Missy's Hope Equine Rescue Resource

Horse Slaughter Information

This is a page where you can find information on national call in days, horse slaughter statistics, and any horse slaughter related information.

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.

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.

This was the documentary that was shown on HBO-TV.
WARNING:  graphic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04mvw6tTHrs
Here is the HBO special on YouTube.
PLEASE FORWARD!!!

PLEASE XPOST

HBO ... Story on Horse Slaughter to Air May 12 at 10:00 PM

REAL SPORTS

INVESTIGATES

THE SLAUGHTER OF THOROUGHBRED HORSES FOR PROFIT,

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Kristofer Goddard (212) 512-5034

homeboxoffice.com

For Immediate Release May 5, 2008

REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL

INVESTIGATES THE SLAUGHTER OF THOROUGHBRED HORSES FOR PROFIT,

Segments include:

*Hidden Horses. Few casual horse racing fans are aware that many former racing

horses are slaughtered for profit. When a thoroughbred race horse reaches the end