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MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer Swanson, Founder of PTHR - jennifer@purethoughtshorserescue.com or (561) 753-6555.
WEB SITE: PMG Press Releases are available at http://www.phelpsmediagroup.com
THE NOBLE EFFORTS OF PURE THOUGHTS HORSE AND FOAL RESCUE
ARE PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY PHELPS MEDIA GROUP. 

Horse Slaughter Bill Receives Added Support -

Pro-Slaughter "MYTHS" Dispelled
September 17, 2008 -- Wellington, Florida --

Today Victoria McCullough, owner of Chesapeake Petroleum, Equestrian and local Wellington Resident will be in Washington D.C. to speak at the Judicial Committee on Behalf of H.R.6598 The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008.
On May 23, 2008 Victoria McCullough and members of Pure Thoughts Inc. Horse & Foal Rescue traveled to Sugarcreek, Ohio to attend one of the gruesome weekly kill-auctions held every Friday.  

This was the day The Triumph Project was born; all the horses were saved from slaughter.

The Triumph Project was not just about saving the horses that day.

It is about changing the future of the horses and horse slaughter by raising awareness through tested and proven facts. 

 Former Representative Charlie Stenholm, (now a lobbyist for the pro-slaughter campaign) would like the country to believe that the horses going to slaughter are "old and infirmed."  

Pro-Slaughter would also like us to believe that disposing of 90,000 horses a year would be impossible and economically not feasible for horse owners.  

Both of these statements could be construed as crucial to the cause

IF they were true.  

Horses that are sent to slaughter have been labeled "unwanted" when really they are inhumanely DISCARDED, with no accountability or responsibility to the owners.
Contrary to Mr. Stenholm's statements, the proven facts are the following:
Total Horses Purchased 163 (all horses that were destined for slaughter)
Number of old and infirmed horses from that total 7

(4.3% of the horses purchased were old or infirmed and needed to be humanely euthanized, all due to neglect)
Cost to euthanize and dispose of ALL old & infirmed horses $1225
In addition, in less than 3 ½ months since their purchase from auction almost half of these horses

have been placed in forever homes and successfully adopted, which shows they are not unwanted horses.
In regards to Victoria McCullough's continued fight against slaughter the following statement was made.  

"I firmly believe that the present economic crisis is a very clear tutorial that in arrogance

we have lost a sense of human definition and traded our once core fundamentals for

self-serving elements.  

How we treat our children, our elderly, our pets and companion animals give us our identities.

I would prefer to endeavor to reach for alternatives to restore our compassion and sensitivities.  

To slaughter young healthy beautiful horses, ponies, foals and mares in foal and to overuse and abandon work animals that have given their lives in service is purely barbaric and unjust in our country of opportunities and dreams.  

I am in Washington to fight for the environment; the human environment. Cruelty such as this is intolerable and I have promised the horses that we have saved from slaughter to illuminate the injustice corruption and senseless mass disposal that has lingered in back rooms permeated by greed.  

These one hundred and sixty three horses spared on May twenty-third will save many many more... they and I have been reborn." --Victoria McCullough for The Triumph Project
The Triumph Project - The Davis McCullough Foundation funded the Triumph Project as an awareness campaign to enlighten the world through unified efforts ts, both in the United States as well as abroad, of the betrayal of our equine ally. Throughout history, horses have served us by escorting us to battle, tilling our fields, drawing our carriages, and enriching our lives as our companions and friends.
Pure Thoughts Inc. - is an all-volunteer 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving the lives of horses, yearlings and foals that were intended to go to slaughter for human consumption.

These horses would have been brutally tortured and slaughtered.

Pure Thoughts Inc. Horse & Foal Rescue also rescues horses from starvation, abuse and neglect,

any horse in need. To date, over 1150 innocent equines have been saved and we will continue to

fight for the horses. We cannot do this alone...we need your help!!

Please help us and others save these beautiful animals and please remember in your thoughts

the ones we were unable to reach.
Jennifer Swanson
561-254-0415
Jswan0415@aol.com
www.PTHR.org
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Please forward to all rescue groups:

I had a call about 4 o'clock from Washington DC. A lady asked if I was taking in horses. I asked her what she had. She said she was just inquiring in case she needed a place for a horse. I then answered YES, I am taking in horses.

Then an hour later, another call came in. This time a young man asked the same question. I immediately answered YES, I am taking in horses and explained there are many foster homes available for temporarily housing horses needing placement.

I then called the number back. 202- 229-9928. The message said this is a non working number at the US Representatives.

I have a large horse rescue (100 +/- horses). If they are calling horse rescues and hearing they are full...We will lose. Please pass this around now. Thanks for all you do.

I don't have time to write as much as I used to, with so many horses and problems. But my heart is here to STOP slaughter once and for all. I have been fighting this battle for 30 years. We can do it.
Cheryl Flanagan
www.savethehorses.org

We are losing the WashingWatch poll

Posted by: "John Holland" hollandtech@earthlink.net   hollandtechserv

Mon Sep 15, 2008 4:14 pm (PDT)

Suddenly this poll has turned against us after days of our side being ahead. Apparently the pro folks have learned that you can vote multiple times. I don't know what the time is, but I logged back on and it let me vote again.
http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_HR_6598.html
Vote early and vote often.

Send a letter to your rep (especially NH!!) without getting up!!

Posted by: "Beth" fatoldfarmwife@verizon.net   bethofneer

Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:29 am (PDT)
Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act Will End Horse Slaughter
<http://capwiz.com/compassionindex/issues/alert/?alertid=11716831>
Contact your U.S. Representative in support of H.R. 6598 today!
With more than 100,000 American horses brutally slaughtered last year
there is an urgent need to pass federal legislation to shut down this
trade. Thankfully, House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr.
(D-MI), Representative Dan Burton (R-IN) and many of their colleagues
have taken up the reins and introduced H.R. 6598, the Conyers-Burton
"Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act". The legislation recognizes horse
slaughter for what it truly is - animal cruelty - and will end the
practice for good. Please take a moment to contact your U.S.
Representative and ask for his/her support of this sound legislation.
I hope this works, but if not, you can go to:
http://capwiz.com/compassionindex/home/
<http://capwiz.com/compassionindex/home/>
click...fill it out and click... EASY! You don't even have to get out
of your chair!!
Please do this, it's the least we can all do....lest ANOTHER 100,000
horses goes to slaughter this year! One goes every 5 minutes. ):
NH peeps...you are NOT cosponsored!! Get ANGRY!!!
Thanks.

AWI NEWS:  UPDATE ON TODAY'S MARK-UP IN THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTE

Posted by: "Bonnie Oliver" friesians2@casinternet.net   friesians2

Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:02 pm (PDT)

UPDATE ON TODAY'S MARK-UP IN THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
The Committee mark-up and vote did not take place today. Some discussion
occurred earlier today among the members, and the issue was extremely
contentious in the Committee. Due to the controversial nature of the
discussions as well as other issues (10 bills and none were finished) before
the Committee, the mark-up and vote has been delayed. Support is still
strong on the Committee, but opponents are doing everything they can to
delay final Committee action.
As of now we do not know when it will take place, it could be at any time.
It is critical that you keep up the pressure on Congress by contacting your
Representative and Senators, particularly if your Representative is a member
of the House Judiciary Committee. As soon as we have more news, we will
post it here. In the mean time if your Representative is not a cosponsor of
H.R. 6598, the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act please urge them to
cosponsor as soon as possible. We need to have as much support for the bill
when it reaches the floor of the House. Thank you very much for your
efforts.
Sincerely,
Chris
********************
Christopher J. Heyde
Deputy Director, Government and Legal Affairs
Animal Welfare Institute
PO Box 3650
Washington, DC 20027
Tel: (202) 337-2332 ~ Fax: (888) 260-2271
www.awionline.org <http://www.awionline.org/>
www.compassionindex.org <http://www.compassionindex.org/>
For over 57 years, AWI has been the leading voice for animals across the
country and on Capitol Hill. Please join us in our ongoing campaigns to
reduce the sum total of pain and fear inflicted on animals by humans. Sign
up for AWI eAlerts to receive the latest news on what you can do to help us
protect all animals: http://www.awionline.org/joinus.
P Please consider the animals and their habitat before printing.

a click away from helping horses

Posted by: "martinmaryd@comcast.net" martinmaryd@comcast.net   wyattcactus

Tue Sep 9, 2008 5:46 am (PDT)

Dear NEER members,
We have an opportunity right now to move forward with the fight against horse slaughter.
This Wednesday, September 10th, the House Judiciary Committee will vote on the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (H.R. 6598). This bill would prohibit the purchase, sale, transport or delivery of horses intended for human consumption. The bill addresses the cruelty associated with horse slaughter, something that even defenders of slaughter admit exists.
Click here to send a letter to House Judiciary Committee members urging them to support H.R. 6598.
Horse slaughter is a brutal process. Horses are neglected and abused when they are collected, during transport and in the slaughterhouse. According to the US Department of Agriculture, over 92% of horses that go to slaughter are in good condition and could be placed in a new home.
Click here to send a letter to House Judiciary Committee members urging them to support H.R. 6598.
Thank you so much for your support,
The National Horse Protection Action Fund Team
The National Horse Protection League is an online community dedicated to making every horse a wanted horse. Our mission is simple: to protect horses and help owners who can no longer care for their animals find a humane and loving alternative to cruel death or abandonment. Visit www.horse-protection.org and find out how you can show your love of horses.
--
Mary D. Martin - MA Rep/Director NEER
www.newenglandequinerescues.com
" We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~ Kant

FW: Animals Angels report

Posted by: "Susan Sefscik" ssefscik@cfl.rr.com

Tue Sep 9, 2008 6:14 am (PDT)
-----Original Message-----
From: Barbara Warner [mailto:bkwarner@windstream.net]
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 7:33 AM
To: AHDForg@topica.com; horsesatrisk@yahoogroups.com; KYAnimal
Subject: Animals Angels report
For Immediate Release -
Nineteen months after filing a Freedom of Information request
regarding violations of the Commercial Transportation of Equines to
Slaughter Regulations, Animals Angels received records, covering a five year
period that revealed blatant violations involving the transport of unfit
horses.
Information obtained:
- Between February 2002 and December 2006, the Transport to Slaughter
Regulations were violated 199 times by 299 violators.
- Among these 199 cases, 87 are still open. This shows that it takes
the USDA years to process these cases, while the violators continue to
transport horses.
- Sections [88.4(a)3 vii, viii] of the regulations were violated 163
times in 70 different cases. These sections prohibit the transport of horses
that are blind, unable to put weight on all four limbs, pregnant or under 6
months of age.
- Sections [88.4(a) 4i, 4ii, 4ii(b), 4ii(c)] of the regulations were
violated 164 times. These sections specify the segregation of stallions and
mares, the floor space each equine should have on the conveyance and the use
of electric prods.
- A significant number of violators received no fines. Of the 299
violators, 100 received a “ticket” but no fine at all.
- Repeat violators include:
Leroy Baker, Ohio (11 cases listed, fines paid as of March 2008:
$0.00)
Joe Simon, Minnesota (8 cases listed, fines paid as of March 2008:
$0.00)
Charles Carter, Colorado (3 cases listed, fines paid as of March 2008:
$0.00)
- In 54 cases, a fine was issued. However, the majority of these cases
are still open, which means the violator still has the possibility to
appeal. Some cases resulted in severe fines. For example, Anton Wald was
fined $20.000, John Malouff was fined $40.600 and
Michael Mc Barron was fined $21.000. However, according to a Court
decision on May 10th, 2007, McBarron only has to pay half of this fine (if
he does not violate the regulation again until 2012) and was offered a
comfortable payment plan of $2500/year for the remaining $10.500.
Points to consider:
a.. Is the Transport of Equines to Slaughter Regulation an effective
tool to prevent inhumane transport of slaughter horses?
b.. Why does it take so long to prosecute these cases?
c.. Is the existing enforcement in the form of “warning letters”,
tickets or fines enough to deter transport companies from violating the
regulations?
To review the Freedom of Information Act documents, please click
here..
View Full Message
Please support the AHDF.
www.AHDF.org
www.HoofLinks.blogspot.com
www.HorseCareOnline.com--^^-

Urgent Alert!!  AWI !

