New Anti-Slaughter Amendment: What Does It Mean for Horses?
UPDATE (February 07, 2006):Despite a measure passed by Congress late last year (see below) to prohibit taxpayer money from funding the federal inspection of live horses for slaughter, the practice of slaughtering horses for human consumption will continue unabated in the United States.
Today, the United States Department of Agriculture announced that three slaughterhouses — two in Texas, one in Illinois — will be paying for inspections on a per-fee basis. Beginning 10 March 2006, the companies will maintain their operations by financing inspections themselves.
The announcement follows a rulemaking petition, delivered by the three slaughterhouses about a month ago, demanding inspections. Without such inspections, horses could not legally be slaughtered in the U.S., nor shipped elsewhere to be slaughtered for human consumption.
28 October 2005 - In four months’ time, under an amendment passed with the 2006 agriculture appropriations bill,[1] the U.S. Department of Agriculture will no longer be allowed to provide the inspection necessary to process horse meat for human consumption. The measure also deems shipping horses to other countries for slaughter illegal, although there is no penalty for doing so. Animal welfare groups are ecstatic, calling the legislation a “historic victory on behalf of country’s beloved horses.” [2]
For certain horses, that might be true. But others won’t be so fortunate.
Once enacted, the amendment is only valid for one fiscal year; in October of 2006, horse slaughter will be up for Congressional debate once again. In any case, horses not saved from human consumption may be rendered for zoos or for pet food.
While two of the three horse slaughter plants in the United States may see a dip in sales come February, the Beltex Corporation in Fort Worth, Texas will continue to stay in the business of processing wild boars, ostriches, and bison. [3]
The slaughtering of horses is decried, in part, for its foreignness. Much of the horse flesh is shipped to places abroad such as Belgium and Italy; the three slaughterhouses exporting, we frequently hear, are also foreign-owned.
Yet it is the U.S. government and U.S. ranchers, relying on U.S. demand for beef and other animal products, who remain unwilling to give up their use of public land. And that is what really pushes wild horses and burros off the land and into slaughter. With less land given to the ranching industry, the 41wild horses found slaughtered in the Illinois plant earlier this year might still be alive.
In addition, private owners across the United States will still discard lame, old, outgrown, and otherwise unwanted horses. Horses used for sport and other large commercial purposes also outlive their usefulness and are discarded. An estimated 15,000 horses are actually conceived as throwaways by the menopausal hormone industry each year. Because the legislation does not address the root of the problem, the Congressional debate will continue.
Horses serve us all of their lives, say the animal welfare proponents, and thus we ought to stop slaughter. But it is precisely because we do see horses as put on earth to serve us that we wind up with the issue of how to dispose of them. That won’t go away so easily.
Until we stop seeing horses as an item to be privatized and traded — whether for sport, for companionship, or even for their iconic value as symbols of romantic western ideals, killing is inevitable.
Starting with the few free-living horses still roaming the plains and islands, an enlightened society would ask how we can begin to respect these animals on their own terms.
Footnotes
- House Amendment 236 of House Resolution 2744.
- “Ban on horse slaughter survives Republican effort to kill it,” Associated Press (26 Oct. 2005), quoting Nancy Perry, vice president of governmental affairs for the Humane Society of the United States.
- Personal Interviews, Beltex Corporation, Cavel International and Dallas Crown Slaughterhouses (28 Oct. 2005).
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30 Comments
On October 30, 2005, Tracy wrote:
My family currently have 2 horses.One is 18,the other 6.There is no way in the world I would ever dispose of either one of them.When we obtain any pet, it is for life.The idea of slaughtering horses for any reason is obscene to us.I feel it is about time people wake up & start caring for our domestic & wild animals.If more and more species are eliminated from the world,our ecosystem will be so screwed up there won’t be anything left.
On November 5, 2005, Shelley wrote:
I think that America is just being selfish! The enviroment provides so much for us, our food, homes, and medicine. But instead, people decide to use a free soul for their entertainment and when their done with it? They just KILL IT! Horses are beautiful creatures that never did any human any harm. It hurts me so much to think of people just discarding these animals like they were trash! It needs to be stopped!
