Important reminder: Calls needed, full House votes tomorrow

IMPORTANT! Your calls are needed NOW! Please CALL the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121; ask to be connected to your state Representative's office. Tell them not to fund horse slaughter. Calls must be made today!

The full House of Representatives will vote on the AG Appropriations bill tomorrow, Tuesday, June 26. A new amendment could be offered to remove the Committee-approved language that was just added back in last week prohibiting the USDA from spending tax dollars to inspect horse slaughter facilities. Maintaining the currently included defunding language prohibits inspections of horse slaughter and is vital to protecting our horses.

Pro-slaughter supporters will be putting the pressure on, but you can urge your Representatives to stand strong and oppose any effort to remove this funding ban.

You can also find the direct contact information for your state representative here>>  http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

Right now foreign investors are pushing to reopen horse slaughter plants in the U.S. and they are using every type of trickery available to mislead the public and gain support for their objective.

Your state representatives need to hear from YOU, their constituents, to help insure that they stand strong representing your voice, your position against horse slaughter.

See why local communities across the country are up in arms trying to stop the economic and environmental devastation caused by horse slaughter -- watch the Humanitarian trailer, "IMPACT", from the landmark film, SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES A NATION BETRAYED... http://youtu.be/xjQ59Zr1A70

Got questions about the status of horse slaughter in the U.S.? Get answers: http://www.savingamericashorses.org/advocacy.html

WFLF's humane educational project, SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES is breaking the cycle of animal cruelty for America's horses by cultivating action and inspiring social change through the world's most powerful medium, cinema. SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES is an intelligent and inspiring expose that illuminates the hidden truth about the annihilation of our wild and domestic equines and its devastating impact on the economy, the environment and the future of humanity.  The film reveals how the public has been misled through a compelling presentation of irrefutable facts that enlighten, engage and empower people to make educated decisions that affect social change for the betterment of our world.

Share this email with your friends to help spread the word.

More easy ways to help>>  http://www.savingamericashorses.org/how2help.html

Most importantly, act now to make your voice count; CALL the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Ask to be connected to your state Representative's office and tell them not to fund horse slaughter.

Thank you for your continued support for this important cause.

Sincerely,

Katia Louise

Wild for Life Foundation

Saving America's Horses

PS: If you haven’t yet done so, please take a moment to sign the Pledge to help Stop Equine Cruelty. We must continue to stand strong, stay united and keep the pressure on. Change happens when we stand together to fight for America’s equines.

"Saving America's Horses" is an educational project under Wild for Life Foundation, a 501c3 volunteer based grassroots nonprofit charity dedicated to saving, preotecting and preserving equines. WFLF relies 100% on donations. EIN: 26-3052458

www.WildforLifefoundation.org

www.SavingAmericasHorses.org

Experts Calling for Horse Slaughter Ban Unite at 2012 American Equine Summit

CHATHAM, N.Y., March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Horse experts from across the country will converge on Equine Advocates Rescue & Sanctuary in Chatham, NY for the 2012 American Equine Summit on Saturday, March 31st and Sunday, April 1st with one objective -- to reverse the damage done by Congress in Nov. 2011 by mobilizing an effective grassroots movement to end the slaughter of America's horses in the US and abroad. 

The attendees will be comprised of press, lawmakers and those involved with equine welfare and the horse industry. Interested parties are encouraged to "like" Equine Advocates on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @EquineAdvocates, and for live updates during the Summit, use the following hash tag: #AES2012. 

"It's just plain wrong when lobbies for the Agriculture and Quarter Horse industries can influence members of Congress to supersede the will of the more than 80% of Americans who want a federal ban on horse slaughter," said Susan Wagner, President of Equine Advocates. "The 'eighty percenters' deserve to be heard. Instead, lawmakers controlled by special interests prevailed and gave horse slaughter proponents exactly what they wanted. It's not only egregious, it's downright un-American." 

The Summit will be opened by legendary concert promoter and horse lover, Ron Delsener. Two new speakers have been added - Dr. Caroline Betts, who will discuss the discrepancies in the 2011 GAO report on the closings of horse slaughterhouses in the US, and former US Congressman John Sweeney (R-NY), who was the primary sponsor for the successful passage of H.R. 503, the House version of the 2006 American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. 

Other speakers include Cathleen Doyle, former head of the California Equine Council and Save the Horses, John Holland, President Equine Welfare Alliance, Dr. Kraig J. Kulikowski, D.V.M., Katia Louise, director of the film, "Saving America's Horses," Victoria McCullough who helped pass Florida's "Equine Protection Act of 2010," Jo Anne Normile of Saving Baby Equine Charity and founder of CANTER and Paula Bacon, former Mayor of Kaufman, Texas who led the fight to close Dallas Crown, a horse slaughterhouse operating in Kaufman.