Posted by: "martinmaryd@comcast.net" martinmaryd@comcast.net   wyattcactus

Sun Sep 7, 2008 5:24 pm (PDT)
If you have trouble reading this e-mail, go to http://www.awionline.org/legislation/eAlerts/2008/090708.htm
URGENT eALERT!!! CALLS NEEDED TODAY!!!
HORSE SLAUGHTER BILL UP FOR COMMITTEE VOTE
September 7, 2008
Dear Humanitarian:
AWI has learned that the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (H.R. 6598) will be voted on by the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, September 10th. The bill, which was introduced in July by Judiciary Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) and Representative Dan Burton (R-IN), will criminalize the slaughter of American horses. While the vast majority of Americans, the United States Congress and members of the House Judiciary Committee support an end to horse slaughter there are some members on the committee who are staunch supporters of horse slaughter and will attempt to kill the bill through subterfuge.
What You Can Do:
Call and/or email members of the House Judiciary Committee (see full list below) TODAY and ask them “to support passage of the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (H.R. 6598) out of committee as introduced, with NO amendments”. Please also ask them “to cosponsor H.R. 6598 if they haven’t done so already.” Let them know that:
Every 5 Minutes an American horse is slaughtered for human consumption abroad. Visit www.every5minutes.org for the current number and to learn more about this industry.
Despite the closure of the country’s three remaining horse slaughter plants in 2007, tens of thousands of American horses continue to be slaughtered in Canada and Mexico in the absence of a strong US law banning prohibiting the trade.
* The photo above is of a horse in Texarkana, Arkansas, found beaten and crammed onto a horse trailer being transported to slaughter with 18 other horses.
Horse slaughter is not humane euthanasia; it is a brutal process during which horses suffer terribly from start to finish. Their trip to Mexico is often on double deck trailers where they are crammed with dozens of other horses for up to 30 hours without food, water or rest. Once in Mexico some slaughterhouses use a “puntilla” or knife to stab the horse to death. The entire process is extremely inhumane.
Despite claims to the contrary, horse slaughter is not a necessary evil through which sick, old and unwanted horses are humanely disposed of. The industry is a predatory one that actively seeks out marketable and healthy horses to be slaughtered at great profit.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, more than 92% of horses going to slaughter are in good condition and could be placed in a new home. Those horses who are truly sick or old should be humanely euthanized on the spot by a licensed veterinarian.
Horsemeat is considered a delicacy in many European and Asian countries where it is consumed by high-end diners.
The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (H.R. 6598) will end this cruel trade for good. Ending horse slaughter is a positive step in improving horse welfare in the US, which is why so many horse industry groups and leaders, veterinarians, humane organizations and equine rescues strongly support an end to horse slaughter.
Whether you contact your legislator by phone or email, please be sure to provide him or her with your name and mailing address, and if you are a constituent, request a response on this specific issue. Please also share our “Dear Humanitarian” eAlert with family, friends and co-workers, and encourage them to contact their legislators, too. As always, thank you very much for your help.
Sincerely,
Cathy Liss
President
www.awionline.org
www.compassionindex.org
For over 57 years, AWI has been the leading voice for animals across the country and on Capitol Hill. Please join us in our ongoing campaigns to reduce the sum total of pain and fear inflicted on animals by humans. Sign up for AWI eAlerts to receive the latest news on what you can do to help us protect all animals: http://www.awionline.org/joinus.
NOTE: Because of the urgency and limited time we encourage you to call each office and ask for their support. There is no need to contact Chairman Conyers or Representative Scott given their lead on the bill itself. * denotes that the member has a history of supporting measures to end horse slaughter. Bolded name denotes they are a current cosponsor of H.R. 6598.
DemocratsRepublicans
The Honorable John Conyers, Jr., (MI)*
Chairman
Tel: 202-225-5126
Fax: 202-225-0072
Email: john.conyers@mail.house.gov
The Honorable Lamar Smith (TX)
Ranking Member
Tel: 202-225-4236
Fax: 202-225-8628
The Honorable Mark Berman (CA)*
Tel: 202-225-4695
Fax: 202-225-3196
Email: howard.berman@mail.house.gov
The Honorable Lamar Smith (TX)
Ranking Member
Tel: 202-225-4236
Fax: 202-225-8628
The Honorable Rick Boucher (VA)*
Tel: 202-225-3861
Fax: 202-225-0442
Email: ninthnet@mail.house.gov
The Honorable John Sensenbrenner (WI)
Tel: 202-225-5101
Fax: 202-225-3190
The Honorable Jerry Nadler (NY)*
Tel: 202-225-5635
Fax: 202-225-6923
The Honorable Howard Coble (NC)
Tel: 202-225-3065
Fax: 202-225-8611
Email: howard.coble@mail.house.gov
The Honorable Bobby Scott (VA)*
Tel: 202-225-8351
Fax: 202-225-8354
The Honorable Elton Gallegly (CA)*
Tel: 202-225-5811
Fax: 202-225-1100
The Honorable Melvin Watt (NC)*
Tel: 202-225-1510
Fax: 202-225-1512
The Honorable Bob Goodlatte (VA)
Tel: 202-225-5431
Fax: 202-225-9681
The Honorable Zoe Lofgren (CA)*
Tel: 202-225-3072
Fax: 202-225-3336
The Honorable Steve Chabot (OH)*
Tel: 202-225-2216
Fax: 202-225-3012
The Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee (TX)*
Tel: 202-225-3816
Fax: 202-225-3317
The Honorable Dan Lungren (CA)*
Tel: 202-225-5716
Fax: 202-226-1298
The Honorable Maxine Waters (CA)*
Tel: 202-225-2201
Fax: 202-225-7854The Honorable Chris Cannon (UT)
Tel: 202-225-7751
Fax: 202-225-5629
Email: cannon.ut03@mail.house.gov
The Honorable Jim Delahunt (MA)*
Tel: 202-225-3111
Fax: 202-225-5658
Email: william.delahunt@mail.house.gov
The Honorable Ric Keller (FL)*
Tel: 202-225-2176
Fax: 202-225-0999
The Honorable Robert Wexler (FL)*
Tel: 202-225-3001
Fax: 202-225-5974
The Honorable Darrell Issa (CA)*
Tel: 202-225-3906
Fax: 202-225-3303
The Honorable Linda Sanchez (CA)
Tel: 202-225-6676
Fax: 202-226-1012
The Honorable Mike Pence (IN)*
Tel: 202-225-3021
Fax: 202-225-3382
The Honorable Steve Cohen (TN)*
Tel: 202-225-3265
Fax: 202-225-5663
The Honorable Randy Forbes (VA)*
Tel: 202-225-6365
Fax: 202-226-1170
The Honorable Hank Johnson (GA)*
Tel: 202-225-1605
Fax: 202-226-0691
The Honorable Steve King (IA)
Tel: 202-225-4426
Fax: 202-225-3193
The Honorable Betty Sutton (OH)*
Tel: 202-225-3401
Fax: 202-225-2266
The Honorable Tom Feeney (FL)
Tel: 202-225-2706
Fax: 202-226-6299
The Honorable Gutierrez (IL)*
Tel: 202-225-8203
Fax: 202-225-7810
The Honorable Trent Franks (AZ)
Tel: 202-225-4576
Fax: 202-225-6328
The Honorable Brad Sherman (CA)*
Tel: 202-225-5911
Fax: 202-225-5879
The Honorable Louie Gohmert (TX)
Tel: 202-225-3035
Fax: 202-225-5866
The Honorable Tammy Baldwin (WI)*
Tel: 202-225-2906
Fax: 202-225-6942
The Honorable Jim Jordan (OH)
Tel: 202-225-2676
Fax: 202-226-0577
The Honorable Anthony Weiner (NY)*
Tel: 202-225-6616
Fax: 202-226-7253
Email: weiner@mail.house.gov
The Honorable Adam Schiff (CA)*
Tel: 202-225-4176
Fax: 202-225-5828
The Honorable Artur Davis (AL)*
Tel: 202-225-2665
Fax: 202-226-9567
The Honorable Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL)*
Tel: 202-225-7931
Fax: 202-226-2052
The Honorable Keith Ellison (MN)*
Tel: 202-225-4755
Fax: 202-225-4886
http://capwiz.com/compassionindex/utr/0/?u=http://www.awionline.org/legislation/eAlerts/2008/090708.htm
--
Mary D. Martin - MA Rep/Director NEER
www.newenglandequinerescues.com
" We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~ Kant

Horse Slaughter DOES NOT prevent abuse nad neglect. It encourages it

Posted by: "martinmaryd@comcast.net" martinmaryd@comcast.net   wyattcactus

Thu Sep 4, 2008 7:00 am (PDT)
DOES NOT prevent abuse nad neglect. It encourages it!
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 13:26:02 +0000
Good Morning,
If you would like me to email a copy of this article with all its' pictures and its' original format please email me at Jswan0415@aol.com (Jswan0415 @ aol.com) I give permission to crosspost
Horse Slaughter does not help prevent abuse and neglect..It encourages it...and HIDES it!
When we save horses from slaughter we know we are saving them from a cruel and horrible end. For the most part the horses we save are in good flesh, good ages, trained and able to be ridden. But every so often, we will rescue horses that are severely neglected. Sometimes it is very obvious and the horses need to be euthanized immediately. But sometimes, the months and even years of neglect are masked. It is a PROVEN fact that when the slaughter houses were closed in the state of Texas and California the abuse and neglect rates went down.
We repeatedly hear the pro-slaughter people say: If there were no horse slaughter, there would be more abuse and neglect of horses. Well, I am confident these people have not been to the kill auctions lately, because THE AUCTIONS are where the abused and neglected horses are…. And no one knows this fact… because no one wants to go to a kill auction, nor do the kill
auctions make it easy for the private
Billy at the auction... left there, injured, sick, horribly thin and a terrible
infection in him. Did not have the energy to stand he was so thin. It took
10 days before he could be transported he was so weak
buyers. The neglected and abused horses are brought there, go through the auction, and almost always bought by a killbuyer and then shipped to slaughter. No one knew their names, no one saw these horses, no one knew the neglect and abuse that happened to these horses… and no one will remember them the Monday following the auction… because no one cared enough… THAT my friends is what horse slaughter is promoting! This allows anonymity to the people who have committed the crimes of abuse and neglect against these horses (punishable by law). They have withheld the proper feed and water, they have worked them to within inches of their lives and have not provided them with proper medical care… So, not only does horse slaughter provide anonymity to these people who neglect their horses, but they actually reward them for it. They are not arrested, they are not fined, they do not face any charges… no accountability! They receive a check for their horse when he or she is sold to s
laughter, and receive money as a “reward” for the horrible, cruel way they have treated their animals…
Is this acceptable in our country?
We have saved many horses from slaughter that needed to be put down because of neglect and abuse. We have also saved many horses that we are able to rehab. We cannot report the owners of these horses because we do not know the names….anonymity. They are protected by the auction that will not give us a name. Case in point…. Billy Boy is a four-year-old Belgian who is fighting for his life. At first we thought Billy was starved, but every time we cross one hurdle with him medically, another one faces us. Now Billy is fighting for his life because he was severely abused and neglected, then sent to the kill auction. Billy was hurt and proper medical care was withheld from him. Billy could no longer work because of his poor condition, so he was starved… And when Billy could not longer walk, he was brought to the kill auction to ship to slaughter. His owner who hurt him and committed these punishable crimes received a check as a reward for the lack of care that he gave Billy�€
¦. This time however, it was not from the kill buyer, this time the check came from us, a rescue. We will now face thousands of dollars in medical bills, but his owner got a check so he can now go buy another horse and commit the same acts of cruelty against that horse. This is what horse slaughter does…..it hides the crime. Horse Slaughter in our country aids and abets the people who commit animal cruelty crimes. Horse Slaughter does not help prevent the abuse and neglect to the horses of our country… it encourages it and wraps it up in its’ blanket of “dirty little secrets” in this country. To read more about Billy and his battle to live or to donate to his medical treatment you can visit: https://www.purethoughtshorserescue.com/miraclesaveteamhorse/billy.php
The Triumph Project – Victoria McCullough of the Davis-McCullough Foundation founded the Triumph Project as an awareness campaign to enlighten the world through unified efforts, both in the United States as well as abroad, of the betrayal of our equine ally. Throughout history, horses have served us by escorting us to battle, tilling our fields, drawing our carriages, and enriching our lives as our companions and friends.
Billy stands for x-rays to insure that the infection has not
gone into the bone.
Pure Thoughts Inc. - is an all-volunteer 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving the lives of horses, yearlings and foals that were intended to go to slaughter for human consumption. These horses would have been brutally tortured and slaughtered. Pure Thoughts Inc. Horse & Foal Rescue also rescues horses from starvation, abuse and neglect, any horse in need. To date, over 1150 innocent equines have been saved and we will continue to fight for the horses. We cannot do this alone...we need your help!! Please help us and others save these beautiful animals and please remember in your thoughts the ones we were unable to reach.
Jennifer Swanson
Pure Thoughts Inc.
Horse & Foal Rescue
www.PTHR.org
19181 Capet Creek
Loxahatchee, FL 33470
Saving the life of a horse may not change the world...........
........but it will change that horse's world.

