Anti-horse slaughter bill passes House vote

The title of the article seems a bit misleading as it has only passed the first step to becoming law (I hope), but it talks about the vote taken today in the House of Representatives. A lot of people have been fighting very hard to lobby this bill getting through this time around. I hope and pray it does.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599...5-1702,00.html

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US bans horse slaughter for meat

From correspondents in Washington

Article from: Agence France-Presse

THE US House of Representatives has overnight voted to ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption, which could bring an end to a $US40-billion industry exporting horse meat to Europe and Japan.

By a vote of 263-146, the House voted to amend the Horse Protection Act, yielding to animal rights activists and average American horse enthusiasts for whom the animals are best enjoyed at the racetrack or on the riding trail.

The law would "prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption and for other purposes."

The legislation was co-sponsored by more than 200 members in the 435-member House.

Opponents fear that the bill could make it more difficult to humanely dispose of thousands of aging or infirm horses each year.

Some 90,000 horses were slaughtered last year in three US plants which the legislation, if also passed in the Senate, could force to be shuttered. Almost all of the meat is for foreign consumption, as most US states have outlawed the sale of horse meat.

Most of the horse meat is shipped to Europe and Japan, where it is seen as a lean alternative to beef.

The bill will go to the Senate for consideration, but probably not before Congress recesses for November's midterm elections.

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A site that goes more into horse slaughter: http://www.equineprotectionnetwork.c...ses/index.html

I personally feel if a horse must be put down for some reason, it should be humanely euthanized the same as a dog or cat. That's no way to reward a lifetime of service and devotion to man.

Hm, that's interesting. I know there has been a lot of push to get this bill passed over the years, but it's never happened. I'm on the fence about slaughter-I believe there that some good does come out of it, but I believe there should be a humane slaughter bill passed that protects the way an animal is slaughtered. However, supposedly the FDA demands that the horse is strung up by one leg fully concsious, and it gets "bled"-it's throat gets cut, and supposedly it has to be alive during this process or they can't sell the meat. :(

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Originally Posted by areias

Hm, that's interesting. I know there has been a lot of push to get this bill passed over the years, but it's never happened. I'm on the fence about slaughter-I believe there that some good does come out of it, but I believe there should be a humane slaughter bill passed that protects the way an animal is slaughtered. However, supposedly the FDA demands that the horse is strung up by one leg fully concsious, and it gets "bled"-it's throat gets cut, and supposedly it has to be alive during this process or they can't sell the meat. :(

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I think I'll join you on the fence. Of course the slaughter is cruel it's also the exact same slaughtering procedure used for cows, I believe pigs also. I understand that in this country horses are pets not food, to most people but I'm just not sure. I guess I'll be reading up on this issue some more.

The horse (or any animal) is not strung up by one leg fully concious. The animal is killed by a blow from a bolt gun before anything else happens..

Not true, I have watched video. They aren't always dead. The captive bolt gun stuns them and many ARE hoisted up by their leg still alive. Some do die from the bolt gun but not all. OFTEN the captive bolt gun misses and the person firing it hits the shoulder, hits the side of their face and lays it open, has to fire again and again because they won't go down. No it's digusting and I think ALL animals should be treated more humanely during slaughter. My cattle and pigs are home raised and slaughtered quickly and humanely.

If you can stomach it.....which I have a hard time doing

http://www.sharkonline.org/horseslaughter.mv

That is not the only video out there, and it's NOT done by PETA.

In America, horses are pets and/or working animals the way our dogs are. We don't send our dogs to a slaughter house when we are "through" with them, we give them a humane euthanasia if they must be euthanized. We could easily do the same with dogs that we do with horses... have slaughter plants where shelters send strays, or where people sell their old/infirm dogs to to be slaughtered (NOT humanely) and then the meat exported to countries that eat dog as a delicacy. To me it's the exact same thing. We do not eat horses here, they are our companions and partners. They deserve more than to be sent to a terrifying slaughter house after we are "done" with them to die a horrible death.

If you read on the link about horse slaughter I linked at the bottom of my first post, you'll learn more about it, and how these plants are foreign owned and run, they just use American horses for their business.

I think this is a stupid law based on stupid social taboos in our country. Horse meat is leaner than beef, and better for you, much like buffalo. This law is there because people think "horsies are pretty" or whatever, and somehow value the life of a horse more than the life of a cow or a pih.

