From The Hill:  Animal Welfare: Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act seeks to vanquish U.S. ties to horsemeat trade, by Senator Mary Landrieu

The article is part of the Animal Welfare Special Report, which is sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association (which seems rather ironic, given the mixed signals that they send regarding what is and is not humane).

7/17/09 H.R. 1018 - House of Representatives

To amend the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act to improve the management and long-term health of wild free roaming horses and burrows, and for other purposes.

By requested roll call vote, the bill was passed in the House of Representatives (Y - 239, N - 185, No Vote - 11)

Party breakdown on vote - Democrat (Y - 204, N - 48, NV - 3), Republican (Y - 33, N - 138, NV - 7)

It will still need to move to the Senate for passage into law.  Hopefully, it will not go the way of preceding bill H.R. 249 in the 110th Congress and drift into oblivion.

More about this bill can be found on the legislation page.

Speaking of Legislation...

Our busy friends in the meat industry are hard at work on what is intended to be titled the H.O.R.S.E. Act.  If you are wondering, that stands for The Humane and Optimal Restoration and Sustainability of Equines Act.  You should read the text of the proposed legislation yourself and a summary has been provided.  Familiar names appearing on the "Founding Leadership Team" include Conrad Burns, Trent Loos, and Charlie Stenholm among the usual cast of characters and organizations.  Be very aware that this is a well thought out piece of proposed legislation which, if advanced, will close the loopholes and set the definitions of humane euthanasia as captive bolt via slaughter facilities.  The organization encompasses a number of moneyed venues and seems as though it has every opportunity afforded to advance.  Don't laugh, don't be fooled.  This is very real.  What can you do?  Ask yourself this question.  Are the legislators employed to advance the end of horse slaughter and transport for such doing their jobs in Congress?  They are, by virtue of election, employed.  You are the employer.  It is your choice to retain or seek other, better suited employees to best advance your company.  The United States is your company.  Is there a particular reason why these elected employees have been allowed to present weak legislation that is then allowed to go quietly stale?  Is that acceptable to you?

and.... This would be a good time to resurrect the film Last of the Spanish Mustangs

If you haven't seen it, now would be a good time to watch.  The film can be viewed on Netflix as a Watch Instantly feature or can be purchased through Len Johnson Productions.  Created in the years when the U.S. still had three operating slaughter facilities, it is a candid look at the fate of the mustang and the cast of characters who are working on both sides of the issue.  The piece is truly a "can't miss", and a good reminder of why we must not allow horse slaughter operations to resume in this country.

Open mouth, insert foot...

We will give this dubious honor to Representative Anders Blewett of Montana.  From the Great Falls Tribune, Montana:

Pity the people in Montana who elected and are enduring this mentality.  The Montana House of Representatives has rejected Governor Schweitzer's veto of H.B. 418 by a margin of 59-41.  The bill is now being sent on to the Senate.  A constitutional challenge is in order for the bill which denies citizens basic challenges as set forth in a democratic government.

Illinois and Montana are not alone in horse slaughter legislation

Many of you are aware that there is progressive action in both Montana and Illinois on efforts to enact laws promoting horse slaughter within those states.  Please also be aware that other states are moving along within their legislatures with equally swift actions.  Keep updated on both federal and state efforts on the Legislation page.

Your help is needed to reach 5,000 signatures for Madeleine Pickens

Go, read, sign, send.  It's as simple as that and could make the difference between life and death for wild horses and burros.

The text of the New York bill A03736/S3178 is well worth noting.

While there is a move on to enact legislation on multiple state levels in favor of the slaughter of horses (see Legislation page), New York has taken the opposite action.  With strongly worded legislation aimed at prevention of horse slaughter and the enabling of that act, this text should well be a model for weak efforts on our federal level.  The text is worth noting and should be emulated, just as the pro-slaughter text has been.  New York's proposed legislation has closed the loopholes and made the intent very clear.  If one were to fault the legislation at all, it would be for the lenient penalties imposed by violations of the proposed legislation.  The summary of text reads:

March 2009 and legislation at state levels rolls on.

