - 23:01 — Suzanne Moore (Visitor)
See my earlier post. Why add another animal to the slaughter pipeline? I really don't get it.

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:22 — Hannah (Visitor)
Horses are in my opinion the most graceful and beautiful animals to ever walk the planet! They help with assisting special needs kids with physical therapy and are wonderful pets. The slaughtering of of such a special animal is truly disgusting! I am disgusted with Mexico and especially with Canada for allowing this to happen! How dare Canada legalize the slaughtering of an animal that does so much to help their country!! Mounties have always used these animals to save lives and keep it's people safe.

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:27 — Kelly Pugh (Visitor)
I fully support the Safe Act

Thu, 03/14/2013 - 15:51 — Karen McCabe (Visitor)
I support getting rid of the inhumane act of transporting horses to Canada and Mexico for slaughter.

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:29 — Sheryl Ketelsen (Visitor)
Please put an end to horse slaughter.

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 15:36 — Holly Ward (Visitor)
Stop the slaughter of horses!

Pages

Post new comment