Said Bacon, "I believe a horse slaughter plant is among the very least desirable things a community would want. It ranks with a lead smelter plant and strip clubs, the dead opposite of economic development. A horse slaughter plant creates big, expensive environmental problems for taxpayers and stigmatizes the community as 'that place where they slaughter horses' -- and good development goes elsewhere." 

States currently trying to revive and reopen horse slaughter plants include Oregon, Missouri and Tennessee.

Founded in 1996, Equine Advocates is a non-profit equine protection organization and Horse Sanctuary based in Chatham, NY. Its mission is to rescue, protect and prevent the abuse of equines, especially through banning the slaughter of American horses, through education, investigation, rescue operations and public education. 

Email info@equineadvocates.org or call 518-245-1599 for more information.

SAVING AMERICA’S HORSES comes to the Heart of America

SAVING AMERICA’S HORSES comes to the Heart of America

Please join Wild for Life Foundation (WFLF) in bringing attention to the need for equine protection as Saving America's Horses – A Nation Betrayed premiers to viewers in the heart of America: Kansas City, MO. The film is scheduled to show at AMC Theatres KC Film Festival as part of the US/International Documentary Jubilee Showcase on Sunday, April 15th. The screening comes at a pivotal time for our horses and marks an opportunity for a large-scale exposure to the un-whitewashed truth.

You can lend your voice to help the horses by sponsoring the screening of "Saving America's Horses" in Kansas City, MO.

SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES will be showing in MO, at the AMC Kansas City Film Festival on Sunday, April 15th at 2:45PM.

With your sponsorship support we can put this issue on screen with a 20 second commercial to play at the top of all the movies in the AMC KC Film Fest for every movie goer to see. Plus depending on the level of sponsorship, your business logo can be displayed on both the AMC Film Festival and Saving America’s Horses websites; and your business name could be included in the on screen film credits in time for the public release.

Your donation will support the Filmmaker Q&A following the screening with Katia Louise, Paula Bacon, former mayor or Kaufman, TX, and Dr Lester Friedlander, DVM, former Chief USDA Inspector. Strong attendance at the KC Film Festival screening will help make our goal of public release and distribution possible; however, your support is equally appreciated in the form of whatever donation you can make to help cover screening expenses.

“SAVING AMERICA’S HORSES is a powerhouse narrative. It takes in every aspect and tells its story with intelligence and a deep-running composure.” —Paula Bacon, former Mayor Kaufman TX

Help bring more attention to the horses at the Kansas City Film Festival! Donations are tax deductible and can be made in any amount on line or by mail.

“SAVING AMERICA’S HORSES is thorough in exploring the systemic corruption that has left virtually worthless those laws such as the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act, which are supposed to protect horses.” — Laura Allen, Animal Law Coalition

ACT NOW to receive sponsor visibility on SAVING AMERICA’S HORSES promotional materials such as Posters, Brochures, Postcards and Banners at this special screening.

Sponsorship packages with YOUR BUSINESS/ ORGANIZATION LOGO begin at $500, and can include exposure for YOUR organization through SAVING AMERICA’S HORSES Posters, Postcards, Billboards, the film website and even on-screen exposure in time for public release.

ACT NOW to receive sponsor visibility for this event and beyond.

Your generous donation in any amount will help bring attention to the horses.

Donations can be made in any amount and on screen credits for individuals begin with a donation of $100.

Signups are open for volunteers who would like to help out at the SAVING AMERICA’S HORSES booth at the festival.

If you find that you are not in a position to donate right now, there is still something you can do to help the horses: share this story and network it amongst your colleagues so we can ensure a great turnout for the KC Film Festival.

Thank you for your continued support on behalf of the horses.

Saving America's Horses
Wild for Life Foundation

Contact: admin[@]savingamericashorses.org

Saving America’s Horses is an educational project under Wild for Life Foundation, a 501c3 volunteer based charity, dedicated to saving, protecting and preserving equines. Donations are tax deductible.


www.SavingAmericasHorses.org 

www.wildforlifefoundation.org

15 Things to Know about Horse Slaughter

Wild for Life Foundation is pleased to announce an all new info-graphic for the Saving America's Horses Initiative. The Team at Saving America's Horses worked together with an anonymous design team to compile the 15 most important things to know about horse slaughter, and an anonymous donor contributed the resources for the visually stimulating and cohesive design.


"It's the "data viz" as the cool kids call it and we hope to see it go viral", says Katia Louise, Director, Saving America's Horses. "15 Things to know about Horse Slaughter" puts the data that people need to know in an easy to understand way with visual displays that can be seen rather than read."



The eye catching tool can be linked and posted on to Facebook straight from the SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES movie site so that social networking groups can share it far and wide.

"Special interest groups are pushing to reopen slaughter plants across the country... There is no over-population or surplus of horses that must be dealt with via slaughter... 80% of Americans polled oppose the slaughter of horses for human consumption...  Slaughter plants caused horrific environmental problems in the communities where they were located..."


