Horse for slaughter coming back??

[karenkarenn]

Hello out there,
I wanted everyone possible s opinion on this subject.
I received three emails from my failed Arabian Breeder that turned into a Quarter horse breeder about why she think we need to have the Horse Slaughter Illegal.. and why she thinks we need to keep horses going to the slaughter house.
http://www.naiatrust.org/
Is one of the sites that she recommends me seeing.

There is also a document that is going around in emails saying that Horse Slaughtering should be put back into full swing..
What are your comments?
Karen

[karenkarenn]

This is what I was sent through my email:


HB 418 UPDATE: IMPORTANT


Hello-

HB418 has made it out of the Ag Committee, and is scheduled to be voted on in the House of Representatives on Thursday, February 26, 2009. The efforts of all of you should be commended. Support for the bill was five to one at the hearing and they received over 15,000 emails and letters in support of it – good job everyone on getting your voice heard!

Our representatives are being bombarded by PETA and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). It is important that we get our side of the story out to the public in response to the PETA and HSUS effort. HSUS is right now asking all of their members to call the Governor's office to say they wouldn't visit a state that allows horse slaughter. This is what we need to do as a grassroots effect. Call your brother, sister, cousin or college friend you haven't talked to in awhile. Explain to them how important it is to our industry that we have the horse slaughter option. Have everyone in their office or neighborhood call the Governor Schweitzer's office at 1-406-444-3111, and let them know of their support for this option (HB418) and how they would LIKE to visit Montana. If we can get a large number of people to do this, you will be surprised at the effect it will have.

After Katrina, HSUS raised a reported 34 million dollars to help care for and reunite dogs and cats with their owners. When they only spent $600,000 on cat and dog shelters, the Louisiana Attorney General's office conducted an 18 month long investigation and found that only 7 million dollars could be accounted for of the raised 34 million. It was determined that the 7 million dollars had not even been used for Katrina relief. The remaining 27 million was never accounted for.

The Unwanted Horse Council is a nationwide organization neutral to horse slaughter, and uses its resources to educate the American public about the situation of the unwanted horse and means of care for these horses. The American Quarter Horse Association as well as other pro-horse slaughter groups are members of this council. Several anti-horse slaughter groups are also members of this council, but the HSUS has refused to join or donate money to the Unwanted Horse Council.

The HSUS spends millions of dollars to legislate against horse slaughter, yet they do not spend a dime to help control the problem of unwanted horses or help remedy the situation. It makes you wonder if they really care for the horse at all! We need to get these facts out to our urban friends and non-livestock people. We need to tell the public what HSUS really is!

Write or e-mail your representative and tell them how important the horse slaughter option is for our livestock industry and the problem of unwanted horses. Those of you that live in urban areas especially need to do this as these are the votes we need to get the bill passed.

I have attached contact e-mails for all representatives and a letter you can sign yourself or use as a reference to write your own. Most importantly: we must act on this now!

The American Quarter Horse Association and the Montana Quarter Horse Association thank you for your active efforts and with all this continued support we know that we can make a difference. Please send this e-mail to ten other horse people!



Best Regards,

Stan Weaver, President Montana Quarter Horse Association

[springboro]

Karen, I respectfully request that you put this post where in belongs... in the HORSES IN NEED section.

From past experience, this has to be one of the most contentious and devisive topics on this board, and I for one can't bear the thought or energy for another battle.

Please, for those of you who want and enjoy the thrill of an arguement and flamewar, take it to the HORSES IN NEED section.

Moderators? HELP?

[ireneinwa]

Riding for a horse trader/kill buyer when I was young, Horse Slaughter should remain illegal as it is.....no question. As far as the horses that are abused, as in not properly cared for, starving etc....The owner should be prosecuted and pay fines to pay back the county for the humane euthanization.

Simple solution.....The pound puts unwanted , uncared for cats and dogs down on a regular daily basis. Why not the unwanted, uncared for equine???? Make the people pay for their responsibility not the HORSE by having it slaughtered for human benifit.....

[ireneinwa]

I just called the governors office and left my option. Hope it helps!

[karenkarenn]

Springboro-
Sorry about that. I just wanted to know people different opinions on this. I didnt want to make it a war---- just like a warm and fuzzy " what s your opinion" and because I didnt post it on the "Horses in Need" - I rarely get any response.
Again,,, SORRY!
Now If I knew how to move it I would...
Karen

[Laurierace]

Riding for a horse trader/kill buyer when I was young, Horse Slaughter should remain illegal as it is.....no question. As far as the horses that are abused, as in not properly cared for, starving etc....The owner should be prosecuted and pay fines to pay back the county for the humane euthanization.

Simple solution.....The pound puts unwanted , uncared for cats and dogs down on a regular daily basis. Why not the unwanted, uncared for equine???? Make the people pay for their responsibility not the HORSE by having it slaughtered for human benifit.....

Not that I disagree with what you are saying, but you stated a common misconception that I wanted to clarify. Horse slaughter is NOT illegal in the US. God how I wish it was because that would mean that the federal ban was passed which included language banning the exportation of horses for the purpose of slaughter. The way it stands now there is no ban, there just aren't any open plants so the kill buyers are free to cross the borders in droves where there is little in terms of humane slaughter standards. The way it is now is considerably worse than when horses were being slaughtered her under the watch of the USDA inspectors.

[karenkarenn]

Laurierace
You know that reminds me of someone here in town. He buys horses for cheap, shortly after they arrive they either get pigeon fever or strangles. He doesnt call the vet but he send them in a cattle hauller to Utah, to go to a feeding lot and then exportation.

I dont mean to sound mean... really I dont. But I have tasted horse meat ( when it doesnt have any diseases) and its good, but on that aspect I dont think that I could eat tainted or deseased meat.
Karen

[griff]

You have been eating tainted and deseased meat all your life if you have eaten fast food hamburgers from Brazel or Australia or other countries that export hamburger to us..

We have a Vet at ever stock yard and if a cow comes in with cancer eye it gets branded and not allowed for human consumption.. What do you think happens to that cow when it enters a slaughter house in another country that sends hamburger to the USA?

griff

[ratherrapid]

should this board, in view of what closing the plants has done to horses, possibly distinguish between discussing horse slaughter issues generally and "horses in need" posts soliciting money?

[Tucumcari]

I would support humane slaughter. It's better than what people are doing as an alternative.

[karenkarenn]

Rather
In the risk of sounding stupid, what exactly do you mean?