GAO Horse Slaughter Report 2011

GAO Issues its Horse Slaughter Report

Jun 23, 2011

Courtesy of  Laura Allen

Animal Law Coalition

The Government Accountability Office has issued its report, GAO 11-228, on action needed to address unintended consequences of the 2007 closing of domestic slaughter facilities. A principal recommendation: "Congress may wish to consider instituting an explicit ban on the domestic slaughter of horses and export of U.S. horses intended for slaughter in foreign countries."

A bill, S.B. 1176, is already pending in the Senate that would do just that.

 (More)

Tax Payer Funding of Horse Slaughter goes sto Vote this Week!

On May 30^th, the House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to the FY2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill that prevents your tax dollars from being used to fund inspections of horse slaughter facilities. This bipartisan language has been included in every Agriculture Appropriations bill since 2005. Without this important provision, foreign investors will be able to reestablish horse slaughter in the U.S. at the expense of taxpayers, our own food safety, and the welfare of horses.

The full House of Representatives will vote on the FY12 Agriculture Appropriations bill this Wednesday, June 15. An amendment may be offered to remove the Committee-approved language prohibiting the USDA from spending your tax dollars to inspect horse slaughter facilities. Maintaining the USDA language defunding inspections of horse slaughter facilities as currently included is vital to protecting our horses. It is critical that you call TODAY and urge your legislator to strongly OPPOSE ANY amendment to restore horse slaughter.

Please call your Representative immediately, urging opposition to any attempt to restore horse slaughter. 

You can call the main Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative's office by your state and zip code.

American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011,

Jun 10, 2011
By Laura Allen
Animal Law Coalition
WFLF Lifetime Equine Refuge BOD

Just as U.S. Representatives Jim Moran (D-VA) and Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) are calling for an end to horse slaughter, a bill to make that happen is introduced in the Senate. Here is what Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the sponsors, have released about this bill:

The Problem: Somewhere between 60,000 and 100,000 horses/year are exported from the United States each year with the intent to slaughter for human consumption.
There are no horse slaughterhouses in the United States, and there is not a demand for horse meat in the United States. Two out three Americans believe the practice of horse slaughter is unnecessary and inhumane. Transport to foreign slaughterhouses is lengthy and cruel.

Horses in the United States differ from other livestock in that they have never been raised for the purpose of slaughter. As such, they are frequently treated with drugs that are toxic when ingested by humans and not approved for use in animals raised for human consumption.

Additionally, we have no system in the United States to track which medications a horse has received throughout its lifetime, which makes horse meat a serious food safety/American food export risk.
The Solution: 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 bill, filed on June 9, already has a number of co-sponsors.

(more)

Senate Reintroduces Bill to Permanently Ban Horse Slaughter

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Washington, D.C. -- A bill to ban horse slaughter was reintroduced in the United States Senate today. Sponsored by Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the "American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011" will end the slaughter of American horses here and, most urgently, will stop these horses from being exported abroad for slaughter. The sponsors, who have long championed the cause, have the bipartisan support of 14 colleagues who are co-sponsoring the bill.

"As a lifelong horse lover and rider, this practice is appalling to me, and more importantly, the majority of Americans oppose it. We raise and train horses to trust us, perform for us, and allow us on their backs, and as such, they deserve to be treated with human compassion. When horse owners are faced with the sad reality of having to put their animals down, it should be by humane euthanasia," said Senator Landrieu. "I intend to work with Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina and my other colleagues to get this bill passed and permanently end the slaughter of our American horses."

Defunding Roll Call

Where do your representatives stand on defunding horse slaughter?