On November 6, 2005, BEA DELMAS wrote:
I AM 64 YEARS OLD, I HAVE SPENT MOST OF MY LIFE SAVING UNWANTED, SICK, AND STARVING HORSES. I NOW HAVE 6 THAT WOULD BE DEAD IF WE DIDN’T CARE.
IT’S TIME TO STOP SLAUGHTERING THEM .
THEY DESERVE WHAT WE HAVE. WITHOUT THEM WHERE WOULD WE BE ?????
On November 13, 2005, Viviana wrote:
It’s really sad to know that horses are being killed everyday. And whats even really sad is that not only horses are being slaughtered, but thousands of other innocent animals are being slaughtered everyday also and we need to end this once and for all.
On November 16, 2005, MONIKA wrote:
WE GOT HORSES DOGS CATS AND BIRDS IN OUR FAMILY , AND WE LOVE THEM, THE ARE EVRY THINGS TO US, I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE LET SUFFER ANIMALS OR.KILL THEM ,HOW CRUEL PEOPLES CAN BE.
THIS KILLING AND ABUSING ANIMALS GOT TOO STOP!!!!!!
On December 8, 2005, Ashley strong wrote:
stop killing animals
On January 4, 2006, Silver Rae wrote:
I have recently saved an ex Thoroughbred glending race horse from being sent to a slaughter house and before then i had no idea that horses where being killed everyday. I am only 13 and would do just about anything to stop this cruelity*.Every one i tell says i am to younge to do anything, but i’ll reasure everyone that nothing but death itself is going to stop me…I’ll even gallop all the way to the white house on my new best friend that i renamed from Irish to “BUBBA”.
STOP HORSE SLAUGHTER NOW!!!!!!!!!
On January 31, 2006, phillichia wrote:
Humans are the reason that the horses are there, we used them for transportation once upon a time and they were depended upon to complete every day tasks at one time. We put the horses there to help make our lives easier, not so that we could mistreat them and then slaughter them.
On February 9, 2006, Lynn Klenow wrote:
Slaughter is just greed from over seas markets. This does nothing for the American people. Stop the slaughter!!! We will prevail. I think anyone who supports horse slaughter should be run through the kill chute to see what it is like.
On February 9, 2006, Lee Hall wrote:
Dear Lynn Klenow:
Thank you for writing. Please note that horses are for sale in this country. They are treated as articles of commerce right here. If we wish to get to the core of the problem, it’s important to understand that it cannot simply be written off as a problem caused in some distant place.
And the nationality of the owners of the slaughter enterprises makes no difference. Do you happen to know how many rendering plants exist in the United States — places that process horse bodies for reasons other than human food?
Do the personal characteristics of the plant owners really matter?
It is a tempting form of advocacy to collect support by pointing to something They do, and We don’t. It commonly means that nothing really has to change. In this case, there simply is no serious argument that Belgians and Italians ought to stop selling horseflesh unless a broader argument for a plant-based diet is made. It makes no sense to state or imply a fault specific to foreign horse-eaters, when we are talking from a land that incessantly promotes animal agribusiness around the world. If our own dietary customs and habits aren’t challenged, then we, from North America, really are not posing any serious challenge to horse-eating anywhere.
Indeed, it’s the wealthy ranching industry — animal agribusiness in service primarily for the U.S. market — that forces the privatization of free-living horses in the first place. In other words, the beef sellers are clearing the land of horses so that there is more room for grazing. The market for beef products results in the removal of free-living horses from the land.
And it is our own society’s view that horses should be bred and traded for our competitions, our entertainment, or for companionship that brings them into the cycle leading to the killer buyer.
Thus the argument that the selling of horseflesh is a foreign problem has no meaning, except, perhaps, that it allows people to vent anger at people identified as foreigners. Every hour spent indulging in this conduct is an hour forever lost to animal rights.