The Canadian Horse Defense Coalition knows that horses face great risks when they are sold through rural auctions. For example, almost all horses that are sold at the Ontario Livestock Exchange, or OLEX, are purchased by kill buyers who ship them to slaughter.

Please see our latest Auction Alert to read:

- The story of Charlie, a blind pony saved from the OLEX auction

- Download our auction flyer to print and distribute

- A list of Canadian auctions and upcoming auction dates

- Who to call to help horses in distress at auctions and during transportation

http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/info.php?id=20080828 

Please pass this along to your contacts too - it's important for people to know that auctions are the last place you want to take your horse!

For the horses, 

Shelley Grainger

Hi Folks, 

I am delighted that Texas Horse Talk has just published my latest article.  This one concerns the USA Today op-ed by Dr. Strange called Homeless on the Range. I am told that it will probably soon appear in New Zealand Horse Talk as well (under a different headline).  I hope you find it informative and useful in this ongoing battle to get the truth of horse slaughter to the American public. It is fascinating what a little research can uncover. Please feel free to put it on your web sites if you wish.  The more the USA Today hears about it, the better.

You will find my article on the right side of the following page under National Newspaper Slaughters Facts. 

http://www.texashorsetalk.com/breakingnews.htm 

On the brighter side, I hope everyone understands the significance of Barack Obama picking Senator Joe Biden for his VP position.  This means that all three of the nominees so far (McCain, Obama and Biden) are cosponsors of the AHSPA and supporters of abolishing horse slaughter!  The power of the executive office cannot be over stated. 

I am also pasting the announcement about the Wild Horse and Burro Summit.  Please support this effort in any way you can. 

John Holland

I was surprised to see an AQHA email (the QHN Insider weekly) in my inbox today.  I cancelled my membership and wrote several emails to the higher ups of the AQHA board of directors on why I chose to cancel a membership when my family has been members for more than 50 years!!!   All because of their stance on slaughter (if they thought this was going to win me back…boy were they wrong!)…anyway, I thought I would share some interesting info from the email.  I have highlighted some of my favorite spots.  By the way…I love the definition of Livestock that they have…doesn’t that make dogs and cats livestock???  Dogs are for use and pleasure (ask anyone that owns a seeing eye dog or officer that is part of a dog unit if they aren’t of use!)

“Companion Horse Update

The passing of HR 503, which enacted a ban on horse slaughter in the United States, has further fueled efforts to have horses legally reclassified as companion animals, instead of livestock. The reported reasons for the proposed change include the belief that it would further prevent the use of horses for human consumption and the opinion that horses are akin in their relationship to humans to other domesticated animals such as dogs and cats. Both the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are organizations behind this effort. 

There is nothing equivalent to an animal
shelter that exists for unwanted horses

Livestock, by definition, are animals kept or raised for use or pleasure. Horses have, traditionally and legally, long been considered livestock in the United States, since they are raised and kept on a farm or ranch and are often used in commercial enterprises. According to American Horse Council statistics, the horse industry represents a major U.S. agri-business that makes a significant contribution to the economic well-being of the entire country. The industry has a $112-billion impact on the U.S. economy, generates 1,404,400 full-time equivalent jobs, and pays $1.9 billion in taxes to all levels of government.

Click here to see the full story, or see the Aug. 15 issue of Quarter Horse News.”

****And there was this wonderful article (by a trainer) saying that we shouldn’t geld stallions that are of lesser quality because they could be sold to other countries for more money (isn’t that still ruining the breed standards nationwide?????”

“Featured Article

The Right Option?

For many horse owners, the thought of permanently deleting their stallion's reproductive chances is a dreaded one indeed. For trainers, the idea might not seem so bad.

"I love riding geldings," said NRHA Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani. "I think they're the best show horses. But for me, as a trainer, it's still hard to convince owners to geld."

Fappani prefers a gelding, but that doesn't mean he believes the operation is best for all stallions that fall short of expectations. Naturally, he'd leave a great, cooperative-minded stallion a stallion. Likewise, Fappani would suggest gelding the very talented stallion that can't seem to keep his mind on business. But for the stallion with average ability and a wandering mind, Fappani does not believe gelding is always the right step to take.

"When we have a stallion where we're not sure if he'll turn out, we always leave it a stud because if we need to sell him, he's going to be easier to market as a stud," he said. "A great gelding, you're going to get great money for him. A good gelding, it's going to bring way less than a good stud."

Fappani pointed out that there is a strong foreign market for reining horses, and many of those potential buyers won't consider geldings.

"They want studs," Fappani said. "The countries where they're just starting out, they're looking for studs because they're trying to start a breeding business."

The key, Fappani concluded, is to not get in a hurry and to think about the future marketability of the horse. Ask yourself if the stallion would make a great gelding or an average gelding, then make your decision accordingly.

"I try to always look at it with an eye to the future," Fappani said. "You can't look at just for today. If gelding makes the horse a better show horse today but then you can't sell it, then it's not good for the customer."”

Fw: [AC4HEquineWelfare] Fw:   E-mail-A-Friend: Farm Bureau expresses

Posted by: "Horse Helping" horsehelping@gmail.com   eaglewhowatches

Sat Aug 16, 2008 10:11 am (PDT)

----- Original Message -----
From: Christy Sheidy
To: AC4HEquineWelfare@yahoogroups.com ; anotherchance4horses@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2008 6:56 AM
Subject: [AC4HEquineWelfare] Fw: E-mail-A-Friend: Farm Bureau expresses serious concern on equine issues
Friends,if you manually type in the link below here and read the FULL ARTICLE from the Farm Bureau about all our "unwanted horses". They are searching hard for any "rumourous stories" that they can get their hands on to fuel their reasoning for opposing HR 6598 . They LIST AN EMAIL ADDY to send all your"UNWANTED horse stories" to.Let's give these pro-slaughter people some WANTED HORSE STORIES INSTEAD!There is also a place at bottom of the article to post a comment there(if u have time to). We stand STRONG TOGETHER! Charise
Story:
Farm Bureau expresses serious concern on equine issues
BOZMEN, Mont. - The Montana Farm Bureau Federation is expressing serious concern about a bill introduced by Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., that would make it a federal criminal offense to knowingly move, sell, purchase or transport a horse for human consumption. That bill was introduced via the House Judiciary Committee's Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee last week.
"Although it's called the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, it would actually work against the welfare of horses in the U.S.," Bob Hanson, vice president of MFBF, said in a press release this week. "For many horse owners, taking a horse to an auction is the only recourse, and many times you don't know where that horse will end up. Why should anyone who transports or sells horses for what is considered "human consumption" be punished? We first need to address the growing problem of abandoned horses before causing more unintended consequences by further restr...
For more of this story,type manually into browser:
http://www.agweekly.com/articles/2008/08/06/country_life/equestrian/equine09.txt

FW: [tbindustrymonitor] Please post far and wide . . .

Posted by: "Bonnie Oliver" friesians2@casinternet.net   friesians2

Thu Aug 14, 2008 5:39 pm (PDT)

The Animal Law Coalition website has details and direct quotes from the
recent Congressional hearing to pass the bills to stop the transport of
horses for slaughter.
http://www.animalla
<http://www.animallawcoalition.com/horse-slaughter/article/567>
wcoalition.com/horse-slaughter/article/567
Let as many as possible read the testimony that unequivocably
discredits all of the AAEP claims.
Please post and cross post the above. Thank you!!

Unwanted Horse Coalition

Posted by: "Beth (:" fatoldfarmwife@verizon.net   bethofneer

Wed Aug 13, 2008 7:42 am (PDT)
From: Lucille Matte
Date: 8/13/2008 12:29:57 AM
To: mortgagematte@earthlink.net
Subject: Fw: Unwanted Horse Coalition
Please forward to your contacts. (sorry if this is a duplicate but I had
computer problems and the message did not show up in my sent box)
If you are a victim of the Unwanted Horse Coalition please speak up and let
congress know. Many organizations joined the Unwanted Horse Coalition
thinking the organization wanted to "help" the less fortunate horses in
America when in fact they used underhanded tactics to rein you in and use
you in their scare tactics to keep horse slaughter legal.
Please contact the members of the of the Judiciary Committee that will be
considering Dr. Corey's testimony when voting for HR 6598 in committee. Don
t let your organization be a victim of the pro slaughter underhanded crap.
Please go here to contact the Judiciary Committee http://judiciary.house
gov/about/members.html
http://www.wildhorserescue.org/
The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act - H.R.503 was voted on and
passed by the House of Representatives in 2006. In 2007 it received more
support than ever even in the Senate. We're getting closer to a positive
landslide.
2009 could be our year. Do Not Give Up
Public letter to Dr. Douglas Corey, past president of American Assoc. of
Equine Practitioners, August 3, 2008
Dear Dr. Corey:
You recently included the list of Unwanted Horse Coalition members in your
testimony to the Judiciary Committee at the hearing of HR 6598 the
Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act.
Your testimony clearly is against support of the act. The listing of
members at the end of his testimony will undoubtedly be construed as
constituents of yours who are also against the act which would give your
position more punch.
I realize that you never actually state that the coalition as a whole, or
members individually, agree or disagree with your position on HR 6598, but
the mere inclusion of members in your testimony will automatically be
interpreted as an alignment.
I, as president of Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue, am vehemently opposed to
horse slaughter for human consumption or any other purpose and do support HR
6598, personally and on behalf of my organization.
Lifesavers has been a strong supporter of anti-horse slaughter legislation.
Since our incorporation in 1997, we have been fighting passionately to end
this cruel industry.
I joined UHC because I understood that horse slaughter, whether members were
for or against, was not an open issue or any aspect of the UHC's mission. I
understood the UHC to be about concerned equine organizations and
associations coming together to find solutions for the unwanted horse crisis
Had I known my organization and good name would be used in such an
underhanded fashion to make it look as though all the UHC members were
behind your testimony I certainly would never have joined the UHC, nor would
I ever have referred anyone or suggested that anyone else join the UHC.
I do now believe it is just a front for pro-slaughter individuals,
associations and organizations to rally support from horse enthusiasts who
may not be aware of the true agenda.
I am livid, and have asked the UHC to remove Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue
from the member listing.
I request that you formally submit a document to the Judiciary Committee in
reference to your testimony that excludes Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue as
an UHC member and make it clear that we do not support your stance against
HR 6598.
Sincerely,
Jill Starr
President
Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue
Happy Horse Academy
Born To Be Wild Sanctuary
Lucille Matte
Mortgages Direct
2000 Bering Drive, Suite 100
Houston, TX 77057
(713)860-1218 office
(713)459-9202 cell
Please call for fax number.
Please visit my website www.mortgagematte.com
"A Horse that is slaughtered has NO chance of being rescued, a Horse in a
field does."
Please help stop horse slaughter in the U.S.A.
https://community.hsus.org/campaign/FED_2007_horse_slaughter

New Hope For Horses
Call-In Day July 30, 2008

 H.R. 6598, the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008, was just introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and the horses need YOUR VOICE to help pass this bill and protect them from the cruelty of slaughter.
H.R. 6598, the Prevention of Equine Cruelty, is similar to H.R. 503 by prohibiting the knowing and intentional possession, shipping, transporting, purchasing, selling, delivering or receiving of a horse for slaughter. However, H.R. 6598 takes a simpler approach, prohibiting horse slaughter under the U.S. Code that addresses certain aspects of animal cruelty and abuse (known as “Title 18”). It creates a strong enforcement mechanism to prevent killer buyers from crossing the border with truckloads of horses, but only amends Title 18.
Please contact your U.S. Representative and ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 6598, the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008. There is a Congressional Hearing on Thursday, July 31, so it’s essential to call Congress on July 30th!
Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your Representative’s office.  When contacting your U.S. Representative, it’s important to remember to be polite and respectful.
Here is a suggested script for conveying all of the necessary points to the legislative staffer:
"Hello, my name is [your name] and I live in [your town]. As a constituent, I'm calling to urge my Representative to co-sponsor a new important bill: H.R. 6598, the Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, to prevent horses from being cruelly slaughtered for human consumption.”
Thank you for all you’re doing to end horse slaughter!  Together we can end this cruel and inhumane practice!