Really, now, who are we to say that a horse's life is worth more than a cow's or a pig's? If someone wants to slaughter and eat horses, why is that any worse than slaughtering and eating pigs?

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Originally Posted by CathyBogart

I think this is a stupid law based on stupid social taboos in our country. Horse meat is leaner than beef, and better for you, much like buffalo. This law is there because people think "horsies are pretty" or whatever, and somehow value the life of a horse more than the life of a cow or a pih.

Really, now, who are we to say that a horse's life is worth more than a cow's or a pig's? If someone wants to slaughter and eat horses, why is that any worse than slaughtering and eating pigs?

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So you'd be fine with say, dog slaughter houses where when people didn't want their dogs anymore for whatever reason, they could just drop them off, let them be slaughtered and send the meat to another country? These horses are not raised for food, they are raised as companions and workmates. When they get old or not "useful" they are dropped off at a slaughter plant where yes, they are slaughtered. This bill is not about the morality of eating horse meat. If other countries want to eat horse meat and have slaughter plants, then that is their culture. The horse meat from slaughter plants here is exported only for the most part.

People rehoming or selling their horses are often fooled by buyers who pretend they are buying the horse for their own use and then instead sell it to a slaughter plant for more money than they paid. It is NOT the same situation as cattle/swine in this way. Many are beloved companions and pets that for one reason or another, end up in the slaughterhouse. It has little to do with "people don't like it because they are pretty." I would feel the same towards our companion animals, dogs and cats, that are not eaten here but eaten in other countries.

By the way, it's possible to disagree with something without bashing it and calling it "stupid" for those who feel strongly about it.

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Originally Posted by CathyBogart

I think this is a stupid law based on stupid social taboos in our country. Horse meat is leaner than beef, and better for you, much like buffalo. This law is there because people think "horsies are pretty" or whatever, and somehow value the life of a horse more than the life of a cow or a pih.

Really, now, who are we to say that a horse's life is worth more than a cow's or a pig's? If someone wants to slaughter and eat horses, why is that any worse than slaughtering and eating pigs?

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Yes a stupid law, since it's great to transport horses in cattle and pig trucks which they don't fit in, poke their eyes out, let them trample each other to death, dont give them any food or water, load horses with broken limbs and bodies, load babies to get trampled on by adults. Yes it must be a stupid law....because we should let that continue. Not to mention, horses have helped man create the civilization we know now, pigs didn't, cows didn't. Horses carried men into battle, were used for transport, were used for exploration, have been used since almost the beginning of civilization to HELP men, so yes, definitely a good idea to torture them to death, I agree! Horse have pulled fire trucks, before mechanization, to help save people's homes and lives, horses have pulled our wagons, carriages, mail, food items.

That's just not true to say they are the same as a cow or a pig. NO animal deserves to be slaughtered inhumanely, none, but horses have to be bled out before shipping, which means they have to be hung up with their hearts beating to pump out the blood. That is not the same. If your horse has served you its entire life, it deserves more than to be killed in a horrid fashion...If you dont' agree then why not set up a dog killing plant, they eats dogs and cats there too. Why not set up a cat killing plant? Cows and pigs are raised for food...UNFORNTUANTELY not in the manner I would prefer for them! Horses serve man their whole lives and at the end of their usefulness, they are sent to be mangled, beaten, totured, and hung to bleed out with a beating heart. They deserve the same end any pet has, they arent' raised for food, they are raised as companions and give their entire lives to HELP man. Why you feel that is a justified end I'd really be interested to hear.

I said "I think this is a stupid law" that'snot bashing it to me, it's stating my opinion.

To be honest, if there was a market for dog meat in the US I would have no more problem with people slaughtering dogs than I do with them slaughtering pigs. We as a culture tend to have a knee-jerk reaction when it comes to animals we think of as pets. There IS a market for horse meat in the US, but most states have outlawed it.

Cows didn't help create the civilazation we know today?? *blink*

People rehoming or selling their dogs or cats can be lied to by people who intend to use the dogs as bait, sell them to research labs, feed them to snakes, etc etc etc. It's the same thing, people need to be more careful when they rehome.