Check it out now!
http://www.savingamericashorses.org/15things.html



 ###

Never before has there been a need so great

For Immediate Release
Wild for Life Foundation
Saving America's Horses
Los Angeles, Ca 
Dec 7, 2011

Never before has there been a need so great to ban together for the greater good in the protection of one of our most precious and historic natural resources, the horse.


The recent lifting of a ban on funding for USDA inspectors at horse slaughter plants in the U.S., fueled by pro slaughter propaganda has led to a proverbial media frenzy with reports based on proponent anecdotes rather than reality, or actual fact checking.

Documented evidence of egregious violations and a lack of enforcement by the USDA in U.S. slaughterhouses led to the defunding of USDA inspections in 2007, but in the absence of federal ban on horse slaughter, our wild and domestic horses continue to be shipped across federal borders where they are slaughtered just as inhumanely to this very day.

The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011, S.B. 1176, amends the Horse Protection Act (HPA) to prohibit the sale or transport of horses or equine parts in interstate or foreign commerce with the intent of processing for human consumption. The House version of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act is known as H.R. 2966.

Regardless of why, we as a culture, are so repulsed by the thought of consuming horse flesh, and the reasons are many; if we fail to uphold our fundamental moral and social responsibilities, we are in effect dooming the fate of our own humanity.

If you are concerned about the inhumane treatment of animals, or concerned about serious threats to human health, or concerned about sustaining our environment, support Saving America's Horses. Only a federal ban can protect us from the destructive and predatory trade of horse slaughter. 

“Saving America’s Horses, A Nation Betrayed is a loud wake up call for every American,” says Laura Allen of Animal Law Coalition.  This international award winning documentary film is the single most comprehensive and compelling resource ever made available, and it features many leading equine welfare professionals in the U.S.

"The beauty of the cinematography lay in stark contrast to the dark truths that the film so painstakingly and irrefutably laid bare. The public must see this film!" —John Holland, Equine Welfare Alliance

We invite all those that wish to uphold the integrity in doing the right thing, to come stand with us. Join us in support of saving, protecting and preserving America's wild and domestic equines. Support the "Saving America's Horses" initiative and not only be part of the solution, but also take part in this powerful vehicle for change.

Sincerely,
Katia Louise
Wild for Life Foundation
Saving America's Horses

PS- You can also help by sharing Clips and telling your friends about "Saving America's Horses".

Contact your U.S. Representatives, Support our Work, Like us on Facebook, Join our Cause, Subscribe to our Blog, Get Educational Banners, Corporate Giving, On Screen Credits, Join our Team.

Link to this on line post: http://savingamericashorses.blogspot.com/2011/12/never-before-has-there-been-need-so.html

Link to PDF:  http://www.savingamericashorses.org/120711_Never_before-has_there_been_a_need_so_great.pdf

###

Senator Kohl is Key player in deciding the fate of our American Horses

 Senator Kohl is Key player in deciding the fate of our American Horses.


Dear Friends,

We are resending this urgent alert out to encourage folks to focus their efforts on Senator Kohls office. 
Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin is Chair of the Ag Appropriations Subcommittee which has jurisdiction over the USDA'S BUDGET.  Senator Kohl will play a key role in deciding whether horse slaughterhouses can reopen in the United States.

There are four major players

It is very urgent that we focus our attention on calling Senator Kohl of Wisconsin right now and ask him to please retain language in the Agriculture Appropriations Bill that bans the use of tax dollars to fund horse slaughterhouse inspections.

Please be VERY nice and factual. The opposition is factual and horse based.

Again, we must keep in mind that this action only intensifies the urgency for the federal ban.  Regardless of this amendment we must ramp up public demand for passage of the federal bill.  We need all grassroots to rise up and fight for the federal ban now.

Wisconsin Constituents, please make the call.  If you are an officer or board of director from Wisconsin business and/or with a Wisconsin University, please make the call now - (202) 224-5653

Americans Against Horse Slaughter

BLM can roundup 1,700 mustangs in Nevada after appeals court lifts injunction

Posted on Jul 19, 2011 

ASSOCIATED PRESS
SCOTT SONNER
APNewsBreak:

RENO, NV (July 19, 2011) — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management was given the green light on Tuesday to move ahead with a controversial horse roundup in Nevada when a federal appeals court lifted a temporary injunction blocking the gather of more than 1,700 mustangs.
An animal rights group, the Colorado-based Cloud Foundation, had sued to stop the roundup. A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco said the group had failed to show it likely could prove during future hearings that the roundup is illegal and that removal of horses from federally protected public rangeland would cause irreparable harm.
Critics said another disappointing loss in federal court suggested Congress may have to pass a new law to protect the mustangs because the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burros Act of 1971 doesn’t seem to be enforceable.
“We need a new law,” said Rachel Fazio, a lawyer for the Cloud Foundation who had won the temporary restraining order from a judge on the appellate court based on claims the proposed roundup was illegal.
“I think we really need to establish the fact that these animals need to be protected, need to be maintained unmolested by man. And that we mean it this time,” she told The Associated Press.
BLM spokeswoman Heather Emmons said the roundup that had been scheduled to begin last week would start on Wednesday in northeast Nevada near the Utah line — weather permitting — and continue for about six weeks.
Continue reading >>

Federal appeals judge halts NV wild-horse roundup

Federal appeals judge halts NV wild-horse roundup
MARTIN GRIFFITH, Associated Press
Updated 11:57 p.m., Friday, July 15, 2011

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A federal appeals judge on Friday night granted a temporary injunction to halt a government roundup of about 1,700 wild horses from the range in Nevada.