It changes almost on a daily basis and, although I can't update as often as is necessary, pertinent links are available on the legislation page where the most recent actions can be found.
 

The good people of Montana are hard at work on both sides of the issue.  Montana Horse Sanctuary is educating, campaigning to keep horse slaughter out of the state, and has generously provided their report Humane Alternatives for your reference.  Please join them on 3/12/09 at 3 p.m. in room 303 of the Capital for the hearing on H.B. 418.

Illinois is actively campaigning to override the current prohibitions relating to horse slaughter.  They could use your help.

The state of horse slaughter legislation is very critical.  Cattle interests have finances involved, foreign industry is backing the effort, and it must not be put off for even one moment.

February 2009 Legislative updates:  Details can be found on the legislation page.

I'm going to rant at you again (and I'm not going to stop):

Bills in many states are being introduced and passed swiftly through the state legislatures.  Only a federal law which overrides the slaughter issue will accomplish what should have been accomplished in previous sessions of Congress.  The current federal bills, while well intentioned, are not a substitute for the previous bills which were allowed to die.  It is never too early, there is never "plenty of time."  To think that way is folly, as should have been demonstrated repeatedly in the past.  It is of utmost importance that contact with your representatives be made to introduce and support bills of a text which will close the loopholes and not be put forth simply to placate the movement to end horse slaughter and the transport for slaughter in this country.  Do something.  NOW.

• Representative Nick Rahall (WV) introduces H.R. 1018 in the House of Representatives - Restoring Our American Mustangs (ROAM) Act.  This bill attempts to restore protection of our wild horses and burros and is of the essence of H.R. 249 which was allowed to die in the 110th Congress, after passing the House of Representatives in the Spring of 2007.

• H.J.R. 7 in Utah, titled the Equine Resources Joint Resolution, "urges Congress to oppose federal legislation that would interfere with a state's authority to direct the transport or processing of horses."  The bill's intent is to supersede any pending federal legislation and return power at the state level.

• Montana and Wyoming have also instituted state legislation favorable to the slaughter of horses. 

Plant may slaughter horses under North Dakota bill
In-Forum - Fargo,ND

1/24/09
North Dakota Representative Rod Froelich and Senator Joe Miller are sponsoring H.B. 1496 to enable construction of a slaughterhouse in the state of North Dakota.  The usual rhetoric echoed by the pro-slaughter contingent can be found in the article.

1/15/09: H.R. 503 reintroduced (Rep. Conyers/Burton) into the House of Representatives of the 111th Congress.  Originally drafted as bill H.R. 464, the bill number was rescinded to tie in with the number of the original bill.  Details on the bill to be published as soon as they are available the government website.  In the meantime, information may be accessed here.  As in the past, please contact your legislators to urge them to co-sponsor the bill.  Although it is early in the session, previous efforts substantiate the fact that unless immediate and aggressive action is taken to push these bills forward, they will be placed in the deep dark hole of the legislature and left to go stale.  Contact information for your representative may be accessed through the Contact Lawmakers box on this page.

And something which is normally important to this issue:

WASHINGTON - Agriculture Committee Chair Collin C. Peterson of Minnesota announced the Members of Congress selected to serve on the
House Agriculture Committee for the 111th Congress today.

The House Democratic Steering Committee, including 11 freshmen Members and 17 returning Members, to serve on the House Agriculture
Committee. The House Republican Conference has named 17 Republicans to serve on the Committee and has left one seat vacant.

"The Agriculture Committee is responsible for issues as varied as farm programs, commodity markets, nutrition, conservation,
renewable energy, and rural development, so the diverse experiences of these Members will bring new ideas and energy to our work on
these important issues," Chair Peterson said.

The House Agriculture Committee has jurisdiction over a wide range of agriculture and rural development issues.  These areas include
renewable energy, disaster assistance, nutrition, crop insurance, conservation, international trade, futures market regulation,
animal and plant health, agricultural research, bioterrorism, forestry, and others.