Ert  – YES

       – NO

Harold D. Rogers, KY

C.W. Bill Young, FL

Jerry Lewis, CA

Frank Wolf, VA

Jack Kingston, GA

Rodney Frelinghuysen, NJ

Tom Latham, IA

Jo Ann Emerson, MO

Kay Granger, TX

Michael K. Simpson, ID

John Abney Culberson, TX

Ander Crenshaw, FL

Denny Rehberg, MT

John R. Carter, TX

Rodney Alexander, LA

Ken Calvert, CA

Jo Bonner, AL

Steve LaTourette, OH

Tom Cole, OK

Jeff Flake, AZ

Mario Diaz-Balart, FL

Charles Dent, PA

Steve Austria, OH

Cynthia Lummis, WY

Tom Graves, GA

Kevin Yoder, KS

Steve Womack, AR

Alan Nunnelee, MS

  

Norm Dicks, WA

Marcy Kaptur, OH

Pete Visclosky, IN

Nita Lowey, NY

Jose Serrano, NY

Rosa DeLauro, CT

Jim Moran, VA

John Olver, MA

Lucille Roybal-Allard, CA

Sam Farr, CA

Jesse Jackson, IL

Steve Rothman, NJ

Sanford Bishop, GA

Barbara Lee, Ca

Adam Schiff, CA

Mike Honda, CA

Betty McCollum, MN

Moran Amendment to Ban Horse Slaughter Passes!!

Moran Amendment to Ban Horse Slaughter Attached to Agricultural Appropriations Bill
  
      Language to halt USDA inspections, certification of slaughter facilities

Washington, DC – Congressman Jim Moran, Northern Virginia Democrat, successfully included an amendment to the Fiscal Year ’12 Agricultural Appropriations Act to eliminate funding for USDA inspection of horsemeat. By defunding federal inspections, the amendment will prevent the cruel practice of horse slaughter in the United States.

“Industrial slaughter of horses should not be condoned by the United States Government,” said Rep. Moran. “We have to put an end once and for all to this practice. These animals are a proud symbol of the American West, treasured by all for their beauty and majesty. They deserve to be cared for, not killed for foreign consumption.”

Identical language was overwhelmingly approved in 2006 and has been included in the Agricultural Appropriations bill every year when introduced in subcommittee. This year the language had been stripped out and the Moran amendment sought to reinstate it.

A ban on USDA inspections halts the issuance of certifications for horsemeat exports, which has stopped operations at horse slaughter facilities and prevented new facilities from opening. In addition to improving U.S. animal welfare, the Moran amendment will reduce federal spending by $5 million each year. The FY’12 Appropriations Act now heads to the floor for a full vote by the House of Representatives.

The amendment has received the support of the Animal Welfare Institute and the Humane Society of the United States.

“Adding millions of dollars to the federal budget to inspect foreign-owned horse slaughter plants would have been a step backwards for America’s iconic horses and a waste of tax dollars,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. “We are grateful to Congressman Jim Moran for leading the charge to restore this critical horse protection provision, and to the House Appropriations Committee for reining in this multi-million-dollar subsidy that would paved the way for the needless killing of American horses for foreign gourmands.”

Moran has a long history of animal protection advocacy. He currently serves as the co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Animal Protection Caucus. Moran received the Humane Society’s highest award in 2010 for championing the Truth in Fur Labeling Act, enacted in February 2011, which requires accurate labeling on all fur garments. During his time in Congress, Representative Moran has led the charge on a number of issues related to the protection of animals, including the successful passage of the Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act of 2010.

To read more on Rep. Moran’s efforts to protect animal welfare, please visit: http://moran.house.gov/issues_animal.shtml


 ###

Urgent call to Action

Please watch this 1 minute PSA then call your representatives first thing Tuesday May 31st!

Legislation voted on Tuesday that could fund horse slaughter in the U.S. with your tax dollars

Call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-2131 or the Committee's number at (202) 225-2638.
(202) 225-2771 for Republicans
(202) 225-3481 for Democrats


There is an amendment that will be introduced by Mr. Moran. Please call the committee members and ask them to support this amendment.

FAXES APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE;

JERRY LEWIS- CA-  202-225-6498

SAM FARR- CA- 202-225-6791                               

KEN CALVERT -CA-  202-225-2004

MIKE HONDA- CA- 202-225-2699

LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD, CA- 202-226-0350

ADAM SCHIFF- CA- 202-225-5828

BARBARA LEE-CA-  202-225-9817

SUPPORT the amendment that will be offered restoring the defund language to ensure horse slaughter does not resume!

