Horse Slaughter
I do not think most people are aware of how many horses are slaughtered a year. The Humane Society of the United States states; "In 2001, more than 55,000 horses were killed in the United States and processed for human consumption. In addition, many thousands of live horses were transported across the border to Canada for slaughter."
The meat is also shipped to Mexico, along with Europe and Asia, where eating horse has been going on for a few hundred years. Apparently, France, Belgium, Holland, and Italy, are big horse meat consumers.
Two more estimates of yearly horse killing, by Animal Rights.net states; "The United States Department of Agriculture estimates 113,499 horses were slaughtered in 1997." and the
Where are all these horses coming from? The Society for Animal Protective Legislation states; "Show horses, racehorses, foals born as a "byproduct" of the Premarin© industry (a female hormone replacement drug), wild horses, carriage horses, and family horses all fall prey to this detestable international industry. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of horses are stolen every year for the horsemeat trade." Along with this, is the current laws, and state organizations not doing thier job. The Society for Animal Protective Legislation goes on to state: "Land Management, the agency responsible for protecting America's wild horses, show that federally protected wild horses have been sent to slaughter for years despite a law against such abuse."
Horses are also sold through livestock auctions or sales, where discarded and/or unhealthy horses are left. Basically, the horses considered useless and unable to generate a profit. "Still others are purchased at auction, where equines have been found for sale who are sick, sore, lame, disabled, blind, and pregnant." Society for Animal Protective Legislation
Unfortunately, these beautiful animals are killed ineffectively, like other animals. The 'bolt' gun, is supposed to render an animal dead or unconscious, and it doesn't. Sometimes more than one 'shot' is administered to stop the harmed animal from kicking and trying to run away, As in most cases, Federal Laws require most animals to be knocked unconscious, before being killed. As with pigs and cows, horses also are not knocked out with the 'bolt gun' used.
It is believed, the reason why horse meat is more in demand, is due to the fact that the horse, as of yet, has not been shown to contact 'mad cow' or 'foot-and-mouth disease'. Decrease in demand has been for beef, pork and lamb. I am sure, in the future, if not the near future, people will come to realize, meat of any kind, will and does carry disease that can be deadly to humans and other living animals. Infact, even Horse meat has its 'diseases'; "Since 1975, consumption of horse meat has become the main cause of human trichinellosis in western Europe, although only two countries, Italy and France, have been affected so far. Over 2800 cases were reported between 1975 and 1998......another outbreak of more than 500 cases occurred in Barletta, Italy, in 1990. For the first time, trichinella larvae were identified in horse meat but could not be typed and the strain was not stored... two outbreaks in early 1998 in Italy and France ..,Finally, parasitological evidence of natural infection of horses has now been obtained on several occasions." EuroSurveillance
"The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act will ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption and the domestic and international transport of live horses or horseflesh for human consumption.
"Last year alone 50,564 horses were slaughtered in one of the two foreign-owned, US-based horse slaughtering facilities located in Texas. A third plant, Cavel International reopened on June 9th so those figures will grow even higher this year unless the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act is passed." Society for Animal Protective Legislation (SAPL)
America's horses should not be slaughtered to satisfy foreign palates. These two wonderful bills would protect our horses. Please help to enact them into law.
"More than 65,000 horses, most of them racehorses, work horses or pets, were slaughtered in this country in 2004, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This is an alarming 30% increase over the previous year. Tens of thousands more were shipped live to Canada and Mexico for slaughter there."
Helpful Links & Updates
~ Working on adding desciptions of the listed entries below ~
~ All descriptions come from the respected websites ~
Dedicated to finding loving homes from horses no longer needed in the Premarin industry.
Founded in 1910 when the term "dumb" was commonly used to refer to those who could not speak. Their motto is, "We speak for those who cannot speak for themselves".
Launched in December 2003 in response to the massive production cuts in the Premarin industry. PMURescue.org is a project of United Animal Nations (UAN). UAN was founded in 1987 by a small group of humane movement workers with more than 120 years of aggregate experience, who wanted to save forgotten animals.
ALERTS ~ ACTIONS ~ NEWS
UPDATE! HORSES SAFE FROM SLAUGHTER FOR 2006!
Thu, 27 Oct 2005
Great news! The Horse Slaughter Amendment to the Agricultural Appropriations Bill was approved by the Agricultural Appropriations Conference Committee! That means that no federal tax dollars will be used in 2006 to fund USDA inspections of slaughterhouses that slaughter horses. Without USDA inspections, slaughter plants are prohibited from slaughtering animals for human consumption. The effect of this landmark amendment is to prohibit horse slaughter in the United States for fiscal year 2006. This will give us valuable time to work towards passage of legislation permanently banning horse slaughter in the United States. Thanks to all who participated and supported our efforts to ban horse slaughter for fiscal year 2006!
Email Update from:
Cori A. Menkin, Esq.
Program Counsel
Government Affairs and Public Policy Associate
PREMARIN MARES AND FOALS NEED YOUR HELP!
October 2005
Winter is fast approaching in Canada. The leaves are changing, there is a chill in the air, and it recently snowed in Alberta. Sadly, this signals the end of this year’s rescue opportunity for Premarin mares and foals, and the ranchers will be forced to bring the horses out of pasture.
Since it is extremely costly for the ranchers to feed these animals, nearly 200 horses will end up at auction, many of whom will be slaughtered. If you have room to house a horse, please consider adopting a Premarin mare or foal today.
For more information on how you can help, please visit ASPCA.org today.
Warning: This video shows some graphic scenes of horse slaughter
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