Congressman Peterson has served as chair of the Agriculture Committee since 2007.

Wipe the slate clean again because it is 2009.

The 111th Congress is in session and all previous pending legislation is null and void.  Every bill that is below this text area; instituted, introduced, acted upon, not passed in both the House and Senate, not signed into law, held, etc. is gone.

All actions instituted in the 110th Congress, covering 2007 & 2008 will soon be archived.  For now, review what is lost and ponder just how we accept this year after year after year.

2009 action to date in the 111th Congress:  H.R. 305, introduced by Rep. Mark Kirk and Steve Cohen would prohibit the interstate transport of horses in double decker vehicles.  Since the 111th Congress has been so recently convened, information will appear as available.  How ironic that the number of the bill is directly backward from H.R. 503 which would have prevented the slaughter and transport for slaughter but was successfully buried again.

Deanne Stillman, author of Mustang: The Saga of the Wild Horse in the American West speaks on the Bureau of Land Management's intention to slaughter the mustangs in mass numbers.  Once again, the H.R. 249, the bill which would have protected these horses, has been allowed to remain forgotten in oblivion after passing the House in April of 2007.  It is difficult to move forward on this front when those that oppose slaughter remember nothing of this bill.   Allowing the bills which were brought forward in this session of Congress to go stale is not solved by letter writing and hand wringing on Internet forums.  Allowing our Congress and representatives to manipulate the laws with board game politics does not get it done.

But... Hope and action arrives in the way of an angel for the horses, and her name is Madeleine Paulson Pickens.

While you are at it, be sure to become familiar with The PickensPlan.  Get on board and maybe we can turn this country around.

Latest Major Action on H.R. 6598:

10/3/2008 4:09pm:

House Committee on Agriculture Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Jan. 3, 2009.

(If you haven't figured this one out, that date is after the 110th Congress has ended, thus making further action null and void.)

How powerful is H.R. 6598, the substitute bill?

Hoping to placate the effort to end horse slaughter and transport for slaughter within the U.S. H.R. 6598 seemed to be the only focus of the anti-slaughter contingent in the U.S.   The action on 9/23/08 was purported to be a positive step in this direction.  However, further actions on this bill tell otherwise:

In the shadow of the passing of Thoroughbred industry giant and anti-slaughter advocate John Hettinger, NTRA's president and CEO Alex Waldrop has dropped a bombshell.  Speaking as representative of the organization, which formerly stood very much in support of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, Mr. Waldrop, in a letter addressed to Congress, has stated that NTRA takes no official stand on H.R. 6598, the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008. 

As a member of the Thoroughbred industry, I find this back peddling both offensive and dangerous to the future of our sport.  Where, previously, we could take pride in the fact that NTRA stood with clear principles, this new found lack of commitment speaks in contrast to the efforts underway to bring to the sport a safer and more prosperous future.

You may communicate your thoughts to Mr. Waldrop through his Straight Up blog at NTRA.

It is interesting to note that some of the foremost Thoroughbred industry participants followed the Waldrop letter with a letter to Congress of their own.  Headed by Josephine Abercrombie, and supported by a list of prominent owners/breeders, the letter spoke of their staunch support of the horse protection and anti-slaughter acts, despite what Mr. Waldrop has portrayed as representative of the industry.

7/9/08 letter to Henri Bisson, BLM from Nick Rahall, II, Chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources and Raul M. Grijalva, Chairman of the Subcommittee on National parks, Forests and Public Lands regarding accountability for wild horse and burro management.

McCullough Peaks Horse Herd in Danger

The Bureau of Land Management has scheduled another removal of wild horses from Montana.  Information from The Cloud Foundation and the action that you can take to prevent the destruction of our native herds.

Does anyone recall that we have a federal bill H.R. 249 which has been allowed to be swept under the rug after early passage in the House in April of 2007 ?  Was it passed with a wink and a nod that this action would placate the restless natives until it drifted into obscurity, becoming  null and void with the end of 2008?

This bill would prevent the slaughter of our wild horses.