Agriculture Appropriations:
Retain Language Defunding Federal Inspection of Horse Meat and Horses for Slaughter for Human Consumption

Bottom line: Tell them you do not support funding inspections for horse slaughter.

Toll free numbers:
1-866-220-0044
1-877-851-6437
1-877-762-8762
These numbers are provided for public use by non government groups and as such may change at any time. They ring through to the capital switchboard where you can ask for the legislators by name.

Details: http://www.savingamericashorses.org/Urgent%20message%20STOP%20U.S.%20Government%20from%20FUNDING%20Horse%20Slaughter.pdf

California Phone Numbers

District	Name	Party	Room	Phone	Committee Assignment
1	Thompson, Mike	D	231 CHOB	202-225-3311	Ways and Means Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
2	Herger, Wally	R	242 CHOB	202-225-3076	Ways and Means
3	Lungren, Daniel E.	R	2313 RHOB	202-225-5716	House Administration, Chairman Homeland Security Judiciary
4	McClintock, Tom	R	428 CHOB	202-225-2511	Budget Natural Resources
5	Matsui, Doris O.	D	222 CHOB	202-225-7163	Energy and Commerce
6	Woolsey, Lynn	D	2263 RHOB	202-225-5161	Education and the Workforce Science, Space, and Technology
7	Miller, George	D	2205 RHOB	202-225-2095	Education and the Workforce
8	Pelosi, Nancy	D	235 CHOB	202-225-4965	Democratic Leader
9	Lee, Barbara	D	2267 RHOB	202-225-2661	Appropriations
10	Garamendi, John	D	228 CHOB	202-225-1880	Armed Services Natural Resources
11	McNerney, Jerry	D	1210 LHOB	202-225-1947	Science, Space, and Technology Veterans' Affairs
12	Speier, Jackie	D	211 CHOB	202-225-3531	Homeland Security Oversight and Government Reform
13	Stark, Fortney Pete	D	239 CHOB	202-225-5065	Ways and Means
14	Eshoo, Anna G.	D	205 CHOB	202-225-8104	Energy and Commerce
15	Honda, Mike	D	1713 LHOB	202-225-2631	Appropriations Budget
16	Lofgren, Zoe	D	1401 LHOB	202-225-3072	House Administration Judiciary Science, Space, and Technology
17	Farr, Sam	D	1126 LHOB	202-225-2861	Appropriations
18	Cardoza, Dennis	D	2437 RHOB	202-225-6131	Agriculture Foreign Affairs
19	Denham, Jeff	R	1605 LHOB	202-225-4540	Natural Resources Transportation and Infrastructure Veterans' Affairs
20	Costa, Jim	D	1314 LHOB	202-225-3341	Agriculture Natural Resources
21	Nunes, Devin	R	1013 LHOB	202-225-2523	Ways and Means Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
22	McCarthy, Kevin	R	326 CHOB	202-225-2915	Majority Whip Financial Services
23	Capps, Lois	D	2231 RHOB	202-225-3601	Energy and Commerce
24	Gallegly, Elton	R	2309 RHOB	202-225-5811	Foreign Affairs Judiciary
25	McKeon, Buck	R	2184 RHOB	202-225-1956	Armed Services, Chairman Education and the Workforce
26	Dreier, David	R	233 CHOB	202-225-2305	Rules, Chairman
27	Sherman, Brad	D	2242 RHOB	202-225-5911	Financial Services Foreign Affairs
28	Berman, Howard	D	2221 RHOB	202-225-4695	Foreign Affairs Judiciary
29	Schiff, Adam	D	2411 RHOB	202-225-4176	Appropriations Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
30	Waxman, Henry	D	2204 RHOB	202-225-3976	Energy and Commerce
31	Becerra, Xavier	D	1226 LHOB	202-225-6235	Ways and Means
32	Chu, Judy	D	1520 LHOB	202-225-5464	Judiciary Small Business
33	Bass, Karen	D	408 CHOB	202-225-7084	Budget Foreign Affairs
34	Roybal-Allard, Lucille	D	2330 RHOB	202-225-1766	Appropriations
35	Waters, Maxine	D	2344 RHOB	202-225-2201	Financial Services Judiciary
36	Harman, Jane -- Vacancy	D	2400 RHOB	202-225-8220
37	Richardson, Laura	D	1330 LHOB	202-225-7924	Homeland Security Transportation and Infrastructure
38	Napolitano, Grace	D	1610 LHOB	202-225-5256	Natural Resources Transportation and Infrastructure
39	Sanchez, Linda	D	2423 RHOB	202-225-6676	Ethics Judiciary Veterans' Affairs
40	Royce, Ed	R	2185 RHOB	202-225-4111	Financial Services Foreign Affairs
41	Lewis, Jerry	R	2112 RHOB	202-225-5861	Appropriations
42	Miller, Gary	R	2349 RHOB	202-225-3201	Financial Services Transportation and Infrastructure
43	Baca, Joe	D	2366 RHOB	202-225-6161	Agriculture Financial Services
44	Calvert, Ken	R	2269 RHOB	202-225-1986	Appropriations Budget
45	Bono, Mary	R	104 CHOB	202-225-5330	Energy and Commerce
46	Rohrabacher, Dana	R	2300 RHOB	202-225-2415	Foreign Affairs Science, Space, and Technology
47	Sanchez, Loretta	D	1114 LHOB	202-225-2965	Armed Services Homeland Security
48	Campbell, John	R	1507 LHOB	202-225-5611	Budget Financial Services
49	Issa, Darrell	R	2347 RHOB	202-225-3906	Oversight and Government Reform, Chairman Judiciary
50	Bilbray, Brian P.	R	2410 RHOB	202-225-0508	Energy and Commerce
51	Filner, Bob	D	2428 RHOB	202-225-8045	Transportation and Infrastructure Veterans' Affairs
52	Hunter, Duncan D.	R	223 CHOB	202-225-5672	Armed Services Education and the Workforce Transportation and Infrastructure
53	Davis, Susan	D	1526 LHOB	202-225-2040	Armed Services Education and the Workforce