Judge Richard Paez of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued the order after U.S. District Judge Howard McKibben earlier in the day denied a motion to stop the federal Bureau of Land Management's removal of mustangs from public lands near the Utah line.

Paez's order will remain in effect until a three-judge panel (continued)
http://www.westport-news.com/news/article/Federal-appeals-judge-halts-NV-wild-horse-roundup-1468449.php

Life Saving Film Launches Campaign to Go Far and Wide

Americans Against Horse Slaughter
Wild for Life Foundation
For Immediate Release
June 28, 2011

Life Saving Film Launches Campaign to Go Far and Wide

“Saving America’s Horses”, a cause driven film just started the festival circuit, and has already won multiple awards including BEST OF FESTIVAL at its first showing in Los Angeles and is getting rave reviews but…... the slaughter of our American Horses may never end unless our horses are able to tell their story.

Thousands of horses are exported every year to Canada and Mexico to be slaughtered for the purpose of wealthy dinner plates overseas, but "Saving America's Horses" is the life saving film that can change all that for our American horses.

• “A powerhouse narrative.” – Paula Bacon, Former Mayor Kaufman Texas
• “A brilliant and heartbreaking exposé.” — Laura Allen, Executive Director, Animal Law Coalition
• "Masterfully presented and balanced rather than filled with graphic images." – Larry Lindner, New York Times best-selling writer and former columnist for The Washington Post and The Boston Globe
• "It’s a life changing film!"—Michael Bailey, Producer/ Director Planetviews Productions, Environmentalist
• "Transcends the finest investigative journalism... A passionate reverence for all animals" —Debra Lopez, AAHS, Animal Advocate TV

Click here to see this important message now:
http://youtu.be/5lyuEtB0Nzc

Contact:
Americans Against Horse Slaughter at aahsus[@]gmail.com about this PSA
Wild For Life Foundation at admin[@]wildforlifefoundation.org regarding the film. 

###

Calling Groups

Calling groups are being formed in support of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011.
Contact aahsus@gmail.com   if you'd like to help.
Thank you.

Return of commercial horse slaughter to the U.S.?

Calls Needed TUESDAY to STOP U.S. Government from FUNDING Horse Slaughter Business!
Return of commercial horse slaughter to the U.S.?

The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug, Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Committee has released its proposed appropriations budget for FY 2012.

The proposed bill does not include a provision de-funding inspections for horses to be slaughtered for human consumption. The proposed bill does not prohibit use of funds to inspect horses to be slaughtered for human consumption. The subcommittee report does not mention it.

It is the de-funding of these ante-mortem inspections in appropriations measures that has prohibited commercial horse slaughter for human consumption in the U.S. since 2007. Now, if the subcommittee bill passes, it could mean the return of commercial horse slaughter to the U.S.

Go here for more on the de-funding and the court decision that upheld it.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
The proposed budget bill will be voted on by the full House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 5 p.m. EST in Room 2359, Rayburn House Office Building.

This meeting will be webcast. Audio and video of the hearing will be available by clicking here. Audio only will be available by clicking here.

Call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-2131 or the Committee's number at (202) 225-2638, (202) 225-2771 for Republicans and (202) 225-3481 for Democrat members. Here are the names of committee members to ask for when you call. Go here to find the direct phone numbers of committee members and for your own U.S. representative.

Tell committee members and your own U.S. representative: Vote no on the appropriations bill unless the committee retains the language defunding inspections of horses to be slaughtered for human consumption.

Please forward this message to your friends and ask them to do the same.

Sincerely, Katia Louise
President
Wild for Life Foundation
Director, Saving America’s Horses

Laura Allen
Animal Law Attorney
BOD: Wild for Life Foundation
Advisory Board Member: Saving America’s Horses
Founder, Director: Animal Law Coalition

Link to PDF of this notice: http://www.savingamericashorses.org/Urgent%20message%20STOP%20U.S.%20Government%20from%20FUNDING%20Horse%20Slaughter.pdf

www.savingamericashorses.org

www.wildforlifefoundation.org/home.html

In Defense Of Animals Applauds Film Festival Selection Of “Saving America’s Horses”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Elliot M. Katz, DVM, 415-448-0075, emk@idausa.org

In Defense Of Animals Applauds Film Festival Selection Of “Saving America’s Horses”

Documentary’s premiere is Sunday March 27 through the Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival

Los Angeles, Calif. (March 19, 2011) – In Defense of Animals (IDA), an international animal protection organization with over 100,000 members, applauds the selection of “Saving America’s Horses – A Nation Betrayed” by the Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival. The film, directed and produced by Katia Louise, is a feature length documentary that examines the arguments made by both the proponents and opponents of horse slaughter as related to both domestic and wild equines. The film also explores environmental issues and the lethal health risks associated with the consumption of America’s horses by people.