6/19/08:  It is very interesting that the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, spearheaded by Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL) and Ed Whitfield (KY) finds the time to enter into a completely new side trip in pursuit of "Breeding, Drugs, and Breakdowns: The State of Thoroughbred Horseracing and the Welfare of the Thoroughbred Racehorse,"  while pending legislation for the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act continues to go nowhere.  Perhaps if the energy expended here were redirected in a more efficient direction we might get these laws passed during this session of Congress.   Perhaps, while well intentioned, this state of horse racing  is better left to those who are acquainted with the topic.  It should not be overlooked that the industry continues to go forward in making conditions safer for the Thoroughbred race horse (for addition information: Lighthouse), a fact that seems to be conveniently overlooked by both sides of the fence.  It is a shame and a travesty that our Congress cannot keep on course for bills which are allowed to be swept under the rug while they pursue new ways to occupy the short time remaining.

6/16/08

The U.S. Supreme Court denies Cavel's challenge of the Illinois law prohibiting horse slaughter.

The Day No Horses Went to Slaughter - article details the incredible save of 163 horses from the Sugarcreek Auction on Memorial Day, 2008.

 In the aftermath of HBO Real Sports' segment...

While the segment must be commended in familiarizing the viewer with the horrors of horse slaughter, as expected, it was another weapon in the arsenal to sensationalize the ongoing love/hate relationship with horse racing in this country.  Perhaps it might have been helpful to offer up the information that the majority of U.S. horses that go to slaughter do not originate from the tracks.  Irresponsible owners and trainers are certainly not given a pass on this, as it is very real and many Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds are discarded by people who have no priority other than that dictated by the dollar.  Certainly, the majority of circumstances at the tracks are not dictated by the price of flesh on the hoof and it is both a disservice to the viewer and to the industry in general to paint it with such a single colored stroke.

When "Old Buck" from John Doe's ranch makes the journey to the kill pen headlines are not made.  The reality is that there are more "Old Bucks" out there every day which are loaded onto trailers for the final journey to the slaughter house.  No one mourns their loss.  No one notices.  Because they are not a recognizable name, are they any less important?  Is John Doe any less guilty than the Thoroughbred trainer or owner that sends that horse to the same fate?  If you can't answer "no" to those questions, then perhaps your agenda has become unfocused.

The meat industry continues to flood the press with articles attempting to insinuate and instill in the voting public the idea that the return of horse slaughter in the U.S. is the only solution.  Why send their "on the hoof" profits to other shores when they can cash in on the cruelty here?  The following article, although another spin sent out by the underpinnings of the meat industry, demonstrates the echoing hue and cry that the slaughter of horses is a good thing.  Rather than focusing on horse racing, this one takes it down to the roots of our cowboy romance.  Horses abandoned in West as feed prices rise, by Laura Zuckerman, from Yahoo News.

I believe that HBO left out a very important aspect of the topic.  It may have been more helpful to give the viewer all of the information but, then again, that probably doesn't offer the higher ratings and would place the focus on the topic rather than on the sport.  Who profits here?  HBO Real Sports, yes.  Horses, remains to be seen.

One last question:  Thoroughbred, Paint, Quarter Horse, Mustang, Draft Horse, Mixed Breed - Are any less important?  The clock of the 110th Congress is ticking.

Senators and Representatives are elected to office by the voters.  You are the voter.  The next time that you make contact to ask for forward movement and passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503, S. 311, AND H.R. 249), remember that every vote counts.  Responsibility must be accounted for.  No action on the part of your legislator = no vote when it is time for re-election.  The CONTACT LAWMAKERS box is at the top of this page.

HBO Real Sports - Monday, May 12 10:00 p.m. EST/PST (check listings for time in your area): Hidden Horses

Texas Attorney General rules that horse meat may not be shipped through the state en route to foreign destinations

This does not mean that horses may not be shipped through Texas on the way to Mexican slaughterhouses.  It means that horsemeat destined for human consumption may not transported through the state, thus cannot be shipped out of  Texas, as has been previously done by the Mexican plants as a cost saving measure.