Feb 4th Deadline for MA Bill Survival!

Dear Friends,

Please see the message below from our Americans Against Horse Slaughter MA State Coordinator and take action for our horses.

MA State residents are asked to note the Friday 2/4 deadline for gaining cosponsors for the bill. Cosponsors are absolutely necessary for the bill's survival.
We're appealing to Massachusetts residents to call their state Reps/Senators and to be persistent in their request for cosponsoring.

Thanks for forwarding.

For the horses!

Katia Louise
Americans Against Horse Slaughter, California & Western Regional Coordinator


To: Our Massachusetts Equine and Animal Rescue community, and all animal lovers . . .

Thanks for distributing this action request to your members, this bill on Beacon Hill has
until FEBRUARY 4th to gain cosponsors for it!

1. Find your state Rep and Senator here:
 http://www.malegislature.gov/People/FindMyLegislator

2. Call their offices and ask them both to support and cosponsor SD 228 by Senator Stephen Brewer, a state bill banning horse slaughter for human consumption (and related bulk transport) in Massachusetts.

3. Politely remind your MA Rep/Senator that you are a constituent of theirs, and ask them to contact Brewer's staffer Alicia G. Bandy to sign on as a cosponsor promptly.
Alicia is Deputy Chief of Staff & Legislative Director for the Office of bill sponsor Senator Stephen Brewer at (617) 722-1540,  fax (617) 722-1078
Alicia.Bandy@masenate.gov

And thanks too for forwarding this to all of your Massachusetts friends. Our horses need everyone's help!
A copy of the bill is attached.
Thanks!

Kathryn Webers
Massachusetts State Coordinator, Americans Against Horse Slaughter

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

MA Residents: Call State Senators to Co-Sponsor Horse Slaughter Ban

MA Residents: Call State Senators to Co-Sponsor Horse Slaughter Ban

By Laura Allen

Animal Law Coalition

Massachusetts state Sen. Stephen Brewer plans to introduce and sponsor the attached bill, Senate Docket 228, to ban horse slaughter for human consumption in Massachusetts.