Thanks for helping the horses.
Americans Against Horse Slaughter
"Spread The Word - Join The Movement"

http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2008/07/099.shtml

Comment: The horse slaughter gang that can't shoot straight

July 24, 2008

by John Holland, Senior Analyst AAHS

This week a press release from a previously unknown group calling itself the "Horse Welfare Committee" (www.horsewelfarecommittee.com) declared that it was going to perform research to determine just how bad the situation is for "unwanted horses". Atypically, the release had no contact person and offered only a website. Soon my inbox was full of questions about this new group.

I have long wished that we had better data available on a national level concerning equine abuse and neglect, so naturally the release tweaked my interest. But the announcement was vaguely reminiscent of a similar group that appeared some years earlier calling itself "CommonHorseSense.com". The beautifully designed web site of that group featured photos of running horses and claimed to have the mission of promoting horse welfare.

But from the beginning Common Horse Sense appeared to be heavily biased toward reinforcing the "unwanted horse" excuse of the horse slaughter industry. I remember chuckling at a post on an anti-slaughter board the day the site came on line. The post read "This site has the aroma of a slaughterhouse at low tide." Somehow the mangled metaphor was dead on.

By the end of the day someone had run a registration check on the site and found the site was owned by the attorney for the BelTex slaughter plant in Texas. Thereafter, whenever the site was used as a pro-slaughter reference the unfortunate fact of its ownership would soon be mentioned. This made the site's noble mission of promoting horse welfare through slaughter all the more difficult.

The message of the site was further besmirched when anti-slaughter activists launched a site with the name CommonHorseSense.net. The sibling site callously countered the original site's message with facts and an even more beautiful appearance. A few months ago the CommonHorseSense.com site suddenly disappeared.

Still, there was always the possibility that the new organization might do something useful, so I emailed them asking what methodology they intended to use in their research. I also sent them a copy of our most recent study on slaughter and abuse trends. I promptly received a courteous response saying that they intended to do real, documented research, but it went on to say that "Those of us entrenched daily in the horse industry are seeing first-hand the ripple effects of the slaughter ban (and, yes, the troubled economy) on a daily basis."

The most worrisome thing was that the email was signed only "The Horse Welfare Committee". Clearly the respondent was not interested in identifying himself or herself, and I thought I might be detecting a familiar odor.

The next whiff came almost immediately when the press release appeared in the TSCRA Daily News. The TSCRA or Texas Southwest Cattle Raiser's Association most certainly has a dog in the fight when it comes to horse slaughter. By state law, the TSCRA used to be paid $3 for every horse slaughtered in Texas.

The money the TSCRA received was ostensibly to perform brand inspections aimed at detecting stolen horses. That function might have been more demonstrably vital had they ever actually detected a stolen horse before it was slaughtered. The payments, intended to protect horses from theft, instead had the affect of making the TSCRA a loyal ally of the horse slaughter plants. Any reporter looking for a quote from "the other side" of the horse slaughter issue could always count on the TSCRA for a gem or two of horse slaughter wisdom.

So my next step was a visit to the Horse Welfare Committee web site where I found the same shy disposition as exhibited in the original press release and the email I had received. There was no "Who we are" tab to be found, nor any names of the owners.

Of course, my next move was to check the site's registration. Clearly the designers had learned their lesson from the debacle of the CommonHorseSense site. They had registered the site through a proxy service, making tracing its ownership nearly impossible. But unfortunately, the web designer had shot himself in one foot, reloaded and skillfully picked off the good foot.

The text of the tab in my browser did not read "Horse Welfare Committee", but "Faces of Agriculture". The website's author had forgotten to change the text from an earlier design. A further check of the link properties showed that the site had been constructed using Dream Weaver and it contained "faces of ag" in the source path.

And what is "Faces of Agriculture"? The site belongs to an agriculture radio program featuring Trent Loos. Trent is a factory farmer's factory farmer, and dresses for his part with a handlebar mustache and a black cowboy hat. He touts himself as a "sixth generation" rancher. Indeed, in 1999 Loos was involved with the massive Bell Farms 50,000 hog factory farm built on the lands of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.

Unfortunately, the tribe felt they had been forced into the deal and did not want the pig farm. A tribal spokesperson said "These are the kinds of people who can pick up a phone and get a senator to use his power to force a stinking pig factory on our people." The tribe sued, eventually evicting the aromatic, sprawling farm and its picturesque lagoons of pig poop.

Loos' porcine background might explain much of the lingering olfactory sensation experienced by visitors to the new Horse Welfare Committee web site. But the new site is anything but Trent's first attempt to support horse slaughter.

Within the anti-slaughter community, Trent is probably best known for his inspired demonstration of the unwanted horse theory. For several months, Trent had bragged on his radio program that if the Illinois legislature brought an anti-slaughter bill up for a vote, he would deliver a truckload of unwanted horses to the capital steps.

When the day came, Trent kept his promise, delivering a load of toy stick horses which he passed out to some inner city children touring the capital. But the day was not to be Trent's. The bill passed easily and many of the children returned their horses when they learned that Trent was for horse slaughter. Nevertheless, aided by his well waxed mustache and his years at the pig factory, Trent kept a stiff upper lip.

Trent has gone on to demonstrate he is a man of many talents. In his book Crimes Against Nature, the environmentalist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. recounts being stalked by Trent Loos (including into a men's room) as he toured on his lecture circuit. I had the opportunity to ask Trent about that as a substitute guest on his radio program "Rural Route" some years ago.

Trent was proposing a plan to make mustangs big game animals and to sell permits to "harvest" them. The original guest had been Gail Vacca. As I recall, Gail had a severe cold which had turned into laryngitis when she was told the topic and fell into uncontrollable convulsions of laughter and coughing. I suppose if we had known the BLM would eventually propose euthanizing the mustangs we might not have found Trent's plan so humorous. Clearly it is a mistake to underestimate our government's laser like propensity for doing the wrong thing.

Still, I jumped at the opportunity to ask Trent (on the air) if Kennedy's charges that he was a stalker and "cattle rustler" were true. Trent said he had only been following Kennedy to force him to tell the truth, and then admitted that he (Trent) had indeed once pled "no contest" to cattle fraud.

The next time I am on Trent's program, I hope to ask him how his research is going and what he did with all the stick horses. There were rumors on the anti-slaughter boards that he had them slaughtered for tooth picks. Unfortunately I must have missed his call as I have not yet been invited back to his program. Meanwhile I will eagerly await the results of his "research". I expect we will see a lagoon full of it before long.

And the next time I am in Washington, I intend to ask Senator Larry Craig why he is risking his reputation as a "straight shooter" by doing the bidding of this gang and blocking the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. I am hopeful the good Senator will reconsider his position and take a wider stance on the issue.

John Holland is a freelance writer and the author of three books. He frequently writes on the subject of horse slaughter from his small farm in the mountains of Virginia, where he lives with his wife, Sheilah, and their 12 equines. Holland serves as senior analyst for Americans Against Horse Slaughter, an organization composed entirely of volunteers.

Best regards,
Cheryl Hanna
Fundraising and Publicity
Another Chance 4 Horses, Inc
www.ac4h.com

American Horse Council & USDA Holds Disingenuous Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Animal Welfare Institute and National Black Farmers Association Call for Balanced Debate on Horse Slaughter IssueAmerican Horse Council and USDA Holds Disingenuous Conferenceon “Unwanted Horse Issue”

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 18, 2008) – Today, The American Horse Council (AHC) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) held a conference entitled “The Unwanted Horse Issue: What Now?”Despite constant assurances from USDA organizers that this event would have nothing to do with horse slaughter the meeting turned out to be exactly what the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) had anticipated from the start; a platform for a stacked panel of pro-slaughter representatives to further promote the practice of horse slaughter under the guise of talking about the “unwanted horse” population. “Having the United States Department of Agriculture endorse an event like this really is a shame. What we need is a truly balanced debate that addresses sound, humane solutions to horse welfare issues. Unfortunately it seems like today’s intentions lie less with the interests of the horses and more with the interest of profit,” said Chris Heyde, deputy director of government and legal affairs for AWI.What can only be described as a largely one-sided event, proponents of horse slaughter once again used their “unwanted horse” campaign as a way to perpetuate the idea t hat horse slaughter is a necessary evil without which horses will be subjected to mass neglect or abandonment. During the forum, slaughter proponents offered no solutions or options on how to fix the problem of unwanted horses, but continuously insisted that slaughtering is a humane way of dealing with surplus horses.What they failed to mention about their supposedly humane solution are the thousands of miles that horses are made to travel without rest, food, or water, in cramped double deck trailers on their way to the slaughter house and the brutal way in which they are killed. “I came to attend an open forum about caring for horses, and all I heard about is that horses are personal property that can and should be slaughtered if the owners of this property want to do so,” said Dr. John Boyd, President of The National Black Farmers Association (NBFA). “When I tried to inform the audience of our recently announced initiative with AWI, “Project Wanted Horse”, which w ill help care for America’s horses in need, I was immediately shot down. I thought this was a forum to discuss solutions, not squash ideas.”In the ultimate act of hypocrisy, the event included a keynote address by former Congressman and current horse meat industry lobbyist Charlie Stenholm announcing a systematic effort to go to county and state associations and legislatures with their campaign in support of horse slaughter. If he can’t mislead the Congress and the American public on the issue he will try on another level.“It is hard to believe that the USDA and The American Horse Council really expect a “balanced” debate from an industry paid lobbyist. It seems like once again, special interests and profits are being put before welfare,” noted Heyde.  
CONTACT:Chris Heyde, (703) 836-4300
For over 57 years the Animal Welfare Institute has been the leading voice for animals across the country and on Capitol Hill to reduce the sum total of pain and fear inflicted on animals by humans. To learn more about us, please visit www.awionline.org.
The National Black Farmers Association was founded in 1995. Today the NBFA has more than 94,000 members. For more information, please visit our Web site at: www.blackfarmers.org.

HOW MANY HORSES MUST DIE BEFORE CONGRESS ACTS?
<http://www.everyfiveminutes.org/>
 Click on ?STOP THE SLAUGHTER? to find out how many American horses have been slaughtered
 so far this year and learn how you can take action to stop this cruelty.
Since 2001, when the Animal Welfare Institute began the national campaign to end horse slaughter for human consumption, hundreds of thousands of horses have been brutally killed and their meat sold overseas to be served to the patrons of upscale restaurants in Europe and Asia. Americans have spoken out against the cruelty and horse slaughter no longer occurs on US soil ? but tens of thousands of American horses are still slaughtered every year in Canada and Mexico and they want to reopen in the US.
 Click on the above link to access the American Horse Slaughter Clock, which actively counts the number of American horses being brutally slaughtered by knife and gun in Mexican and Canadian slaughterhouses. Be sure to bookmark this page, share it with friends, family and colleagues, and check back for the most recent number of deaths as a result of Congressional inaction ? and to find out how you can help.
 As we continue our fight to end this tragedy through passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA), which would end the trade for good, we must remember that one American horse is slaughtered every 5 minutes as the bill languishes in the Congress. It is only a small handful of legislators who are obstructing the bill?s final passage, which would put an immediate end to a form of animal cruelty that is easily preventable. These legislators are doing so at the behest of the horse slaughterhouses that publicly advocate horse slaughter as a humane form of horse population control but ultimately stand to profit from the cruel trade.
 There is no excuse for why this measure has not swiftly moved through Congress. Co-sponsorship of the AHSPA shows strong bipartisan support, as do the four overwhelming floor votes in favor of ending slaughter through temporary appropriations amendments. Public support for this bill comes from an unequalled coalition of organizations, including the humane and equine rescue communities, the horse industry, veterinarians and celebrities. The campaign to end horse slaughter has also exposed what is wrong with our political system. How is it that two or three members of Congress have the absolute authority to obstruct the democratic process, despite overwhelming support for such an important piece of legislation?
Yet we can still make a difference. The American people are being heard through the overwhelming number of calls, emails and faxes that have flooded Congress in support of this issue. The majority of legislators are listening. Now we must redouble our efforts. Please share the American Horse Slaughter Clock and this AWI eAlert with friends, family, coworkers and your legislators. It is imperative that the public be heard on this issue. While support so far has been overwhelming, we can do even better for the horses.
AWI will not stop its campaign on behalf of America's horses until the clock reads ?Zero."
 To show our unanimity on behalf of America's horses please add the above image with this linkhttp://www.everyfiveminutes.org<http://www.everyfiveminutes.org/>?to your websites, Facebook and Myspace pages, emails and anywhere else you can to help spread the word.
********************
 Christopher J.?Heyde
Deputy Director, Government and Legal Affairs
 Animal Welfare Institute?
PO Box 3650
 Washington, DC? 20027
 Tel:? (703)?836-4300 ~ Fax: (888) 260-2271
 www.awionline.org<http://www.awionline.org/>
 www.compassionindex.org<http://www.compassionindex.org/>
 For over 57 years, AWI has been the leading voice for animals across the country and on Capitol Hill.? Please join us in our ongoing campaigns to reduce the sum total of pain and fear inflicted on animals by humans. Sign up for AWI eAlerts to receive the latest news on what you can do to help us protect all animals:?http://www.awionline.org/joinus<http://www.awionline.org/joinus>.