Representative Dan Boren (D - OK) expresses his personal preference for horse slaughter, the killing of polar bears, and just about any other live creature that you would care to aim a gun or captive bolt at.  Citing the usual diatribe with the trite terminology of "harvesting, activist groups" ad nauseum, he is doing his job as mouthpiece for the frightened cattle industry constituents and campaigning for their continued support.  I'll bet that there are other citizens in Oklahoma who do not share his beliefs.

Conrad Burns, long time proponent of horse slaughter, assumes position with lobbying firm Gage LLC to represent AQHA.  Joining the former Senator is former staffer Ryan Thomas.  Burns is well remembered for his efforts on behalf of continuing the slaughter of wild horses and subverting the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act by tactics such as secret holds.  He lost his Senate seat in January 2007, after going down in defeat.  Former Senate members are not allowed to lobby for one year following leaving office.  He became eligible to lobby in February 2008.

Sign on to become a citizen co-sponsor for the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. 

In Michigan, Dr. Jack Kevorkian says that he will run for Congress as an independent candidate.  His opponant, from the Republican party would be Joseph Knollenberg who voted NOE to H.R. 503 in 2006 and is pro-slaughter.  I wonder what Kevorkian's stand would be???

Remember this name:  Representative Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonica, IL

Citing the same absurd reasoning as set forth by the slaughter advocates (blah, blah, blah, ad nauseum), Rep. Sacia attempts to reintroduce horse slaughter in the state of Illinois and is soundly defeated in the House committee.  He plans on "trying again next year."

And while we are on the subject, this is for you, all of the devoted Pro Slaughter Advocates who enjoy reading the information on this site, and like nothing better than to share your "insights":  A graphic demonstration of what you profess to be humane, in an Investigation at Natural Valley Horse Slaughter Plant.

From WJZ, Baltimore

•  Horse Lovers Want Congress to Stop Slaughter

• Horse Lovers Ask Congress to Stop Horse Slaughter (article)

• Actor Paul Sorvino speaks from Capitol Hill 

• WJZ Investigates the Slaughtering of Horses (article with video and important links)

• Thousands of Horses Slaughtered for their Meat 

Americans Against Horse Slaughter convene in Washington D.C. on March 4 and 5 and lobby to put an end to horse slaughter, and transport for slaughter, within the U.S.   Meeting with government representatives, the goal is to bring the federal laws to the floor of Congress before the end of this session.

Update 2/27/08 Bison Advocate Closes Trap; Forcibly Removed & Arrested

It is interesting to note that although the government's official reason for removal and slaughter of Bison is the fear of brucellosis being spread to cattle, there has been no testing for brucellosis conducted on the slaughtered animals.

2/25/08  Citizen Takes Action to Shut Down Bison Trap

It's a familiar story.  When no one listens, other options sometimes become necessary.  After miles of frustration against a deaf government, man erects a platform and takes up residence attached to the Horse Butte bison trap.  Do you recall H.R. 249 to protect our wild horses?  Passed in the House in 2007 it has been conveniently swept under the rug and has yet to see the light of day on the floor of the Senate.  Is this becoming all too familiar?

2/22/08

A brief Amicus Curiae (.pdf file) has been filed by the Livestock Marketing Association in support of Cavel International.  The brief challenges the constitutionality of the Illinois legislation and is an effort to be heard by the Supreme Court.

Illinois' Bill to Ban Double Decker Transport of Horses Moves to the Floor.

The Humane Scorecard

Let's take a look at the Presidential hopefuls and their actions before the Primary year when things weren't so geared toward getting your vote.  When under a little less scrutiny in the public eye, The Humane Scorecard (. pdf file will open in new window) gives the tally for each member of the 109th Congress and their respective scoring in animal welfare issues.  Of the remaining candidates, both Democrat and Republican, the totals were as follow (in alphabetical order) if they were a member of the House or Senate during that session of Congress:

Don't think for a minute that they have given up in South Dakota.  Horse-slaughter bill outcry keeps it alive from the Rapid City Journal outlines the possibilities of a resurrections of the bill to encourage the construction of a horse slaughter facility within the state.