IDA has been promoting the film to its membership throughout the past year.

What: Los Angeles premiere of “Saving America’s Horses” at the Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival

When: Sunday March 27, 2011, 12:45 p.m. – seating begins at 12:30 p.m. Ticket holders will be invited to stay for a special reception following the screening.

Where: Laemmle's Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90041

According to director/producer Katia Louise, “The film is a compelling compilation of expert testimony, undercover footage and true life stories shot against the dramatic backdrops of America’s beautiful countryside. “A Nation Betrayed” depicts a country divided and inspires great hope for the protection of all horses and burros from cruelty.”

IDA President Elliot M. Katz, DVM said “finally - a film that reveals the tragic consequences and cruelties of the horse racing industry and the horror of horse slaughter. We hope this film arouses the voices America’s horses need for their very survival.”

Michael Blake (Dances With Wolves), Randal Kleiser (Grease), Paul Sorvino (Goodfellas), Linda Gray (Dallas), Ken Wahl (Wiseguy), The Barbi Twins, and Jennifer Lee Pryor are all involved and have confirmed their appearances for this event, as has Mexican matinee idol Jorge Rivero. Food for the reception will be provided by The Veggie Grill, with wine supplied by Du Vin.

###

1 Day left to Vote and ask your questions to Obama

Posted with Courtesy of WFLF's Saving America's Horses

On Tuesday January 25 at 9 p.m. ET, President Obama will deliver his 2011 State of the Union Address, which will be streamed live on YouTube. We have submitted a question to President Obama for an exclusive YouTube Interview that will take place just two days later, on January 27. Votes are needed in order to have this question considered and addressed.

We want to know...
"What's it going to take to get you to stand behind your own commitment to protect wild and domestic horses/ equines from slaughter, (including sale authority) order a moratorium on round ups and a full judicial investigation of BLM WH & B program?"

Follow this link,  sign into your YouTube account and copy and paste part of the question above into the search box.  Please watch and vote:
http://www.youtube.com/worldview/?utm_source=changeorg&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email



For the horses and burros~
Saving America's Horses A Nation Betrayed
Wild for Life Foundation

National Call-In Day to support of the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act

Dear Friends,
Please join us by calling on Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi Tuesday, October 19th and Ask her to schedule a vote NOW on the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (H.R. 503), legislation to ban the slaughter of American horses for human consumption. Schedule the vote NOW.  Tell her she has the power to end immense suffering by scheduling the vote NOW during the remaining session of Congress THIS YEAR!  NOW is the time for her to step up and do this.  Tell Speaker Pelosi that this bill has 183 bipartisan cosponsors in the House, 28 in the Senate, and tremendous public support.

After you call Speaker Pelosi,(202) 225-0100 or her San Francisco office, (415) 556-4862, call on Senate Majority LeaderSen. Harry Reid702-388-5020 / Fax: 702-388-5030, and Assistant Majority Leader Sen. Dick Durbin(202) 224-2152 or fax (202) 228-0400to schedule a vote on the senate version, S.B. 727.  Don’t wait. Do it now. For the horses.

For more information please go to Animal Law Coalition here:

http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=-1&msgid=0&act=11111&c=295898&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.animallawcoalition.com%2Fhorse-slaughter%2Farticle%2F1443

H.R. 305 Set for Mark Up

Jul 28, 2010 

By Laura Allen 

Representatives Mark Steven Kirk (R-IL) and Steve Cohen (D-TN)  wasted no time in introducing at the start of the 111th Congress a bill, H.R. 305, Horse Transportation Safety Act, which would ban the use of double decked trailers for all horse transport.