Report's up on Nickerson's feedlot.

Posted by: "equihands" kate.richardson@gmail.com   equihands

Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:45 pm (PDT)

http://www.kaufmanzoning.net/horsemeat/AAInvestigationNickersonFeedlot.pdf

you need not look far for a killbuyer

Posted by: "martinmaryd@comcast.net" martinmaryd@comcast.net   wyattcactus

Thu Jul 10, 2008 12:38 pm (PDT)

The option of sending your horse to slaughter is alive and well in the U.S. - and I have a list from the USDA (received under the freedom of information act) of local - yes, i said LOCAL kill buyers in Ma and NH.
--
Mary D. Martin - MA Rep/Director NEER
www.newenglandequinerescues.com
" We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~ Kant

Re: you need not look far for a killbuyer

Posted by: "martinmaryd@comcast.net" martinmaryd@comcast.net   wyattcactus

Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:11 pm (PDT)

Kill buyers who collect them up till they get a full load to direct ship..
FOIA listed for ME, NH, MA, NY, ETC..
It is demand for horse flesh abroad - not unwanted horses that feed the pipeline...
they do not want skinny old horses for obvious reasons.. and they are less $ on the hoof
they want tender young flesh .
there is an actual plant document on kaufmanzoning.net that lists the plants prices to KB's and an area where KB's were charged 50.00 to leave a too skinny horse.
--
Mary D. Martin - MA Rep/Director NEER
www.newenglandequinerescues.com
" We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~ Kant

Hi Folks,

There is a great deal going on and much of it is encouraging, however some other trends are very worrisome.   It appears to me that there is a concerted effort to get rid of the mustangs before the Bush administration ends.  They know that either Obama or McCain will be less likely to let it continue.   I will pass along more information on that soon. 

Here are some recent articles covering many aspects of what is happening. This is all on our side. The bad guys are also very active right now, so the battle is heating up.

John Holland

 Transcript: Talkin' Horses with Welfare Advocate Alex Brown
TheHorse.com - Lexington,KY,USA
I follow your battle to end horse slaughter and certainly appreciate your dedication to such an important cause! My question: Do you think Barbaro's ...
... 

 Slaughtering the facts about horse slaughter John Holland
Hillsboro Times Gazette - Hillsboro,OH,USA
As a writer and horse lover, I belong to a small group that monitors stories on horse slaughter and tries to get such stories corrected. ...

... 

 Ed Whitfield, Equestrian Hero
U.S. News & World Report - Washington,DC,USA
Before he took up the cause of thoroughbred racing reform, he led the so-far unsuccessful move to ban horse slaughter in the United States. ...

Suffolk downs begins zero tolerance slaughter policy

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2008/june/27/suffolk-downs-begins-zero-tolerance-slaughter-policy.aspx

Thoroughbred Times

by Steve Myrick

Suffolk Downs has established a new policy holding trainers accountable when their horses are sold for slaughter...

Oppose a pro-horse slaughter resolution!

Posted by: "Kim York" angelremi@comcast.net   grovelandaco

Tue Jun 24, 2008 2:08 pm (PDT)

Dear Friend,
Don't let America's former racehorses, work horses, and
companion horses end up at a slaughterhouse, where they are
painfully killed and their meat is sent overseas for human
consumption.
I hope you will join me and urge your state legislators to
oppose the pro-horse slaughter resolution at the National
Conference of State Legislatures annual meeting. It will only
take a minute. Here is the link:
https://community.hsus.org/campaign/NCSL_2008_horse_slaughter?rk=xpNoauMqrhDvW
******************************
This email is Powered by Convio, Inc.
http://www.convio.com

--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <sandra@spaymart.org>
To: "Sandra" <sandra@spaymart.org>
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:59:39 -0500
Subject: CANADA - ALERT - Fw: Horse Slaughter Investigation Feb. to May 2008

Please send to any Canadian contacts you might have.  Thanks.

-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Gordon [mailto:veganvirago@comcast.net]
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 5:28 PM
To: Susan Gordon
Subject: Alert! Horse Slaughter Investigation Feb. to May 2008

---- Original Message -----

From: Sinikka Crosland sinikka@defendhorsescanada.org

Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 5:17 PM

Subject: Alert! Horse Slaughter Investigation Feb. to May 2008

Horse Slaughter Investigation Feb to May 2008

Natural Valley Farms Investigation

This investigation of Natural Valley Farms, Neudorf, Sasketchewan, has been conducted for over half a year. The various documentations of the investigation are outlined on http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/info.php?id=Ihsinv08.inc . (Please be warned that the content is very graphic.)

Available now:

The full-report Black Beauty Betrayed in pdf format

Two slideshows with commentary revealing conditions at the slaughter house, February and April 2008

A powerpoint presentation with downloadable video (you do not require powerpoint to view this, but you do need to run the 30M file on windows 95 or higher)

The html version of the above presentation

Earlier footage

A link to CBC's The National story No Country for Horses archived till June 11, 2009.

Take a virtual tour of a Canadian slaughter plant that butchers horses....and take action as a citizen!

Canadian Horse Defense Coalition

P.O. Box 26097

Westbank, B.C.

V4T 2G3

Ph/fax: 250-768-4803

info@defendhorsescanada.org

AWI Press Release - Project Wanted Horse

Posted by: "martinmaryd@comcast.net" martinmaryd@comcast.net   wyattcactus

Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:21 pm (PDT)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Animal Welfare Institute and National Black Farmers Association Launch “Project
Wanted Horse”
Partnership Disproves Slaughter Industry’s “Unwanted” Horse Theory
Washington, D.C. (June 17, 2008) – The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and the
National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) today launched a national partnership
to help American horses in need by finding them homes on farms operated by NBFA
members. The announcement of the “Project Wanted Horse” partnership comes as
the US Congress considers the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (S. 311/
H.R. 503), working to disprove bill opponents’ arguments that the campaign to
end horse slaughter has resulted in a glut of unwanted horses in the United
States – and that slaughter is therefore necessary. “One of the horse slaughter
industry’s main arguments is that there are no homes for these animals,” said
Chris Heyde, deputy director of government and legal affairs for AWI. “The
coming together of our national organizations sends a significant message that these horses are valued and
wanted.” “Project Wanted Horse” will ensure that horses rescued by equine
protection organizations, from the slaughter pipeline, or from an abusive
situation are placed on farms operated by NBFA’s 94,000 members across the
country. AWI will oversee the placement of horses with NBFA members. Each placed
animal will be accompanied by a legally binding contract, ensuring quality
lifetime care and that they will not be resold only to end up on the path to
slaughter. While horse slaughter no longer occurs in the United States, in 2007,
more than 100,000 American horses were exported to Canada and Mexico, where they
were killed, processed and exported for human consumption in Europe and Asia.
Each year, thousands of horses are purchased at auction by killer-buyers, stolen
from farms and acquired illegally. Across the border, they are often slaughtered
using barbaric practices that are illegal in the United States, such as shooting
and stabbing. “Having seen the recent HBO ‘Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel’ segment on
horse slaughtering, I had no choice but to act,” said Dr. John Boyd, NBFA
founder and president. “Horse slaughter, in all circumstances, is a violent,
brutal process. Horses play an important role in our members’ lives, not just
because of their role on the farm, but because they are often part of our
families. By joining with the Animal Welfare Institute, we hope to end the
transportation and brutal killing of these animals for human consumption.” The
American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (S. 311/ H.R. 503), pending in both
chambers of Congress, would outlaw the transportation of horses either
domestically or internationally for slaughter. The legislation is sponsored by
Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and John Ensign (R-NV), as well as Representatives
Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), John Spratt (D-SC), Nick Rahall (D-WV) and Ed Whitfield
(R-KY). S. 311 has 38 cosponsors in the Senate, including Senator Barack Obama
(D-IL) and Senator John McCain (R-AZ), while H.R. 503 has 204 cosponsors in the House. Dr. Boyd will be
in Washington, D.C. on June 18 and is available for media interviews. For
scheduling, please call Chris Heyde at 703-836-4300 (office) or 202-423-8689
(cell).
# # # #
For more than 57 years, the Animal Welfare Institute has been the leading voice
for animals across the country and on Capitol Hill to reduce the sum total of
pain and fear inflicted on animals by humans. Find out more at:
www.awionline.org.
The National Black Farmers Association was founded in 1995. Today the NBFA has
more than 94,000 members. For more information, please visit our Web site at:
www.blackfarmers.org.
--
Mary D. Martin
www.newenglandequinerescues.com
" The only way to stop excessive breeding is to take away the financial incentive that slaughter provides" - John Holland

Court rejects appeal on Ill. horse slaughter ban

2 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has declined an appeal from the owners of a horse slaughtering plant who challenged an Illinois law prohibiting the killing of horses for human consumption.

Cavel International Inc. closed its plant in DeKalb, Ill., last year after a federal appeals court upheld the ban. The company urged the justices to step in to allow the facility to reopen. The court did not comment on its order Monday.

The plant was the last horse slaughterhouse in the United States. About 40,000 to 60,000 horses were there annually, and most of the meat was shipped to be eaten by diners overseas.

Two other U.S. plants, both in Texas, also closed in 2007.

The case is Cavel International, Inc., v. Madigan, 07-962.

If you are unable to view this press release please click here:  http://www.awionline.org/news/2008/supreme_court_cavel_denied.htm

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

Supreme Court of the United States Denies Appeal on Illinois Horse Slaughter Ban 

Washington, D.C.  (June 16, 2008) – The repeated attempts by Illinois-based Cavel International, Inc. to continue slaughtering horses in the face of a state ban on the practice and the will of the people of Illinois were quashed for a final time today, when the Supreme Court of the United States denied the slaughterhouse’s petition for certiorari. 

On January 18, 2008, Cavel had appealed the earlier decision by the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, which upheld the decision by the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois to reaffirm the constitutionality of an Illinois law preventing the slaughter of horses for human consumption.  

“We are relieved and elated that the Supreme Court has decided this case does not warrant additional review,” said Tracy Silverman, general counsel for the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI).  “We thank the Illinois attorney general’s office for its efforts arguing to uphold the state law preventing the slaughter of horses for human consumption.” 

The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503/S. 311), a federal bill to ban horse slaughter in the United States and the transport of horses abroad for the same purpose, is pending in the US Congress.  Its enactment is now essential to ensure horses who would have been sent to Cavel are not exported for slaughter in Canada or Mexico.

 “While we don’t expect companies such as Cavel to stop trying to manipulate the legal and political systems, we hope other pro-horse slaughter organizations will now work with us to protect America’s horses from this cruel and predatory industry,” said Chris Heyde, AWI’s deputy director of government and legal affairs.  “The American public has made clear its desire to close this industry down, and AWI is proud to be leading the charge to pass the urgently needed federal law to ban horse slaughter.”

The renowned law firm of Patton Boggs is representing AWI in this case.

Hi Folks,

I have never put out an alert where so much news piled up so quickly, and much of it is good.   All of this is important, so please do not read anything into the order. I will start with the news. 

The great Memorial Day Rescue

By now most of you have heard about the incredible "Memorial Day Rescue" that saved every horse at Sugar Creek (162 of them). That story is now coming out, but from talking with Victoria (who funded it) and with Jen and Laura of Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue, I think there is much more of this fascinating story still to be told.  For now here are some links on that story: 

http://phelpsmediagroup.com/viewarticle.php?id=3576

The plight of our mustangs

The LA Times has just run a great article on what is being done to the mustangs by our good friend Deanne Stillman.   