Senate Bill No. 170 shot down in South Dakota

The bill died in committee following the barrage of phone calls, faxes, and emails.  Although this does not prevent a similar situation rearing its ugly head, you did good!  Now go to Washington and demand action on H.R. 503, S. 311, and H.R. 249!

IMPORTANT ACTION - South Dakota

Senate Bill No. 170 introduced in the South Dakota Legislature would authorize $1 million loan for the construction of "equine processing facility" within the state of South Dakota and is scheduled for hearing in the South Dakota Senate Agriculture Committee at 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 29, 2008.  The bill was introduced by:

SD Senators - Kloucek, Garnos, Gary Hanson, Koetzle, Maher, Sutton

SD Representatives - DeVries, Elliott, Howie, Lucas, Betty Olson, Van Norman

It is important to note that South Dakota has been extremely pro slaughter. The possibilities for parent companies Velda - Zele, Belgium (Cavel-IL), Chevideco - Rekkem, Belgium (Dallas Crown - TX), Frontier Meats  - Fort Worth, TX (Beltex), as well as outside interests, constructing facilities in a state that would not be problematic with anti-slaughter legislation is very high and financially advantageous.

What can you do?  Animal Welfare Institute eAlert provides specific actions and contact information.  Until the federal legislation is passed, there is nothing preventing this action in the state of South Dakota and it would not be expected that countering legislation could be attained in the state.

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer

That's an interesting concept, and one with some merit, but not really the subject of this diatribe.  However, a good treatise on the concept can be found on AskMen.com and is worth the read.  Now, moving on...

In the days leading up to the apex of a decision in the 110th Congress on whether we will or will not end horse slaughter in the U.S., it seems as though the public information currently being disseminated is more poignant than ever.  Both sides are running short on patience and getting more desperate in their attempts to inform and promote their stand on the issue.  Just as we may preach to our own choir regarding the inhumanity of horse slaughter, so does the meat industry take the opposing view.  They take this very seriously, as it is just one determiner of their financial viability.  Money is the bottom line and not their concern about the humane treatment of any animal headed for slaughter.  If humane treatment were their motive, they would all jump the fence to this side.  Logical and simple.

When I read an article that quotes a poultry industry official accusing anti slaughter groups of "publicizing sensational and frequently fabricated and manipulated images," of the inhumane slaughter of animals, it boggles the mind.  Unfortunately, it is not necessary to manipulate any images or fabricate any stories regarding the practices.  The treatment of horse bound for slaughter is very much real.  Factory farming is very much real.  Dr. Simon Shane reports from WATT Poultry USA in The Shane Report: The law of unintended consequences applied to horse slaughter.  Closer to the surface than in most of these articles, Dr. Shane reveals that it is really all about money.

Susan Wagner, of Equine Advocates, was a recent guest on The Martha Stewart Show.  She spoke eloquently and knowledgeably about the issue of horse slaughter in the U.S. and the importance of passage of the federal bills to end the slaughter and transport for slaughter.  A special thank you to Susan and to Martha Stewart for providing the accessibility to many in the viewing audience who may not have been aware.

From YouTube, Equine Advocates, the important segment from The Martha Stewart Show which aired 1/16/08*:

*To run this file on your computer, you must "allow" content to run by clicking in your browser bar.  If preferred, the YouTube video may also be accessed on the YouTube site. 

Mark January 22, 2008 on your calendar - Call in day for horses

Tuesday, January 22, 2008 has been designated as the next National Call-In Day for horses.  Let your voice be heard in support of ending slaughter in the U.S.  Use the Contact Lawmakers box above to find the direct number for your representatives, or call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your (1) Representative and (2) Senators.  Ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 503 or S. 311 if they haven't already.  Ask them to prioritize the passage of the bills.