EVERY animal deserves a humane end, IMO, whether it was raised for food, as a pet, as a working animal, a racehorse, whatever. I do not like to see people "playing god" if you will, by assigning more value to the life of one species over another. To me, this bill says that somehoe horses suffer more than cows or pigs, or that the suffering of a cow or a pig means less than the suffering of a horse.

That video you posted Vela was totally heart-breaking. To see all those majestic creatures slaughtered in such an inhumane way, too terrible for words. What I wouldn't give to have my own horse, whilst others learn a living by torturing and murdering them :(
To Cathy's point, to some point I agree that cows, pigs and horses should all be treated equally, of course, in a perfect world none would be slaughtered. But I would never consider it justified for the kind of procedure shown in the video Vela posted for horses, cows, pigs, or even sewer rats to die such a terrible death.

I would think if you are for the humane killing of animals that you wouldn't be opposed to a bill that helps horses just because it is specific to horses. If you are opposed to the laws that prohibit the sale of horse meat in most states, that's a different issue to my mind. The way I see it, this bill is a step in the right direction for animal welfare.

Pitbull fighting, cock fighting, etc. is against the law here due it's inhumaneness, but it's perfectly fine in some other countries, it's part of their culture to fight animals and they raise and breed the animals specifically for it. To my mind that does not mean that in our culture it should be allowed.

I personally disagree with any unnecessary suffering and these factories that make animals suffer. IF horses were raised for food here and the meat sold here, and it wasn't horses going into factories to meet their end after giving a lifetime of service to people, it'd be a bit easier to stomach (for me personally). I for one would be appalled at the thought of dog or cat slaughter plants for people to discard their unwanted pets at.

The statement that the law is stupid I probably did take a bit personally. I suppose I took it to mean that something I feel very strongly about and care very much about is stupid. Things can be taken a bit differently through text than in conversation though. I just think an opposing opinion can be stated a bit more tactfully :)

Hopefully, you can see somewhat where I am coming from on this.

I just read my previous post through and perhaps I didn't get down exactly what I wanted to express the first time. I am against the slaughter of horses, and for that matter, against the slaughter of any animal for human consumption. What I was trying to say was that in my eyes, no animal deserves to be slaughtered, and if some animals are slaughtered, then it doesn't make any difference if they are bred for meat or as domestic pets, they all feel terror and pain, so in my opinion it shouldn't be done. Sorry if that wasn't clear before :)

I'm not sure if it's the same in the USA, but here, all horses are issued with passports which keep records of all veterinary treatment and other health problems and such. The passports eliminate some horses from being slaughtered due to some medication they ahev had in the past. Of course, that does not solve the problem but I think it contributes to the number of horses which are slaughtered.

Well now I want to clarify the one statement in my last post too ;). About an animal raised for food versus a pet turned over to slaughter, I agree both feel pain and terror and I personally feel if it is done it should be done humanely. (which it is not in those slaughter plants). I guess I just mean that with a pet, it seems like more of a betrayal, because they have developed a bond and trust with people and have given their all to us, only to be shunted off for slaughter when we are "done" with them, so that's why I say it upsets me more. I hope that makes sense. I understand your post as well Zara.

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Originally Posted by K9soul

I would think if you are for the humane killing of animals that you wouldn't be opposed to a bill that helps horses just because it is specific to horses. If you are opposed to the laws that prohibit the sale of horse meat in most states, that's a different issue to my mind. The way I see it, this bill is a step in the right direction for animal welfare.

The statement that the law is stupid I probably did take a bit personally. I suppose I took it to mean that something I feel very strongly about and care very much about is stupid. Things can be taken a bit differently through text than in conversation though. I just think an opposing opinion can be stated a bit more tactfully :)

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That's exactly it. Why would any law, no matter what animal it pertains to, that would help end the needless suffering of those animals, be called stupid. I would advocate laws for ALL animals and that those raised for meat be treated humanely in life and death. I just find it odd that someone who loves animals would find a law that would help stop their harm and torment as stupid...it has nothing to do with eating horsemeat or not eating it, it has to do with humane treatment of all animals at the end of their lives, whichever type of animal it is, companion or food.

I also took it personally because truth be told I'd like to end that type of slaughter for ALL animals. I get my beef and pork from farm raised quickly and humanely butchered animals. I can't say the same for turkey, chicken, or anything else, but I would choose to have laws enacted for all animals that would make the ends of their lives as pain free as possible. I just don't find that stupid.