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-stillman2-2008jun02,0,6121393.story 

The "unwanted horse" issue

Alex Brown has published an excellent paper on his proposals on this hot button issue.  

http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/features/horseslaughter-152.shtml

http://therail.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/unwanted-horses-yes-and-no/

The Shelby Feedlot exposed by Animal Angels

Animal Angels has done it again.   This time they have given us an unvarnished view of the mammoth horse feedlot at Shelby Montana.  My long time friend Julie Caramante assisted in this report and video.  It shows stallions breeding mares in the chaos, newborn foals and their mothers trying to cope, horses being loaded for slaughter, dead pits and all the other horrors of this death row factory.  It is heartbreaking but must be viewed.    

www.youtube.com/watch?v=80rhCLxW9XY 

I rarely ask people to support one organization over another because there are so many great and needy causes.  However, I can't think of any organization where such a high percentage of your contribution gets translated directly to action.  

Anti-slaughter movement growing internationally

One of the most telling moments in this campaign was when Jim Tucker, answering to a Dekalb Sanitary Board meeting to explain his plants blatant pollution, said "They just keep coming at us from all sides."  Yes we do, and yes we will!  If they thought they could hide across the borders, they are now finding new threats there.

Mexico

Lately we have been seeing anti-slaughter groups growing in Canada and Europe, but now we have Amigos in Mexico!   A growing movement there is trying to shame its government into addressing the barbarism of their horse slaughter industry. This is a most welcome development and we welcome them to our family. 

http://crueladadsanbernabe.blogspot.com/ 

Canada

I have been working with the incredible folks of the Canadian movement for some time and they have gotten a lot attention for the issue.  Now the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corp.) will air a long program on horse slaughter in Canada a week from Tuesday.  It was the result of an extensive investigation that included undercover work exposing the cruelty of the slaughter process in Canada.  They traveled to the US, and among other places they filmed Sugar Creek.  They came here in late Winter as well, and interviewed me and filmed Sara (rescued out of a New Holland kill pen by AC4H) and our other horses. They could not get over how friendly Sara was.  She (and now Amira) are wonderful ambassadors for their comrades trapped in the slaughter machine.  This may be the most important program since the HBO special.  It will be available on line and I will send around the link when it is. 

Political

As you know, we are blessed that the last three candidates left standing for President are cosponsors of S.311!   I cannot over emphasize the importance of the Presidency in stopping horse slaughter.  Congress passes laws (at least they used to) but the President runs things.  We learned that in spades when the USDA side stepped the Ensign / Byrd Amendment with their illegal pay-for-inspections program. 

Even within Congress there are leaders like the whips and majority leaders and key gate keepers like the chairs of the various committees.  Special interests use these gate keepers to block legislation.  For those of you who have been in this fight a few years, you know that Representative Bob Goodlatte blocked the AHSPA for four years as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.  In the last election the Republicans lost the majority control of the House and he lost his chairmanship, but make no mistake that he is still incredibly powerful behind the scenes as the ranking member. 

For many years there has been nobody running against Bob in the Virginia 6th District except for the occasional   independent.  Now Goodlatte has a young man with fire in his gut who is going to be on the Democratic side of that ticket in November.  I met Sam Rasoul when he first started his campaign for Goodlatte's seat.  I was impressed, but I decided to watch him in the primaries to see if he really intended to fight with the determination it would take to have a chance in that highly GOP weighted district.  I am amazed at his energy and determination.  In many ways he is running his campaign like Obama. If there was ever a chance of unseating Goodlatte, this is it. If he beats Goodlatte it will send shockwaves through the anti-horse lobby!

So if you ever wanted to send a message to Goodlatte and friends, send Sam a few bucks!  

http://www.samrasoul.us/

The Big Bend Ranch Burros

A story broke a while back about the wanton killing of wild burros in this part of the Texas Parks and Wildlife system.  It is a story of two high level Park Service executives going into the remote Big Bend Ranch park and shooting the wild burros secretly.  The claim is that they were trying to eliminate a "feral" species to introduce Long Horn Sheep, but I have received a copy of the Internal Affairs investigation and while it supposedly exonerates the managers, it is clearly a cover-up.  Email me if you want a copy. 

Here are some good summaries of the situation: 

Check out:
http://americanherds.blogspot.com/ (scroll down to bottom)
and
http://americanherds.blogspot.com/2007/12/big-bending-rules.html

Now they are taking a page out of the BLM book and claiming the burros will wreck the eco-system if allowed to stay.   They don't mention that the burros have been there for 100 years! 

There is a meeting scheduled in Bellair Texas on June 12th!  Please get as many people there as you can find and let them know our long eared friends deserve better. 

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20080407b 

Racing for Time

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

CAN MUSIC HELP SAVE AMERICAN HORSES?

Milwaukee , WI (6/2/08) --“RACING FOR TIME” SET TO

RELEASE June 2, 2008 in conjunction with the 140th

running of the Belmont Stakes.

WAMI award winning vocalist Ronnie Nyles and WAMI

Nominee songwriter/producer, Debra Lopez release

“Racing For Time”, in quest of raising public

awareness for the American Horse Slaughter Prevention

Act.

“Racing For Time”, tells the sad story of a racehorse

who loses his best friend to slaughter only because he

couldn't run fast enough to win races.  He quickly

realized with fear that he also may be running for his

life.

Each year hundreds of thousands of young, healthy

American horses are slaughtered and their meat is sent

overseas for human consumption when they are no longer

considered useful.

Although the last three remaining horse slaughter

facilities in the U.S. have recently been shut down,

American horses continue to be transported across our

borders to Mexico and Canada for slaughter. 

The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act  is

designed to end the slaughter of horses for human

consumption and the domestic and international

transport of live horses or horseflesh for human

consumption.  For more information on this subject, go

to www.americansagainsthorseslaughter.com

“Racing For Time” is available via download at

www.racingfortime.org and www.animalfairycharities.org

for .99 cents with all proceeds being donated to the

rescue and rehabilitation of thoroughbred horses.

Animal Fairy Charities, Inc, is a non profit 501c3

focusing on fostering national & international

prevention of cruelty to all animals and aiding in

their safety & welfare.

CONTACT:

Lori Charney

262-989-1345

info@animalfairycharities.org

Animal Law Coalition  Press Release

www.animallawcoalition.com · (435) 644-3333 · Fax (435) 644-3339

Contact for more information: Laura Allen, Executive Director, (435) 644-3333 or lauraallen@animallawcoalition.com

Study shows no increase in equine abuse following closure of horse slaughterhouses 

Kanab, Utah (June 2, 2008)  A nationwide study of equine abuse and neglect has recently been concluded by researchers working with the Animal Law Coalition.  The data was taken from the national on-line database of reported animal abuse cases at www.petabuse.com.     

The study tabulated the number of reported cases of equine abuse and neglect and the number of horses involved in those cases over a period starting in January of 2006 and ending in March of 2008. The goal of the study was to quantify the combined impact of the plant closings, the economic downturn and higher grain and hay prices in the past year. 

Researchers admit to being surprised by the results. The study found that while there had been some regional increases in the frequency of such cases, there had been other areas of the country where reductions more than offset the increases.  The conclusion was that on average the year of 2007 was no worse, and in fact slightly better than 2006.

(table removed for list purposes)

Joyce Jacobson, the researcher who first proposed the study, said “The results were so surprising that we completely repeated the data search to assure it was accurate.  Then we waited for several months after the last tabulated month to assure all the data was in.”

 Asked to explain the unexpected results, John Holland, senior analyst for AAHS (Americans Against Horse Slaughter) said “A significant number of media stories had assured us that abuse and neglect had increased dramatically following the closing of the Texas horse slaughter plants in February of 2007 and the Illinois plant in September.  What we see is that this clearly never happened.”    

Holland went on to say that the number of equine rescues nationwide has increased dramatically in recent years.  “It appears” he concluded, “that the rescues were able to take in the horses pushed out of their homes by these adverse economic conditions.” 

Steve Rei, President of the National Equine Rescue Coalition said that a poll taken of the organization’s member rescues earlier in the year found that about 60% were at financial capacity; while very few were at space capacity.  Rei went on to say it was clear that with more financial help the rescues could handle even more horses. 

Details about the study’s methodology and the supporting data will be made available upon written request.

___________________

About Animal Law Coalition 

Animal Law Coalition works to stop animal cruelty and suffering through legislation, administrative agency action, and litigation. ALC offers legal analysis of the difficult and controversial issues relating to animals. Join ALC and together we can take action for animals nationally and in your state and community.

againstslaughter] FARM BUREAU -DROP Insurance with them in all state

Posted by: "Kitrynak@aol.com" Kitrynak@aol.com   kitrynak

Thu May 22, 2008 3:54 pm (PDT)

This is an example of why we dropped our farm insurance long ago with these
scum . It costs us more at another insurance co. but it is worth it. My state
rep. told me that the Farm Bureau fights ANY law for ANY knid of animal
welfare.
Barbara
----- Original Message -----
From: Bonnie Oliver
To: againstslaughter@yahoogroups.com ; tbindustrymonitor@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:23 PM
Subject: [againstslaughter] FW: AWI Press Release: ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU KILLS
BILL TO BAN INHUMANE TRANSPORT OF HORSES
AWIpressrel_emailheader.jpg
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU KILLS BILL TO BAN INHUMANE TRANSPORT OF HORSES
Springfield, IL (May 22, 2008) - Despite strong support for a bill banning
the use of double deck trailers for hauling horses in Illinois, the
legislation died earlier this week in a Senate Committee following a
disingenuous lobbying effort by the Illinois Farm Bureau. H.B. 4162 was
introduced following the horrific "Wadsworth Crash" of 2007 in which 59
Belgian draft horses were severely or fatally injured after the double-deck
trailer they were being transported in was overturned.
It is common knowledge that transporting horses on such vehicles that are
actually designed for smaller species like cattle and hogs is not only
inhumane but unsafe, given their top-heavy nature. The bill died when the
Illinois Farm Bureau insisted on attaching an amendment that would have
exempted double-deck "horse" trailers, arguing that a humane double-decker
specifically designed for horses might be built in the future.
In truth, no such vehicle could be engineered that would be both comfortable
for the horses and safe for transport on U.S. roads and highways; such a
vehicle would need to be at least 17' tall and in reality even higher, would
be dangerously top-heavy and would exceed the clearance space in many
tunnels and overpasses. Ultimately, since no regulatory definition of a
"horse" trailer exists, the amendment would have had the real effect of
allowing unscrupulous transporters to still put their horses on a
double-decker originally designed for cattle, simply call it a "horse"
trailer, and bypass the proposed law.
While the Illinois Farm Bureau attempted to present itself as reasoned and
caring, it was clear to those working the inside that the organization had
only one objective in this instance: to defeat any measure that would have
led to the more humane transport of horses in Illinois. Often being on the
opposite side of basic animal welfare measures, the Illinois Farm Bureau
outdid itself this time, and was clearly out of step with the majority. The
American Veterinary Medical Association, US Department of Agriculture,
Illinois Department of Agriculture, Animal Welfare Institute, and many
Illinois horse owners and horse transport companies all support an end to
the transport of horses on double-deckers.
"The AWI commends the sponsors of H.B. 4162, Representative JoAnn Osmond,
Representative Bob Molaro and Senator John Cullerton for fighting to protect
horses from this cruel form of transportation," said Heyde. "Their
commitment to equine welfare is commendable. We look forward to working
with them and other compassionate legislators in the future to ban the
transport of horses via double-deck trailers in Illinois. The fight is far
from over."
##30##
For More Information Contact:
Chris Heyde, 703-836-4300
For over 57 years, AWI has been the leading voice for animals across the
country and on Capitol Hill. Please join us in our ongoing campaigns to
reduce the sum total of pain and fear inflicted on animals by humans. Sign
up for AWI eAlerts to receive the latest news on what you can do to help us
protect all animals: http://www.awionline.org/joinus.
********************
Christopher J. Heyde
Deputy Director, Government and Legal Affairs
Animal Welfare Institute
PO Box 3650
Washington, DC 20027
Tel: (703) 836-4300 ~ Fax: (888) 260-2271
 www.awionline.org
 www.compassionindex.org