The bill was drafted by Equine Welfare Alliance and Animal Law Coalition working with the Massachusetts state chapter of Americans Against Horse Slaughter.

If you are a Massachusetts resident, please contact your state senator whom you can find by going to this site:  http://www.malegislature.gov/people/findmylegislator   Ask your state senator to co-sponsor the bill to ban horse slaughter by contacting Sen. Brewer's aide, Alicia Bandy at Alicia.Bandy@masenate.gov or Phone: 617-722-1540/Fax: 617-722-1078. Do not contact Ms. Bandy yourself; have your state senator contact her. She only wants to hear from state senators interested in co-sponsoring the ban. The deadline for obtaining co-sponsors is Feb. 4, 2011! So there is no time to waste.

While a ban on horse slaughter for human consumption in Massachusetts will not end the slaughter of American horses elsewhere, it will certainly protect horses in Massachusetts and prevent sale and shipment of horses from Massachusetts for slaughter for human consumption. The bill would also prevent buyers from shipping horses for slaughter through the commonwealth. More than anything, this bill will send a message to Congress and the President that Massachusetts supports a federal ban on this arcane and cruel practice of horse slaughter.

Talking Points:

1. Horses are our companions and pets; they helped build this country and still work in the military and law enforcement and, provide entertainment in horse racing, shows and other sports and exhibitions. Horses are not raised for food in the U.S.

2. The slaughter of horses simply cannot be made humane: Dr. Lester Friedlander, DVM & former Chief USDA Inspector, told Congress in 2008 that the captive bolt used to slaughter horses is simply not effective. Horses, in particular, are very sensitive about anything coming towards their heads and cannot be restrained as required for effective stunning. Dr. Friedlander stated, "These animals regain consciousness 30 seconds after being struck, they are fully aware they are being vivisected." The Government Accountability Office and dozens of veterinarians and other witnesses have confirmed that ineffective stunning is common and animals are conscious during slaughter.

3. The FDA does not regulate American horsemeat as food because there is no market for it in the U.S. and most importantly, horsemeat is dangerous, if not deadly, for humans to consume. Horses are given all manner of drugs, steroids, de-wormers and ointments throughout their lives. Horses are not tracked and typically may have several owners. A kill buyer has no idea of the veterinary or drug history of a horse taken to slaughter, and many of the most dangerous drugs have no or a very long withdrawal period. A typical drug given routinely to horses like aspirin, Bute, is a carcinogen and can cause aplastic anemia in humans. Bute is banned in all food producing animals and there is no withdrawal period.

4. The availability of slaughter actually increases the numbers of excess horses on the market. Slaughter creates a salvage or secondary market that encourages overbreeding. Banning slaughter would reduce the number of excess horses. Slaughter is not "an alternative" for so called unwanted horses or horses in need. Slaughter is a for profit industry driven by a demand for horsemeat, and has nothing to do with the numbers of excess or unwanted horses. Slaughter actually encourages overbreeding and adds to the problem of horses in need. The USDA has confirmed more than 92% of horses that end up at slaughter are healthy; they are not unwanted, neglected or abused. Horses are in need right now because of the economy and, in fact, slaughter is still available which is further proof that lack of slaughter does not result in excess or unwanted horses. Just the opposite!

For more information: log onto ;http://www.animallawcoalition.com/horse-slaughter/article/1519

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.

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.

The Lakota people of Pine Ridge South Dakota continue their struggle to protect their Sacred Horses from the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council and the Parks and Recreation Department

Statement by David Swallow, Jr., Wowitan Yuha Mani

Teton Lakota Spiritual Leader, Sun dance Chief of the Medicine Wheel Sun dance, and a Headman of the Lakota Nation Band of Wana Way Gu (Broken Bow)

*For Immediate Release

Statement Date; May 8th 2010
Transcribed To and edited by Keith Rabin  

Hau, Mitakuyapi Na Mita Kola.

Mitakuyapi Sunka Wakan Oyate
Lakota Nation, Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota

The Lakota people of Pine Ridge South Dakota continue their struggle to protect their
Sacred Horses from the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council and the Parks and Recreation Department.