I guess I find the social taboos and biases towards certain types of animals stupid, not necessarily the law....as was said, it IS being passed to try to end some of the suffering, I just don't like the reasons I percieve behind it. Maybe I'm wrong and more research would tell me so, but as far as I can see right now, I don't like the WHY behind this bill.

Ok... time to dig myself a hole I guess. Everyone needs to re-read exactly what was banned. The only thing banned is "horse slaughter for human consumption". There are still rendering plants, rendering has not been banned so there will still be horses sold for "slaughter" it's just got a different name. I ask you to take a good long hard look at this bill and tell me what good it has done? What difference does it make what happens to the animal AFTER it's dead? By that point it no longer cares, heck when I'm dead send me to the pygmys in New Guinea for a meal! I wont care, I'll be DEAD! Just don't torture me before then. THAT is what needs to be changed and regulated, not the actual slaughtering itself. I would much rather know a minute or two of fear before I died than spend weeks, sometimes months being abused and tortured without food or water. I am not against horse slaughter. Do I want my equines sent off to the rendering plant? NO! Would I do everything in my power to stop that from happening? YES! But as long as there are those in the equine industry overbreeding just to have one slim chance of getting that "perfect" foal and making a buck there will be the need for rendering. Think about what will happen to all those foals that weren't "perfect" and all the brood mares too old to breed if this option wasn't available. They'd be left out in a pasture/dry lot somewhere to die a slow and painful death by starvation. Which is worse?

What the american people need to do is stop worrying about the fact that "Flicka" might end up on some Europeans dinner table and start worrying about HUMANE REGULATION BEFORE slaughter/rendering. What happens after the fact is just that, after the fact. Let's do something about the treatment our beloved animals get BEFORE.

Yes I read the bill.

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The law would "prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption and for other purposes."

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Also read here for more facts on horse slaughter. HSUS on horse slaughter

I also just have to say, I'm surprised and disappointed that it seems there is nothing but criticism here for something finally being done on a federal level to help protect animals from cruelty and pain. I realize it is just one species, horses, and not all animals, but it's a step in the right direction, it's raising more awareness, opening more doors for more to be done if it passes. I thought people would see this as a landmark and a positive thing.

K9soul,

I agree with your interpretation of the bill. As I understand it, passing this
bill through both houses would shut down the slaughter houses for horses.

Most agri-business are against this bill for financial reasons. I also think this
bill would be a huge step forward for animals in this country.

Vela wrote:

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NO animal deserves to be slaughtered inhumanely, none, but horses have to be bled out before shipping, which means they have to be hung up with their hearts beating to pump out the blood. That is not the same.

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I'm sorry to say the slaughter of cows is exactly the same as for horses. Also their transport to the slaughterhouse is just as bad. This bill could be a step in the right direction, but I really doubt it. I think it would be better to concentrate on more humane slaughter methods, that type of bill would be easier to spread to other animals.

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Every year, 35.7 million cows are stunned, hung upside down, bled to death, and skinned in slaughterhouses. The federal Humane Slaughter Act stipulates that cows should be stunned by a mechanical blow to the head and rendered unconscious before they are strung up, but the high speed of assembly lines that often process up to 400 cows per hour results in the improper stunning, each year, of millions of cows, who are consequently skinned and dismembered while they are still kicking and crying out in terror.

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Taken from here:http://www.cowsarecool.com/cows.asp

I didn't read the bill, but reading the posts I get the jest of the Bill.

Honestly I do not want it to pass. There is nothing wrong with eating another animal. Humans eat meat, its natural, end of story. Those who choose differently, thats fine, but you have no right to take away our food, because you think something is cute or that its death is horrible, humans are monsters, blah blah blah...

I watched that video, & honestly didn't think it was that bad (I will explain why).
Once again I'll use a Zebra & a Lion.

Mr. Zebra & all his buddies live in fear on a regular bases, as there are always hungry Lions around wanting them as dinner... Mr. Zebra spots Mr. Lion & runs for his life. Mr. Lion gives chase & sinks his dagger like claws into Mr. Zebra's backend.