Elections drawing closer every day - the anti slaughter slant

Considering your choice of candidate for the Presidential election should be a well thought out and informed decision.  While it should not be based soley on a candidate's views of legislation to prevent the slaughter of horses and other humane issues, it pays to be clear on the stand of each contender.  Animals & Politics provides such information.  Upon much review of records accumulated on this topic, the front runners for each party would be: Democrats - Hillary Rodham Clinton, Republicans - John McCain (both were also 2006 co-sponsors when the bill was S.R. 1915).  It is recalled that while both were front runners in co-sponsorship of the anti-slaughter bills, Barack Obama took longer to commit.  Not signing on at all to the previous bill while in the 109th Congress, he initially refused to do so with the present legislation when directly asked for support.  This, and Obama's support of Judge Frederick Kapala, who kept slaughter alive in Illinois, seem just a couple of reasons to deny him the nod.

From 6/1/07 - found on Legislation-section, Illinois:

1/9/08

Veterinarians for Equine Welfare issues white paper report: Horse Slaughter - Its Ethical Impact and Subsequent Response of the Veterinary Profession in response to misinformation distributed as a blanket statement purported to represent all veterinary professionals.

Huckabee Likes Horsemeat -- "tastes like chicken"

From the Wall Street Journal 12/21/07:  Mike Huckabee, campaigning in Iowa, speaks to reporters from his bus.

Freedom of  Information Act - As a citizen of the U.S. it is your right to obtain information, per written request, from federal agencies.  Principal FOIA Contacts at Federal Agencies.  One such agency is the Department of Agriculture:

I wonder if, perhaps, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service would be the one to contact if you were seeking this information or reason why it was not available?  If so, this agency officer may be contacted by mail, facsimile, e-mail, or web request form.:

12/12/07  Cavel back in the news

In a little piece tucked here and there on the internet, Cavel attorney J. Philip Calabrese has indicated that Cavel will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Illinois law closing the slaughterhouse.  Cavel has until 1/18/08 to file the petition.

Confused about double decker trailers transporting horses, even though you thought it was illegal?

JAVMA News, in their December 15, 2007 article (yes, they date them ahead if you read before that date and are wondering) offers an overview on the current legislative efforts attempting to close the loopholes in the intended law prohibiting the practice.  Follow the instructions at the bottom of the article to submit comments to USDA before January 7, 2008 regarding the rule.

If the rising numbers of horses exported across borders from the U.S. for slaughter does not seem significant, the realities of the flagrant transport and humane violations should.  Read Animals' Angels USA Investigation into the export of American horses to Mexico - External Report (.pdf file), hosted by Texas Horse Talk.  Further studies conducted by Animals Angels can be found on their Horse Slaughter page.

11/14/07

S. 311 has been placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar, #488,  under General Orders.  What this means is that at some point in the near or far future, the bill may make it to the floor of the Senate, if that happens before the end of the 110th Congress.

11/11/07

A letter from Willie Nelson.  Join together on Capitol Hill, November 13 & 14 to demand a vote on H.R. 503 and S.311, The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.

11/7/07

Where are the federal bills for The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act?

• H.R. 503 - With 188 current cosponsors, H.R. 503 was referred on 3/2/07 to the House Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry, where it remains hidden today.

• S. 311 - On 4/25/07 the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation ordered the bill to be reported favorable, without amendment.  No further action has been forthcoming.

• H.R. 249 - The bill to restore the prohibition on commercial sale and slaughter of our wild horses and burros was passed in the House of Representatives on 4/26/07.  It was received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, where it remains hidden today.

As it currently appears, another year will pass without action on the bills.  While politicians continue to play the chess game with our federal legislation, horses are being transported over borders in ever increasing numbers.  The committees that hold both H.R. 503 and H.R. 249 are largely pro-slaughter.  Out of sight, out of mind, in this current administration.  Have you contacted your representatives (again?), have you demanded answers to why this inaction is allowed?

10/3/07

Do you need a quick review of the movement to end horse slaughter?  Racing and the Law, by Chris E. Wittstruck, Esq. provides an unbiased and accurate overview of major events and the current status of U.S. legislation.  Article from Harnesslink.com.