Since June 2009, the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council and the Parks and Recreation (OSTPR) have been removing horses owned by the Lakota People of Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota without permission, without notice and without any warrant issued or receipt. Despite repeated efforts, continued obstacles have made it impossible for the Lakota People to get their horses back. 
The horses were to be delivered to the St. Onge Livestock Company LTD by the OSTPR to be auctioned off on Sunday, 5/9/10 as loose horses.

In A statement from Elder and Spiritual leader David Swallow, on May 7, 2010, based on the grounds of trespassing on private property, a temporary injunction was granted by the Tribal Court to stop the "Oglala Sioux Tribe “Parks and Recreation Department” from auctioning off these horses on 5/9/10 [Mothers Day]. (Further details regarding the injunction to follow early next week).  

The " Mitakuyapi Sunka Wakan Oyate " is working to establish a designated fund where supporters will be able to donate funds to help return these Sacred horses to the safety and care of The People. Supporters are encouraged not to send any money at this time.
Please watch for updates as to how to help.

 
Mitakuyapi Sunka Wakan Oyate (Relatives of the Sacred Horses)
Lakota Nation, Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota

Our Horses are sacred to us and they are our relatives. 
We are family and we take care of each other and help each other in times of need. 
That is the Lakota way.

Media contact and liaison for Dave Swallow: Keith Rabin  rockartist1@q.com
General information: Atashnaa Werner info@thebuffaloheartproject.org

MO Pro Slaughter Bill Still Alive!!

By Laura Allen
Animal Law Coalition
 
Update May 7, 2010:  The pro-horse slaughter provisions from Missouri H.B. 1747, that were sneakily buried in S.B. 795, an unrelated bill, were NOT withdrawn or removed by amendment from S.B. 795 on May 5 as previously reported.

At least 1 anti-slaughter lobbyist at the Capitol that day was given to understand the pro-slaughter provisions had been removed prior to the House vote on the bill. That was not true.  Also, last week state Sen. Dan Clemens said there would be no further legislative progress on H.B. 1747, the pro-horse slaughter bill, leading citizens to believe the bill was dead for this session. In the meantime, the pro-horse slaughter provisions were simply quietly buried in S.B. 795.

The Missouri House of Representatives debated the House Committee Substitute version of S.B. 795 this past week amidst a strong public outcry against the horse slaughter provisions buried in the bill. The pro-slaughter provisions were originally in H.B. 1747 introduced by state  Rep. James Viebrock. For more on this and how these provisions came to be buried in S.B. 795, read Animal Law Coalition's reports below.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
S.B. 795 is currently in a conference committee because the Senate has refused to concur in the House Committee Substitute which passed the House with amendments, including the pro-horse slaughter provisions. If you live in Missouri, find your state senator here and urge them to reject the pro-horse slaughter provisions from H.B. 1747 that are buried in S.B. 795.   Find Missouri Senate leaders here (just click on their names) and a list of all Missouri state senators here.
Contact Missouri's Governor Jay Nixon and First Lady Georganne Nixon. Here is more contact info for the governor:

Office of Governor Jay Nixon
P.O. Box 720
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(573) 751-3222

Tell them horse slaughter is cruel and inhumane and has no place in American culture!

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

Attack on the Innocence of the Sacred Horses of the First Nations People

WFLF Saving America's Horses stands together with the people of the First Nations.  A Nation Betrayed is a nation of horses and a nation of all people. The root of this situation reaches deep into the hearts of all those who respect and appreciate the horse and our planet Earth.

The below statement describes the situation as of May 3, 2010 by Elder David Swallow Wowitan Yuha Mani, Porcupine, South Dakota - The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

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Statement by David Swallow, Jr., Wowitan Yuha Mani
Teton Lakota Spiritual Leader, Sun dance Chief of the Medicine Wheel Sun dance, and a Headman of the Lakota Nation Band of Wana Way Gu (Broken Bow)

Statement Date; May 3rd 2010
Transcribed To and edited by Keith Rabin and Allison Gutirrez-Bundy

Hau, Mitakuyepi na Mita Kola.  [ Hello.  Greetings my relatives and my friends. ]

My name is Dave Swallow Jr.  My Lakota name is Wowitan Uha Mani, Walks With Pride.  I'm a Lakota. I live on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation [South Dakota].  I was born and raised there.  Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is The United States Prisoner of War Camp Number 344.  That's where I was born and raised.