Lee Hall,
Friends of Animals.
On February 21, 2006, Erin wrote:
To all of you who have rescued horses, I thank you, but these are animals. I love my horses dearly, but if one of them was hurt or dangerous I would not want to put other people in danger. Thank goodness we still have kill plants, this keeps prices resonable to horse breeders and the quality of horses available high.
On March 4, 2006, Tom wrote:
On February 9, 2006, Lynn Klenow wrote:
“I think anyone who supports horse slaughter should be run through the kill chute to see what it is like.”
Do you really mean that Lynn? If you do, doens’t that make you a psychopath??? These horses are being slaughtered for human consumption… Don’t you understand that people have to eat to survive just like the wolves and grizzlies do??? Did you really think we eat only because we are just low down and evil and mean??? Or we do it because we are filty capitalist pigs and white skinned on top of it???
Who is the worst person:
Person A who is killing a horse because he must eat the same way Lynn Klenow does to survive….
Or Lynn Klenow who wants to see person A killed for killing an animal so person A can eat to survive?????
If you really mean this Lynn, what can you do to help??
There are two things you can do… give up your property to support the nearst wolf and horse reserve, including ALL of your income….and since some thing or other must die in order for you to live, including plants if you are a vegan you could commit suicide…
After all if you don’t eat the animals that eat plants, do you have any right to plants that animals must have to survive?????
Just Curious
Tom
[Blog editors’note: Curious Tom sure is wrapped up in provocations.]
On March 4, 2006, Tom wrote:
On February 9, 2006, Lee Hall wrote:
“Thank you for writing. Please note that horses are for sale in this country. They are treated as articles of commerce right here.”
Well Lee, so is every thing else that people need to eat to survive. Don’t you people understand that all living organisms including man must eat to survive?????
It sounds like you are against the ownership of animals. If so what is your answer??? If people don’t own animals so they can be bought and sold into slavery,…sorry I mean harvested, killed, murdered, slaughtered, butchered, eaten what will you do when the shelves in your grocery store are empty???? Wouldn’t that be fun if you and all of you friends of animals had to face reality and either set there and starve to death or kill something so you could eat just to get rid of your hunger pains!!! I think it would really be funny if your only options were a horse, a wolf or a grizzly!!!!!
Really, what is the difference between a grizzly or a wolf killing a horse to survive and a human doing the same for the same reasons???
There is only one difference if you really stop and think about it… that is the way you view one versus the other in your own mind. Isn’t it true you can avoid this reality because you aren’t involved in the harvesting/butchering process… you can just go to the grocery store???
I see where you are coming from on some of your issues, but you people all act like you aren’t involved in any of this harvesting/butchering process. IE I am a vegan… Well like it or not, if you eat only plant matter, there or people out there that claim you are guilty of killing a plant…. I’ve heard people claim that plants have feeling too!!!
So what is your answer?? Remove the people from the land?? If person A doesn’t have the right to havest the bounty of the land, Does FOA have the right to impose their ideas on Person A????
Also does Lee practice what he preaches???? Do you live in a conventional house?? Do you drive a car?? Do you use any fossil fuels? Electricity? Do you have a pet dog or cat? If you do any of these things and any of the things your friends and neighbors do, you are probably as guilty as the anybody else when it comes to supporting commercial agriculture and the minerals extraction business and all of these things that are ruining our beloved earth mother!!!
Oh by the way, the Berlin Wall was not made to keep people out of communist Russia!!!
Lets see if you’ve got the guts to post this on your blog!
Tom
On March 14, 2006, lola wrote:
it sure does suck to be a horse. you work all your life, and when you’re old & not of use, they kill you cause it’s convenient. sure makes being a cow better? at least no ones riding you, or you’re pulling a load, getting spurred, whipped, having to carry heavy weight…
if you REALLY love animals, you would not keep them.
to keep dogs and cats, they need to be fed (protein) and where is protein going to come from? i almost think that pet food companies, human food companies hype up the idea having pets is a life enriching experience. true, but what to do about old companions? unwanted companions? food to FEED your companions? its a capitalistic society and animals are preyed upon by humans.
so let me reiterate again, if you REALLY love animals, you would not keep them and continue to breed them. because eventually they will need to be disposed of one way or another.