Planet4Animals] Equine Meat Sector in Mexico

Posted by: "Kitrynak@aol.com" Kitrynak@aol.com   kitrynak

Wed May 21, 2008 5:33 pm (PDT)
This gives an idea of the depth of horse slaughter situation as well as why
horsemeat lobbyists are so powerful and keen on fighting to keep this
disgraceful trade alive.
(http://ats-sea.agr.gc.ca/latin/3659_e.htm)
Agri-Food Trade Service
Overview of the Equine Sector in Mexico
Prepared by Agriculture Section - Alejandro Ruiz, Commercial Officer Canadian
Embassy, Mexico
____________________________________
Mexico has a stock of around 6.3 million horses from which around 10%
(626,000 head) are slaughtered for the production of meat and the rest is used for
breeding, horse racing, equestrian activities, etc.
During the period 1998-2002 the production of horsemeat in Mexico maintained
relatively stable at a level of around 79,000 thousand tonnes. PRODUCTION OF
HORSEMEAT IN MEXICO
(Million Tonnes) 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 79,380 78,876 78,850 78,882
78,890
Source: Mexican Ministry of Agriculture.
Mexico still has a low annual per capita consumption of horsemeat (0.8 kg),
as compared with beef (16.k kg), pork (15.1 kg), poultry (21.8 kg) or even
sheep meat (1.6 kg.). However, consumption has been increasing over the last few
years.
During the period 1998-2002 the Mexican imports of live horses registered a
reduction of 6.3% in terms of volume. However, they registered a growth of
163.9% in terms of value, which indicates an increase in the prices of these
animals.
The U.S. is the main supplier of live horses to Mexico with a share of 92% in
the Mexican imports. Mexico also imports live horses from several European
countries such as Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, Germany and Portugal.
Canada has a share of less than 1% in the Mexican market of live horses.
However, during the period 1998-2002 the Canadian exports of these animals to
Mexico grew from 4 head with a value of US$10,000 to 30 head with a value of
US$30,000. MEXICAN IMPORTS OF LIVE HORSES
(Head) Country 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Growth (%) United States 19,459
2,652 13,698 18,189 17,195 -11.6% Belgium 107 156 213 52 1,023 856.1% Spain
40 57 117 95 118 195.0% Netherlands 79 30 71 21 104 31.6% Germany 19 48 50 74
74 289.5% Portugal 0 16 30 46 72 --- Argentina 22 10 19 31 55 150.0%
Canada 4 26 15 10 30 650.0% Others 250 72 70 75 44 -82.4% Total 19,980 3,067
14,283 18,593 18,715 -6.3%
Source of Data: Secretary of Economy MEXICAN IMPORTS OF LIVE HORSES
(Million US$) Country 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Growth (%) United States
1.4 2.3 4.4 5.8 5.7 293.8% Belgium 0.5 0.5 0.7 0.2 0.0 -93.2% Spain 0.1 0.3
0.3 0.3 0.3 346.7% Netherlands 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 -19.1% Germany 0.1 0.2 0.1
0.2 0.1 16.5% Portugal 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 --- Argentina 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1
0.1 36.7% Canada 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.03 138.6% Others 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1
-28.7% Total 2.5 3.6 6.0 6.9 6.6 163.9%
Source of Data: Secretary of Economy
Due to the increasing demand for horsemeat, the Mexican imports of this
product have been increasing over the last few years.
During the period 1998-2002 the Mexican imports of horsemeat grew 58.8%,
jumping from 2,181 tonnes with a value of US$2.2 million to 3,464 tonnes with a
value of US$4.1 million.
In the past, most of the horsemeat imported by Mexico came from the United
States. However, Canada has been increasing its exports to the Mexican market
and in 2002 it became the first supplier of horsemeat to Mexico with a share of
50.7%.
The Canadian exports of horsemeat to Mexico jumped from 38 tonnes with a
value of US$8,000 in 1998 to 1,758 tonnes with a value of US$2.1 million in 2002.
MEXICAN IMPORTS OF HORSEMEAT
(Metric Tonnes) Country 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Growth (%) United States
2,143 1,975 1,840 1,260 1,706 -20.4% Canada 38 294 1,525 1,748 1,758
4,514.8% Australia 0 0 127 0 0 --- Total 2,181 2,268 3,491 3,009 3,464 58.8%
Source of Data: Secretary of Economy MEXICAN IMPORTS OF HORSEMEAT
(Million US$) Country 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Growth (%) United States
2.1 2.0 1.8 1.5 2.0 -4.8% Canada 0.008 0.3 1.5 2.0 2.1 26,150% Australia 0.0
0.0 0.07 0.0 0.0 --- Total 2.2 2.3 3.3 3.5 4.1 86.4%
Source of Data: Secretary of Economy
Under NAFTA, the Canadian exports of live horses and horsemeat have duty free
access in the Mexican market, which represents an advantage over other
competitors such as Australia and the European countries.
The increasing consumption of horsemeat and the benefits of NAFTA provide
good opportunities for Canadian exporters in the Mexican market.
MEXICAN EQUINE ASSOCIATIONS
Asociación Mexicana de Criadores de Caballo de Raza Azteca, A.C.
Contact. Lic. Rodrigo Valles Sánchez, President
Ing. Agustin Becerril, Vice-President
Address. Km. 2 de la carretera San Juan Teotihuacan
San Juan Teotihuacan, México, C.P. 55800
Phone. (52-594) 9560788
email _rvalle@tepeyac.edu.mx_ (mailto:rvalle@tepeyac.edu.mx)
Asociación Mexicana de Criadores de Caballo de Pura Sangre Española, A.C.
Contact. C.P. Segio Mena, Palacio, President
Address. Parque Centenario No. 10
Col. del Carmén, Del. Coyoacán
México, D.F.
Phone. (52-55) 5658-3022, (52-55) 56583042
Fax. (52-55) 5658-6204
email. _amcce@prodigy.net.mx_ (mailto:amcce@prodigy.net.mx)
Asociación de Criadores de de Caballos Deportivos Mexicanos A.C.
Contact. Lic. Jorge Berea, President
Address: Calle Efrain González Luna No. 1904A
Colonia Americana, Guadalajara, Jalisco
C.P. 44060
Phone/Fax (52-33) 3825-3683

**NOTE...THANK YOU D. FOR FORWARDING ANOTHER ALTHOUGH TO SOME MAY NOT BE A PALATABLE PERSPECTIVE 

NEW YORK TIMES

THE RAIL

May 20, 2008,   11:22 am

They Eat Horses There, Don’t They?

By Gina Rarick

This is a touchy subject, so allow me to start with a disclaimer: I live in France, I love living in France, and I do not eat horse meat — and neither do 82 percent of the people who live here. 

Yes, some French people eat horse meat. So do some Belgians, Italians and many other Europeans. Consumption seems to follow a linguistic divide, with eating horse meat taboo in English-speaking countries. Demand for horse meat reached a peak in the postwar years of the 1950s and has fallen steadily ever since. 

According to data from the Institut de l’Elevage, a French meat industry research group, 18 percent of French households still regularly dine on horse meat. Those households buy an average of 2.5 kilograms, or five and a half pounds, of horse a year, which is down 58 percent over the past 20 years. In France, horse meat is second only to veal in price, averaging 12.67 euros, or about $19.58, a kilo. Veal goes for 13.88 euros a kilo, beef for 11.20 and pork for 6.26. 

In 2006, the last year for which figures are available, 18,991 horses were slaughtered for food in France. The total number of foals born in the country that year was 52,241, but that includes all breeds; the thoroughbred crop was 4,982. 

Since last year, thoroughbred breeders and owners have been allowed to declare on a horse’s papers that the animal is not intended for human consumption, so therefore cannot be slaughtered. This coincides with the formation of Ligue pour la Protection du Cheval, which is funded by France Galop, the governing body of racing in France, and by check-offs from owners and trainers who agree to contribute a percentage of purses. The Ligue will take possession of racehorses that can no longer compete, provide veterinary care for injuries and then place the horse in a new job or in retirement, depending on the age and ability of the horse. The Ligue retains possession of the animal for life, to avoid unscrupulous new owners selling the horse on for slaughter.

When I arrived in France in 1994, horse meat was relatively widely available. Supermarkets had a section of the meat case devoted to it and “chevaline” butchers were easily found in the street market.

Now, though, demand is clearly flagging. Most supermarkets no longer stock horse meat, and many horse butchers are only open one or two days a week or have gone out of business.

Many customers are older people, who grew up eating horse meat in the postwar years. Younger people, in general, are appalled at the idea. Enrollment by young people in riding schools, on the other hand, is booming. So while some may think that the French sit around eating horse for breakfast, lunch and dinner, most French people would rather ride them than eat them.

Gina Rarick trains thoroughbreds in Paris.

7OYS Interview with Veterinarian Horacio Chavira

http://www.myfoxaustin.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=6588092&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1

Last Edited: Tuesday, 20 May 2008, 7:58 PM CDT

Created: Tuesday, 20 May 2008, 7:58 PM CDT

AUSTIN  --  The following is a portion of an interview 7 On Your Side conducted with one of Mexico's leading opponents of horse slaughter:

By Horacio Chavira

Equine Veterinarian and Academic at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in Mexico City.

Member of the APASDEM Commission for the Mercado de San Bernabé (San Bernabé Market).

-What are your feelings towards American horses being driven to Canada and Mexico to be slaughtered?

It is a terrible situation, since in Mexico we know that the slaughtering conditions are atrocius.

The horses are introduced alive through all the borders into Mexico, one example is Ciudad Juárez, State of Chihuahua, México.

We do not know where these animals end up.

-Critics say horses bound for slaughter are transported in horrible trailer conditions from the US to Mexico.  Can you explain how the horses are transported?

When they get into the interior of Mexico, they are put into quarentine and are transported from the borders in double tier compartments, with minimum space between them, even to breathe. As a result of this, many die in transport. They go through a distressing and long agony.

This violates the Mexican standards: NOM 051 ZOO-1995, (said by the SAGARPA) for transportation of horses.

How are the animals slaughtered?

The method used to kill horses in most of the clandestine plants in Mexico, (all over the country) is by stabbing them in the spine until they are disabled. Then they are strung up from their hind legs and their throats are slit. Some others are killed by hitting them with a hammer on their heads, as well as donkeys and mules and most of them are skinned even if they are still alive. Some others are put into a box to immobilize them and stab them to death. The "puntilla" method appears to be standard at older slaughter plants throughout Mexico.

These intelligent and sensitive animals go through unspeakable suffering, even before their death.

-How is the Mexican government reacting to horse slaughter in their country?

Complete indifference and unaware of the extent of the problem.

-What can Americans do if they want to stop horses from being driven to Canada and Mexico for slaughter?

They have to press the American Congress and their Government to pass the S.311, it is vital that they write to their congressmen and ask him/her to support it to amend the Horse Protection Act to 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. Implement border control, inspection of all the trailers coming into and out of the country.

Control the propagation by neutering the animals.

-How do you respond to American ranchers and horse auctioneers who support horse slaughter?

I would ask them to stop selling the animals and to also control the propagation by neutering them.

Conclusion

The Mexican animal protection groups (APASDEM -Asociaciones Protectoras de Animales de México)  and other groups in Mexico and worldwide as well as  humanitarian people of all over the world, strongly recommend that the American Congress or Government pass laws to stop every attempt to cause suffering to horses, donkeys, mules and stop the transport of any of them into Mexico and Canada. It is imperative to stop this insensitive commercial exploitation of animals.

The horses, mules, donkeys have endowed their lives to supporting people, children, ranchers, industries, etc.