The bill, H.R. 305, which could end cruel horse transports, has, however, been in committee ever since. Until now. The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is expected to mark up or consider the bill this week.
What You Can Do
Find committee members here and fax or call members and urge them to vote YES on H.R. 305.
Find out if your U.S. Representative is on the committee, and, if so, be sure to tell him or her that you are a constitutent! Regardless, urge your representative to support H.R. 305, the Horse Transportation Safety Act, which bans use of double decked trailers to haul horses and promotes highway safety for everyone. 
You can reach committee members, your Representative and the House leadership through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Call the committee:(202) 225-4472 or (202) 225-9446. Fax the committee: (202) 226-1270

More about the proposed law
There is a USDA regulation banning the use of double decked trailers to transport horses to slaughter. 9 CFR 88.3  But the USDA has also said it does not have the resources to enforce the regulation, giving the industry a virtual green light to continue using double decked trailers to haul horses to slaughter.  Also, the law allows horses to be hauled in double decked trailers to destinations other than slaughter houses. So, horses are routinely hauled long distances in double decked trailers to some destination close to the slaughter house. Once there, they are then transferred to another vehicle which takes them to the slaughter house.
Double decked trailers can have ceiling heights as low as 5'7". (The industry standard for vehicles to transport horses is 7'-8').  According to the USDA, an equine can be 8 feet tall when standing on all four legs and close to 12 feet tall when rearing. 
The bottom deck of a double decked trailer has 3" I Beams every 12" on center to support the top deck.
Steep and narrow ramps with metal floors cause the horses to slip and fall, causing injuries. Horses are forced to jump down into a narrow opening leading to the bottom deck; they are often injured as a result.
Because of the low ceiling heights horses cannot raise and lower their heads and necks for balance. Horses routinely throw their heads and rear, unlike cattle, hogs, goats or sheep for which these double decked trailers are designed.  Horses suffer head and back injuries because of the low ceiling height, the 3" I beams, and overhead ramp storage.
They are held on these trailers in this way for more than 24 hours at a time without food or water. Many suffer serious injuries during these arduous journeys to slaughter and are trampled and even killed.
Sometimes the upper deck collapses. There have been a number of accidents involving over full double decked trailers, most recently a horrific one in Illinois. The double decked trailer crammed with frightened Belgian horses overturned, killing 17 horses and injuring many more.

Americans Against Horse Slaughter And WFLF/Humanion Films Call On All Americans To Step Up Efforts To End Horse Slaughter

Americans Against Horse Slaughter Philadelphia, PA
For Immediate Release
July 23, 2010
 
Powerful Policy Makers join Film as speakers and cast in Humanion Film’s “Saving
America’s Horses – A Nation Betrayed”
 
Congressmen Ed Whitfield of Kentucky, House Representative Dan Burton of Indiana
and Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana have all joined the film, Saving America’s
Horses.  Producers Katia Louise and Debra Lopez have recently interviewed these
powerful policy makers for the film about their thoughts and positions regarding pending
bills that would protect America’s equines from slaughter and protect our wild horses.

Check out WFLF Humanion Films’ new “Action to End Horse Slaughter” preview clip
which includes exclusive statements by these powerful policy makers. Special
appearances in this preview additionally include Tippi Hedren of the Roar Foundation
and Neda DeMayo of Return to Freedom. This special pre-release preview clears the air
on misinformation that has been circulated by pro slaughter proponents. Learn more
about what you can do to help end this barbaric practice without further delay.

How You Can Help
 
Please Contact The Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick J. Leahy (Vermont) and all the
Senate Judiciary Committee Members (see list below) and ask them to move S727 out of
committee and on to the floor for a vote to pass The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act.

Next, contact the House Judiciary Subcommittee Members and ask them to move HR503
out of committee and onto the floor for a vote. Members:http://judiciary.house.gov/about/subcrime.html

You can also contact your U.S. representative and your two U.S. Senators and urge him
or her to vote YES on the anti horse slaughter bill by calling the Captiol Switchboard at
202-224-3121

Step up your efforts!  Watch the all new exclusive “Action to End Horse Slaughter”
preview clip from “SAVING AMERICA’S HORSES – A NATION BETRAYED”
HERE!


Senate Judiciary Committee Members

1.  Patrick J. Leahy    Vermont                       #(202) 224-4242

2.  Herb Kohl   Wisconsin                     

          #(202) 224-5653
                                                                       Fax:(202) 224-9787

3.   Dianne Feinstein  California                    #(202) 224-3841
                                                                       Fax:(202) 228-3954

4.   Russ Feingold    Wisconsin                     #(202)-224-5323

5.   Arlen Specter   Pennsylvania                    #202-224-4254
                                                                       Fax:(202)-228-1229

6.  Chuck Schumer   New York                       #202-224-6542
                                                                      Fax:(202)-228-3027

7.  Dick Durbin   Illinois                                  #(202) 224-2152
                                                                      Fax:(202)-228-0400

8.  Benjamin L. Cardin   Maryland                  #202-224-4524
                                                                       Fax:(202)-224-1651

9.  Sheldon Whitehouse    Rhode Island        #202-224-2921
                                                                        Fax:(202)-228-6362

10.  Amy Klobuchar   Minnesota                        #202-224-3244
                                                                          Fax:(202)-228-2186

11.  Ted Kaufman   Delaware                            #(202) 224-5042
                                                                           Fax:(202) 228-3075

12.    Al Franken     Minnesota                      #(202) 224-5641

13.    Jeff Sessions  Alabama                             #(202) 224-4124

14.   Orrin G. Hatch     Utah                                 #(202) 224-5251
                                                                            Fax:(202) 224-6331