Mr. Zebra screams in pain & fear & fights for his life. Then Mr. Lion works his way to Mr. Zebra's head (or a buddy does this), clamps down om Mr. Zebra's mouth to drop & suffocate (sp) him. Its not a fast death, its a normal death by lion. Many times while Mr. Lion is suffocating Mr. Zebra, Mr. Lions buddies start to chow down on Mr. Zebra who is still alive & can feel everything.

So my question is. Should we start making Lions eat Tofu & take pills?
Hell no, Lions eat other animals as its natural to them & us.

The horse, cow, pig, ect. should NOT go though hell while living on the farm, or in transport to the slaughtor house, as its in human care.. the ONLY time the animal should be scared & feel any sort of pain is when at the slaughtor house being killed.

If there is any kind of bill that needs to be made, its the care prior to the slaughtor house. I have cut WAY back on meat ONLY because I'm against the way farmed animals are cared for. The meatrix pisses me off to no bloody end (no pun intended). I'm a ferm believer in grazing animals. Farm animals NEED fresh air, fresh foods, excercize, communication & what not with others of its own kind. Farmed animals should be raised almost like pets. Meaning showing them love, compation & care. I'm not saying to give them names & play with them, but love in as in respect.

As many of you know I breed feeder rats. I follow the above. I show the baby rats, love, compation & care. They have the best shavings, the best foods, & I'm up to 3 cages for better comfort. I had a nice female feeder rat several weeks ago. She started showing signs of being ill. I refused to just kill her because she was ill & was a feeder rat. I tried to help her & she was getting better. I kept her beside my computer, so I could keep an eye on her & made sure she ate her special food. She was looking better after a week & then hit rock bottom. She had an infection, & it was a really BAD one. I didn't notice it at first, but I should have. I felt sad for her & ended the suffering. But I tried to give her aid & releave her of her illness, as I have compation for everything, even my food & my pets food.

its 3:30am & I hope this makes sence. I hope there are not too many typos, spelling errors, or other horrid grammar mistakes... if you don't understand something I said, just ask... I hate being bashed because someone or many didn't understand what I was saying, as my english skills are not top notch.

I wont be able to reply for a while, so please give me plenty of time to reply. My life is horribly busy at the moment & PT is at the bottom of my to do list.. reason I'm not around.

THank you for the information Dragonfly. I had not seen that before, the video I had seen of it in the past had been different, but I am not opposed to learning something new and I appreciate the information. Although I have to say I do hope the bill passes and I hope it is at least a start to trying to get better treatment for ALL animals before and during slaughter. It's all appalling to me the way they are treated, whether companion animals or food. I find it odd though that so many don't want the bill to pass...why would someone begrudge the animals, any animals, some releif from the torture they go through. YES other laws need to be passed, YES all animals needs before and during slaughter need to be addressed, but if we can even start somewhere and help SOME animal not go through that, then it's something. We can't stop every evil at once, but it would be nice to stop someting horrid from happening, even if it's only for horses at the moment. I find it odd that anyone who cares for animals wouldn't want it to pass. It may not be the best law, it may only apply to horses, but why is that not important too?? BECAUSE it's horses, they don't want it to pass? That's almost how it seems. I don't care if other people eat horse or cows or don't eat it, I do care that we can try to do ANYTHING to stop the harm coming to some animal. It's really confusing to me that anyone would be against it.

I wouldn't even be as opposed to horse slaughter itself if they carried it out more humanely. I just don't think torture is the way to go about it. I agree that there are many other animal welfare needs but we have to start somewhere.

Vela, I definitely understand how you feel and why you want the bill to pass. I won't say I don't want it to pass, I just feel that it is misguided. I see the problem being less the fact that horses are being slaughtered for meat and more the fact that I think our slaughter houses are inhumane. I wish that we would spend some time figuring out a way to make it less traumatic on the animals. Unfortunately I think with the high demand for meat that is going to be a hard thing to do.

king2005, I want to reply to your post too, but it's late and I have to get up early so I'm going to be back tomorrow. :)

Personally i have no problem with any animal being slaughtered for their meat...wether it be horse, cow, sheep, dog or whatever....but i do have a problem with non humane slaughtering process.

The slaughter process needs to be reviewed..and might i add that not all slaughter houses treat their charges with such cruelty...but the ones that do need to be taught the right way to go about it