——
but hey, check out these articles—i never imagined they ground up dogs and cats…well, to be fed back to dogs and cats. and cosmetics & soaps too.
On April 27, 2006, Sabrina wrote:
Hi, i am against horse slaughtering just like all of you!! My sister has bought a horse that my boss was goin to sell to a slaughter house…and i recently found out that where i work every year we have the slaughter house people from canada come and get some of our weak horses or our fat ones…i work at a riding stable…actually i used i decided to quit…i cant stand watching those animals knowing their goin to die..and i cant save them all…so far im goin to buy 1 and my sister already bought one!! but i need alot more help then that!! so if you are interested in helpin me email me please im desperate at darlingbrunet101@yahoo.com
On May 20, 2006, Rebecca R. wrote:
what’s up with these people why kill a horse?Well I think killing all kinds of animals is wrong!!!I’m not only talking about horses I talking about seals,cows,wolfs,wel you get the piont,so PLEASE STOP KILLING THESE CREATURES!!!What have they done to us???
thank you!!
On May 25, 2006, Chloe wrote:
Hi, I think horse slaughter is a cruel thing because even if they made a mistake they should not be sent to slaughter and if you wanted them then why did you sell them especially when you no someone will buy them and give them a good home. I think that it is wrong to do to horse slaughter and slaughter to any other animal. I am going to join a anti slaughter club wheni can find one. I hope all of you people who are into slaughter read this. Please stop the slaughter. Stop the pain. If there was a human slaughter house a bet you would be in it. SO please STOP
On May 29, 2006, melissa wrote:
hi, i am totally against animal killing of all kind. i am a vegetarian, and do own animals, some of which we rescued, and we treat them all wonderfully. they are considered family members and friends.
i think that killing any type of animal is cruel, and we do it just so we can eat them. and we only kill them because they can not stand up for themselves, so we HAVE to stand up for them. killing animals for us to eat is no different than killing humans for us to eat, but yet that is illegal.
SO NEXT TIME YOU EAT AN ANIMAL THINK ABOUT THAT!!!!
SO PLEASE STOP ANIMAL SLAUGHTER
On June 12, 2006, goatlover1994 wrote:
HELP STOP ANIMAL SLAUGHTER!
On June 14, 2006, Sarah wrote:
Hello,
I am 12 years old going on 13. My mom said for my birthday we are going to save some horses lives from slaughter. I have 6 horses and I would never ever send one of my horses to a slaughter. I still don’t understand how people could be so cruel to those poor animals.THE ANIMALS CAN’T STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES SO HOW ABOUT WE STAND UP FOR THEM. END THE SLAUGHTER NOW…………….
On June 27, 2006, Lindy wrote:
I suggest that you try to take care of a horse before you start going and defending it’s rights. It is VERY expensive to take care of horses. As a horse owner that uses the horses for a specific sport I know that it is better for them to be let go than for them to suffer. Animals get hurt and horses are so fragile that it happens. Consequently they should go to a happier place.
strong> [Blog editors’ note: Slaughterhouses are not happier places, Lindy. Liberites end when free-living horses are rounded-up from public lands, and channeled into a system of private ownership.]
On August 7, 2006, sian mikki elfi and gemma wrote:
stop killing animals we are in religion and we are angry very angry because we love animals this has to stop!!!!!
love
mikki gemma and sian and elfi! xxoo
On November 4, 2006, Angie wrote:
If these horse weren’t sent to slaughter they would live the rest of their lives in horrid conditions slowly being starved to death. People rarely understand the cost of proper mantenance that goes along with horses, they require housing, farriers, vetrinarians, worming, grooming, training, high quality hays and grains. You cannot just stick a horse out to pasture, they don’t work that way.