15.  Chuck Grassley         Iowa                           #(202) 224-3744
                                                                            Fax:(202) 224-6020

16.   Jon Kyl       Arizona                                       #(202) 224-4521
                                                                             Fax:(202) 224-2207

17.  Lindsey Graham    South Carolina             #(202) 224-5972

18.   John Cornyn     Texas                                  #(202)-224-2934
                                                                             Fax:(202)-228-2856

19.   Tom Coburn    Oklahoma                              #(202)-224-5754
                                                                               Fax:(202)-224-6008

Judge Grants Media Access to Tuscarora Wild Horse Roundup

By Laura Allen

Animal Law Coalition

July 16, 2010

Nevada U.S. District Judge Larry Hicks has lifted the injunction prohibiting BLM from proceeding with the Tuscarora roundup. The judge has also denied plaintiff Laura Leigh's motion to delay the roundup until August, after the foaling season.
But the judge then ruled, "As to Leigh's First Amendment challenge to the closure of public lands during the gather, the court shall grant Leigh's temporary restraining order. Leigh argues that a blanket closure of 27,000 acres of public land on which the Tuscarora Gather is going to take place is a prior restraint on her First Amendment rights because she will be unable to observe and report on the health of the horses and the BLM's management of the gather. The court agrees [and]... finds that the blanket closure ... is unconstitutional". The BLM can, however, draft a "more reasonable closure".
"The court's order in no way [a]ffects the BLM's closure of the airspace above the 27,000 acres of public land. The court finds the closure of airspace to be constitutional and necessary". (A copy of the Order is attached below for downloading.)
In deciding to allow the roundup to proceed now instead of later, Judge Hicks was persuaded by BLM's last minute "review" filed yesterday by a BLM team that claims the horses dying or suffering from dehydration or water intoxication were in that condition prior to the roundup. The "review" states that a BLM contractor found Tuscarora wild horses without water and said "the next 24-78 hours is critical". BLM recommended rounding up as many horses as possible and warned of a "potentially high mortality" rate.  Horses showing signs of dehydration on the range would be left to die.
Leigh pointed out, however, that there was no mention by BLM of a drought or dehydrated horses in the Tuscarora HMAs until after her lawsuit was filed. She disputed the "hastily assembled" "review" by BLM:

The Defendants' admit they do not grasp the issue causing the high mortality rate of the horses they run into catch pens. We discover they had not calculated a drought by mid-July or that horses would run out of available water by mid-July although they had studied the probable effects of their intended Gather the several months preceding the Gather, beginning in January 2010. No other BLM document discusses or addresses "drought" for range management in the year 2010 in the Owynee, Rock Creek or Little Humboldt areas. It was in fact, only after suit was filed did these emergency conditions become newly revealed.

Leigh offered to visit the herds and attempt to verify BLM's claim a roundup must proceed immediately because of drought.
At least Leigh and other members of the media and public will be allowed to monitor BLM's roundup.
For more on this case and the Tuscarora roundup, read Animal Law Coalition's report below.
Update July 15, 2010: Nevada federal District Court Judge Larry Hicks has issued an injunction prohibiting BLM from proceeding with the Tuscarora roundup. 
The BLM had temporarily suspended its Tuscarora roundup of wild horses initiated in the intense summer heat just days ago on July 10, 2010.
BLM halted the roundup after public outcry over the deaths of horses now said to number 12 including 3 foals.
Based on BLM's representation the roundup would not begin again until Sunday, July 19, 2010, the judge set a hearing on July 14 on a motion for restraining order filed by plaintiff Laura Leigh to delay the roundup until August and compel BLM to allow access to the roundup by the media and the public.
The judge explained that he was then informed despite BLM's representation to the court, BLM Director Bob Abbey had issued an order for an "emergency" roundup of the horses prior to the hearing.  

Judge Hicks ordered, "Based on this change in the BLM's position, the court finds it necessary to grant an immediate injunction preventing the Tuscarora gathering of wild horses until further order by the court."

Go here for more on the planned Tuscarora roundup of 1,438 wild horses in the 482,191 acres of the Owyhee, Rock Creek, Little Humboldt Herd Management Areas. In proceeding with the roundup on July 10, BLM basically ignored thousands of citizens who submitted letters and emails in protest during a period of public comment on the planned roundup.
An appeal of BLM's decision to round up wild horses in the Tuscarora HMAs has been filed with the Interior Board of Land Appeals by In Defense of Animals and Craig Downer, a wildlife ecologist. BLM, however, can resume the roundup while the appeal is pending.
The dehydration, the deaths, the cruelty (cont'd)