Planet4Animals] Equine Meat Sector in Mexico

Posted by: "Kitrynak@aol.com" Kitrynak@aol.com   kitrynak

Wed May 21, 2008 5:33 pm (PDT)
This gives an idea of the depth of horse slaughter situation as well as why
horsemeat lobbyists are so powerful and keen on fighting to keep this
disgraceful trade alive.
(http://ats-sea.agr.gc.ca/latin/3659_e.htm)
Agri-Food Trade Service
Overview of the Equine Sector in Mexico
Prepared by Agriculture Section - Alejandro Ruiz, Commercial Officer Canadian
Embassy, Mexico
____________________________________
Mexico has a stock of around 6.3 million horses from which around 10%
(626,000 head) are slaughtered for the production of meat and the rest is used for
breeding, horse racing, equestrian activities, etc.
During the period 1998-2002 the production of horsemeat in Mexico maintained
relatively stable at a level of around 79,000 thousand tonnes. PRODUCTION OF
HORSEMEAT IN MEXICO
(Million Tonnes) 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 79,380 78,876 78,850 78,882
78,890
Source: Mexican Ministry of Agriculture.
Mexico still has a low annual per capita consumption of horsemeat (0.8 kg),
as compared with beef (16.k kg), pork (15.1 kg), poultry (21.8 kg) or even
sheep meat (1.6 kg.). However, consumption has been increasing over the last few
years.
During the period 1998-2002 the Mexican imports of live horses registered a
reduction of 6.3% in terms of volume. However, they registered a growth of
163.9% in terms of value, which indicates an increase in the prices of these
animals.
The U.S. is the main supplier of live horses to Mexico with a share of 92% in
the Mexican imports. Mexico also imports live horses from several European
countries such as Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, Germany and Portugal.
Canada has a share of less than 1% in the Mexican market of live horses.
However, during the period 1998-2002 the Canadian exports of these animals to
Mexico grew from 4 head with a value of US$10,000 to 30 head with a value of
US$30,000. MEXICAN IMPORTS OF LIVE HORSES
(Head) Country 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Growth (%) United States 19,459
2,652 13,698 18,189 17,195 -11.6% Belgium 107 156 213 52 1,023 856.1% Spain
40 57 117 95 118 195.0% Netherlands 79 30 71 21 104 31.6% Germany 19 48 50 74
74 289.5% Portugal 0 16 30 46 72 --- Argentina 22 10 19 31 55 150.0%
Canada 4 26 15 10 30 650.0% Others 250 72 70 75 44 -82.4% Total 19,980 3,067
14,283 18,593 18,715 -6.3%
Source of Data: Secretary of Economy MEXICAN IMPORTS OF LIVE HORSES
(Million US$) Country 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Growth (%) United States
1.4 2.3 4.4 5.8 5.7 293.8% Belgium 0.5 0.5 0.7 0.2 0.0 -93.2% Spain 0.1 0.3
0.3 0.3 0.3 346.7% Netherlands 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 -19.1% Germany 0.1 0.2 0.1
0.2 0.1 16.5% Portugal 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 --- Argentina 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1
0.1 36.7% Canada 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.03 138.6% Others 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1
-28.7% Total 2.5 3.6 6.0 6.9 6.6 163.9%
Source of Data: Secretary of Economy
Due to the increasing demand for horsemeat, the Mexican imports of this
product have been increasing over the last few years.
During the period 1998-2002 the Mexican imports of horsemeat grew 58.8%,
jumping from 2,181 tonnes with a value of US$2.2 million to 3,464 tonnes with a
value of US$4.1 million.
In the past, most of the horsemeat imported by Mexico came from the United
States. However, Canada has been increasing its exports to the Mexican market
and in 2002 it became the first supplier of horsemeat to Mexico with a share of
50.7%.
The Canadian exports of horsemeat to Mexico jumped from 38 tonnes with a
value of US$8,000 in 1998 to 1,758 tonnes with a value of US$2.1 million in 2002.
MEXICAN IMPORTS OF HORSEMEAT
(Metric Tonnes) Country 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Growth (%) United States
2,143 1,975 1,840 1,260 1,706 -20.4% Canada 38 294 1,525 1,748 1,758
4,514.8% Australia 0 0 127 0 0 --- Total 2,181 2,268 3,491 3,009 3,464 58.8%
Source of Data: Secretary of Economy MEXICAN IMPORTS OF HORSEMEAT
(Million US$) Country 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Growth (%) United States
2.1 2.0 1.8 1.5 2.0 -4.8% Canada 0.008 0.3 1.5 2.0 2.1 26,150% Australia 0.0
0.0 0.07 0.0 0.0 --- Total 2.2 2.3 3.3 3.5 4.1 86.4%
Source of Data: Secretary of Economy
Under NAFTA, the Canadian exports of live horses and horsemeat have duty free
access in the Mexican market, which represents an advantage over other
competitors such as Australia and the European countries.
The increasing consumption of horsemeat and the benefits of NAFTA provide
good opportunities for Canadian exporters in the Mexican market.
MEXICAN EQUINE ASSOCIATIONS
Asociación Mexicana de Criadores de Caballo de Raza Azteca, A.C.
Contact. Lic. Rodrigo Valles Sánchez, President
Ing. Agustin Becerril, Vice-President
Address. Km. 2 de la carretera San Juan Teotihuacan
San Juan Teotihuacan, México, C.P. 55800
Phone. (52-594) 9560788
email _rvalle@tepeyac.edu.mx_ (mailto:rvalle@tepeyac.edu.mx)
Asociación Mexicana de Criadores de Caballo de Pura Sangre Española, A.C.
Contact. C.P. Segio Mena, Palacio, President
Address. Parque Centenario No. 10
Col. del Carmén, Del. Coyoacán
México, D.F.
Phone. (52-55) 5658-3022, (52-55) 56583042
Fax. (52-55) 5658-6204
email. _amcce@prodigy.net.mx_ (mailto:amcce@prodigy.net.mx)
Asociación de Criadores de de Caballos Deportivos Mexicanos A.C.
Contact. Lic. Jorge Berea, President
Address: Calle Efrain González Luna No. 1904A
Colonia Americana, Guadalajara, Jalisco
C.P. 44060
Phone/Fax (52-33) 3825-3683

**NOTE...THANK YOU D. FOR FORWARDING ANOTHER ALTHOUGH TO SOME MAY NOT BE A PALATABLE PERSPECTIVE 

NEW YORK TIMES

THE RAIL

May 20, 2008,   11:22 am

They Eat Horses There, Don’t They?

By Gina Rarick

This is a touchy subject, so allow me to start with a disclaimer: I live in France, I love living in France, and I do not eat horse meat — and neither do 82 percent of the people who live here. 

Yes, some French people eat horse meat. So do some Belgians, Italians and many other Europeans. Consumption seems to follow a linguistic divide, with eating horse meat taboo in English-speaking countries. Demand for horse meat reached a peak in the postwar years of the 1950s and has fallen steadily ever since. 

According to data from the Institut de l’Elevage, a French meat industry research group, 18 percent of French households still regularly dine on horse meat. Those households buy an average of 2.5 kilograms, or five and a half pounds, of horse a year, which is down 58 percent over the past 20 years. In France, horse meat is second only to veal in price, averaging 12.67 euros, or about $19.58, a kilo. Veal goes for 13.88 euros a kilo, beef for 11.20 and pork for 6.26. 

In 2006, the last year for which figures are available, 18,991 horses were slaughtered for food in France. The total number of foals born in the country that year was 52,241, but that includes all breeds; the thoroughbred crop was 4,982. 

Since last year, thoroughbred breeders and owners have been allowed to declare on a horse’s papers that the animal is not intended for human consumption, so therefore cannot be slaughtered. This coincides with the formation of Ligue pour la Protection du Cheval, which is funded by France Galop, the governing body of racing in France, and by check-offs from owners and trainers who agree to contribute a percentage of purses. The Ligue will take possession of racehorses that can no longer compete, provide veterinary care for injuries and then place the horse in a new job or in retirement, depending on the age and ability of the horse. The Ligue retains possession of the animal for life, to avoid unscrupulous new owners selling the horse on for slaughter.

When I arrived in France in 1994, horse meat was relatively widely available. Supermarkets had a section of the meat case devoted to it and “chevaline” butchers were easily found in the street market.

Now, though, demand is clearly flagging. Most supermarkets no longer stock horse meat, and many horse butchers are only open one or two days a week or have gone out of business.

Many customers are older people, who grew up eating horse meat in the postwar years. Younger people, in general, are appalled at the idea. Enrollment by young people in riding schools, on the other hand, is booming. So while some may think that the French sit around eating horse for breakfast, lunch and dinner, most French people would rather ride them than eat them.

Gina Rarick trains thoroughbreds in Paris.

7OYS Interview with Veterinarian Horacio Chavira

http://www.myfoxaustin.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=6588092&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1

Last Edited: Tuesday, 20 May 2008, 7:58 PM CDT

Created: Tuesday, 20 May 2008, 7:58 PM CDT

AUSTIN  --  The following is a portion of an interview 7 On Your Side conducted with one of Mexico's leading opponents of horse slaughter:

By Horacio Chavira

Equine Veterinarian and Academic at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in Mexico City.

Member of the APASDEM Commission for the Mercado de San Bernabé (San Bernabé Market).

-What are your feelings towards American horses being driven to Canada and Mexico to be slaughtered?

It is a terrible situation, since in Mexico we know that the slaughtering conditions are atrocius.

The horses are introduced alive through all the borders into Mexico, one example is Ciudad Juárez, State of Chihuahua, México.

We do not know where these animals end up.

-Critics say horses bound for slaughter are transported in horrible trailer conditions from the US to Mexico.  Can you explain how the horses are transported?

When they get into the interior of Mexico, they are put into quarentine and are transported from the borders in double tier compartments, with minimum space between them, even to breathe. As a result of this, many die in transport. They go through a distressing and long agony.

This violates the Mexican standards: NOM 051 ZOO-1995, (said by the SAGARPA) for transportation of horses.

How are the animals slaughtered?

The method used to kill horses in most of the clandestine plants in Mexico, (all over the country) is by stabbing them in the spine until they are disabled. Then they are strung up from their hind legs and their throats are slit. Some others are killed by hitting them with a hammer on their heads, as well as donkeys and mules and most of them are skinned even if they are still alive. Some others are put into a box to immobilize them and stab them to death. The "puntilla" method appears to be standard at older slaughter plants throughout Mexico.

These intelligent and sensitive animals go through unspeakable suffering, even before their death.

-How is the Mexican government reacting to horse slaughter in their country?

Complete indifference and unaware of the extent of the problem.

-What can Americans do if they want to stop horses from being driven to Canada and Mexico for slaughter?

They have to press the American Congress and their Government to pass the S.311, it is vital that they write to their congressmen and ask him/her to support it to amend the Horse Protection Act to 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. Implement border control, inspection of all the trailers coming into and out of the country.

Control the propagation by neutering the animals.

-How do you respond to American ranchers and horse auctioneers who support horse slaughter?

I would ask them to stop selling the animals and to also control the propagation by neutering them.

Conclusion

The Mexican animal protection groups (APASDEM -Asociaciones Protectoras de Animales de México)  and other groups in Mexico and worldwide as well as  humanitarian people of all over the world, strongly recommend that the American Congress or Government pass laws to stop every attempt to cause suffering to horses, donkeys, mules and stop the transport of any of them into Mexico and Canada. It is imperative to stop this insensitive commercial exploitation of animals.

The horses, mules, donkeys have endowed their lives to supporting people, children, ranchers, industries, etc.

http://www.meatpoultry.com/news/headline_stories.asp?ArticleID=93505
KANSAS CITY, MO. ? Participants in the Livestock Marketing Association’s
fourth annual Washington, D.C. Fly-In said members of Congress are
realizing the unintended consequences of closing the last three horse
slaughter plants in the U.S.

Jim Santomaso, L.M.A. president, said the industry is seeing "more and
more reports of abandoned horses and of horses turned out and left to
starve because owners can’t afford their upkeep or have the means to
properly dispose of them," after a series of legislative actions closed
the three remaining U.S.-based plants in recent years.

Cavel International Inc., DeKalb, Ill., was the final plant to close
this past year. State officials closed the plant, and a legal battle to
reopen has led Cavel officials to the U.S. Supreme Court. In February,
L.M.A. filed an "amicus curiae" (friend of the court) brief with the
Supreme Court, asking it to overturn the Illinois law banning horse
slaughter and the federal appeals court decision upholding that law.
That law, and the subsequent appeals decision, effectively exempted
40,000-60,000 horses from humane slaughter, the brief said. The Cavel
plant slaughtered that many horses annually, all under the provisions of
the federal Humane Slaughter Act, which applies only to U.S. plants.

"[Lawmakers] are ready to listen to the argument that banning slaughter
is creating huge problems," said Mr. Santomaso. "The ban takes away
individual property rights, when you tell a horse owner what he can and
cannot do with an animal that may be at the end of its useful life."

L.M.A. representatives made these points during meetings with the
chairman and staff members of panels of the House and Senate Agriculture
Committees, and lawmakers from the members’ home states. During a trip
to Washington April 27-30, the group also met with the chair of the
House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, Rep. Rosa DeLauro,
D-Conn., to discuss the unintended consequences of using the
appropriations process in removing a humane method of disposal for tens
of thousands of unwanted horses.

The "terrible result" of legislation banning this slaughter, he said,
"is to close legitimately operated food-processing plants based solely
on cultural and emotional arguments. And that sets a very dangerous
precedent of banning a legitimate meat product for reasons other than
food safety or public health."

"We are cautiously optimistic that the people we met on Capitol Hill
will keep our position in mind as Congress moves forward on this key
issue," he said.

Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5] - 1/23/2008
Rep Tsongas, Niki [MA-5] - 1/23/2008