To end horse slaughter would mean the beginning of the slow long painful starvation of hundreds of thousands of horses. We need to stop breeding for profit before we can stop killing for profit. Do some research on the PMU industry and Premarin. How many foals go to slaughter so some woman going through menopause won’t have a hot flash?
On January 24, 2007, mishel graves wrote:
I am terrified at what I have witnessed online at the slaughter plants, nothing deserves this fate! However, the list is long when it comes to how these beautiful souls end up with this being their last experience, we must begin with putting much needed pressure on the breeders, the private owners, the riding stables, the boarding stables, we all must be in this together, be a voice, an investagator, and most of all, if you are lucky enough to own a horse or horses, make damn sure that they never have to experience the horror that so many others have endured!!!!!
On October 10, 2007, Elaine wrote:
Alright. Here’s the thing…I believe that people should kill animals only to eat. Seeing how this is happening, I don’t really see a problem. The only reason people are raising such a big deal out of it is because they can’t deal with the fact that horses are being killed. While I agree that the way they are slaughtered might be inhumane, I must say that I agree with Tom. People say that they are against killing animals and humans and horny toads and whatever else they are against, and yet they promote killing another human being? Wow…it seems as if the morals and viewpoints of people have become skewed. Oh well. Now horse killing is just that…horse killing. Calm down people. You may not like it but it happens.
If you want to change it…start a revolution.
On November 5, 2007, laura wrote:
i am really sad to here this is happen to animals. we need to save them not kill them. this is so cruel.
On November 14, 2007, Emily McFarland wrote:
How dare human beings decide to kill such loving caring beautiful animals. without them i wudnt be the person i am today. its digusting. i hate the thought i want to track every horse slaughterer down and….. well we all know what everyone wants to do to horse slaughters, if a horse slaughterer is reading now i just wanna say 1 word, MURDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lots of love Emily x
STOP HORSE SLAUGHTER NOW!!!
On December 16, 2007, kelsey wrote:
Yeah, great job. I’ve had horses my entire life & keep them until they die naturally. Do you realize what you’ve done? Just because they can’t be slaughtered in the US dosen’t mean they won’t be slaughtered. It’s either a longer ride to Mexico or starvation in the back yard. Thanks for saving them.
On February 4, 2008, Kymberley wrote:
Tremendous thanks to all of you who are able to rescue unwanted or neglected horses in our country. I myself can currently only afford one horse - one which I rescued from a killer auction two years ago. Like many horses that end up in auctions - he is actually sound and sane - but for some reason he ended up in a horrible place. Someone must have loved him at one point in his life - as he trusts people and has been a wonderful guy for the two years I have had him. I plan to keep him until the end of his life as I have my horses before him.
With regard to the US ban on horse slaughter - I too called in support of having the bill passed - eager to save horses the misery of being transported in cramped/crowded cattle trailers to only arrive at a US slaughterhouse. I felt that I had contributed to a major victory when horse slaughter came to an end in the US. I was wrong.
You can only imagine how horrified I was to learn that horses bound for slaughter NOW have to endure longer trailer rides to reach our borders - they are ending up Mexico or Canada. Not only are they still being slaughtered in great numbers, but in far more inhumane ways.
It’s a devestating and sad situation. Though not one that is impossible to correct in my mind. Through raising awareness, responsible horse ownership and lack of greed - perhaps our love of these animals will persevere one day. In the meantime it’s comforting to know so many people care about the plight of these wonderful animals.
On February 19, 2008, Amy wrote:
Think about it. Without horses, there would be no west. I’m from the midwest and I believe with a 150% of my heart that the west, or the revolutionary war, or even the civil war could not have been won without the help of horses.
As for tom who says, “Don’t you understand that people have to eat to survive just like the wolves and grizzlies do??? Did you really think we eat only because we are just low down and evil and mean??? Or we do it because we are filthy capitalist pigs and white skinned on top of it???” You do not need to eat horses because you want to. It’s cruel punishment.