2010 Not a Good Year for Horse Slaughter Proponents

May 17, 2010 

by Laura Allen

CHICAGO, (EWA) - Equine Welfare Alliance and Animal Law Coalition applaud the grass roots efforts in 2010 that have resulted in a series of political defeats for those who want to bring horse slaughter back to the United States.
Of course, commercial horse slaughter for human consumption remains illegal in the U.S. and no state law can change that. Nonetheless, proponents of the cruel practice have tried to use state legislatures to try to convince Americans to bring horse slaughter back to the U.S.
In Missouri, for example, a bill, H.B. 1747, introduced by state Rep. James Viebrock, purported to allow the state to register and license and even provide inspections for horse slaughter facilities. There was even talk of building a horse slaughter plant in a small town in the state. 
The bill raised a howl of opposition from horse advocates across the state and country, leading some of its sponsors to become irate to the point of returning opponents' emails unread or forwarding them en masse to one opponent. Some legislators even left harassing, intimidating messages on an opponent's voice mail. 
Although state Sen. Dan Clemons announced publicly that Viebrock's bill would progress no further, its provisions were quietly buried in another, unrelated bill, SB 795. A firestorm of public anger erupted when this underhanded tactic was discovered, and the provisions were removed.
EWA's John Holland and former Kaufman, Texas Mayor Paula Bacon testified against HB 4812 in Tennessee, a pro-horse slaughter bill. Mayor Bacon described the economic and environmental devastation a horse slaughter facility caused to her town. Holland told legislators about the declining demand for horsemeat and stepped up enforcement of EU regulations and new restrictions that will likely mean fewer and fewer American horses will be eligible for slaughter. Add to that the dangers of American horsemeat from the toxic drugs given to horses here as established in a recent study published in the peer reviewed journal, Food and Chemical Toxicology, Association of phenylbutazone usage with horses bought for slaughter: A public health risk, and, said Holland, "it would make no sense and, in fact, would be irresponsible for legislators to promote horse slaughter with this bill".  The bill was then sent for "summer study", essentially withdrawing it for the session.
Also this year, an investigation revealing the cruelty of horse slaughter horrified European consumers and caused the second largest grocer in Belgium and Holland to remove American horse meat from its shelves and a major distributor to assure customers it will only sell European horse meat.
The Carry the Kettle first nation tribe in Canada declined an offer of economic assistance to reopen the Natural Valley Farms slaughter plant in Saskatchewan. The plant had been closed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency after it was discovered dumping blood into the local river and leaving waste in shallow pits.
In Illinois, a bill aimed at repealing the state's 2007 ban on slaughter was withdrawn by its sponsor when it failed to muster support.
Florida's legislature unanimously passed legislation toughening laws against those who butcher horses, or sell or purchase horse meat. The legislation was signed into law Friday by Governor Charlie Crist.
The people of Hardin, Montana said no to a proposed horse slaughter plant in their city and even amended city ordinances to prohibit the slaughter of more than ten animals in a seven day period.
Even Jim Schwartz, director of the Wyoming Livestock Board was puzzled by a law sponsored by state Rep. Sue Wallis, that made "send to slaughter" an option for horses in the custody of the Board.  "Send to slaughter is not an option in my opinion," said Schwartz. We agree.

MO House Rejects Horse Slaughter

May 5, 2010
By Laura Allen
Animal Law Coalition

The pro-horse slaughter provisions from Missouri H.B. 1747, that were sneakily buried in S.B. 795, an unrelated bill, have now been withdrawn from S.B. 795.

The Missouri House of Representatives began debating S.B. 795 yesterday with the pro-horse slaughter provisions in the House Committee Substitute version and continued today to consider a number of amendments. The bill finally passed but without the horse slaughter provisions. The public outcry against the horse slaughter provisions was so intense legislators including the sponsor of the original pro horse slaughter bill, Rep. James Viebrock, decided not to include them in S.B. 795. Legislators received hundreds of letters, faxes and calls just since the weekend when it was discovered the provisions of H.B. 1747 had been buried in S.B. 795.

This means currently there is no bill with a hope of passing in the few remaining days of the Missouri 2010 legislative session that contains the pro-horse slaughter provisions.

Leslie Maxwell, a Missouri attorney who helped lead the fight to stop the horse slaughter bill first as H.B. 1747 and then when it was attached to S.B. 795, said, "H.B. 1747 passed the House the first time because no one really knew about it. Now these same provisions in a different bill, S.B. 795, were stopped because of the incredible public outcry from all over the country and the world."
To read this article in it's entirety, follow this link:

http://www.animallawcoalition.com/horse-slaughter/article/1160

MO buried the provisions of H.B. 1747 in another, unrelated bill, S.B. 795

Rep. Viebrock has buried the provisions of H.B. 1747 in another, unrelated bill, S.B. 795 which was approved this week by a committee and is now scheduled for a vote in the House, maybe as early as Monday, May 3, 2010. Will the pro-slaughter proponents get away with this? Write and call MO state representatives now and stop this bill, the House Committee Substitute, S.B. 795.

http://www.animallawcoalition.com/horse-slaughter/article/1160