We are the People of the  Lakota, Nakota and Dakota People. We have adopted the Sacred Horse, [ Sunka Wakan ] into our nation and into our families. It is part of who we are. It is hard in our ways to remember our lives with out our Horses. They are part of our family. We give them names and honor them. They take part in our ceremonies. They are part of our lives, not only for transportation but also the Sunka Wakan help heal our minds, bodies and spirits. 

Sunka is the Lakota word for "dog". Before the horse, Sunka helped us with our transportation. They also are our family members. When Sunka Wakan, the "Sacred Horse" came, it became a blessing a gift from our Creator to be forever in our lives.

Today, our grandchildren and children still need the Sunka Wakan for our healings of body, mind and spirit. Some of  the grandparents and parents save their money for months just to buy a colt, a Sunka Wakan for their children and grandchildren. This keeps our children and grandchildren away from alcohol, drugs and gang activities. This why we need our Sunka Wanka is part of our families.

But today, in 2010, the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council at the Pine Ridge Agency created their own laws against the People of the Reservations and one of these new laws is against our Sacred Horse [ Sunka Wakan ].  Two Councilmen from the Porcupine District of the Pine Ridge have spear headed this law. The whole Tribal Council supports it. Without asking the People on the Pine Ridge Reservation to whom they are to represent, they created new Park Ranger positions on the Reservation to confiscate the People's horses, impound the Sacred Horses of the People and then charge the owners an outrageous amount of money to get their horses back. It seems they have no intent to return the Horses to the People.

Every other foreign nation conquered by the United States has received huge efforts towards rehabilitation and rebuilding.  Yet, while the U.S. cries about 20% unemployment, we have 80% unemployment.  We remain isolated and have living conditions which are as bad as or worse than any “third world country.”  Our life expectancy is only 48 years old for men and 52 years old for women. 

On March 2, 1889, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America established the Reservations. They said we are to live here on the Reservations, hunt and fish without any permits and the Reservations were established as "Open Range" without any fences.

It seems to the " The People" [ The Lakota Oyate ] that the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council has forgotten these rules set by the Senate of the United States of America and has taken upon itself some goal of not only hurting the Horse itself but the People and the families of the Lakota People .

This is a Reservation. We are NOT living in a park or a National park. It is the land of the People. We already have the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Police, the Oglala Sioux Tribal (OST) Public Safety Law Enforcement,  the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Marshals watching over us. I believe we Lakota Oyate have enough jurisdiction watching over us . Now come the Oglala Sioux Park Rangers, confiscating our Sacred Horses and arresting us if we don't cooperate. The Oglala Sioux Park Rangers are selling our horses to local ranchers (who then sell them to slaughter houses for slaughter) or the OST Rangers sell our horses directly to slaughter houses. THIS NEEDS TO BE STOPPED AND RETURN OUR Sacred Horses returned back to the People.
We are the People of the Sacred Horse. It is as much to our lives as your cars and trucks are to yours.

We have a treaty council, a council of elders, all kinds of councils but none of them are effective.  The government and state have kept us hungry and distracted with their projects which accomplish very little. 

But they need to know.  If we are to survive, people need to understand.  When we’re talking about the Black Hills, it’s not just the land that was lost but our way of life.  It’s not just money.  Money is the least important thing.  We have lost our way of life.

When we talk about the Sacred Horses, It is not about only Horses it is about everything. 

Ho he’cetu yelo, I have spoken these words.

David Swallow, Wowitan Yuha Mani

Porcupine, South Dakota - The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

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 Pro Horse Slaughter Bill is Dead for this Session!

Posted Jan 24, 2010 

by Laura Allen 

Animal Law Coalition

Update April 30: Following on the heels of Tennessee state Rep. Frank Niceley's announcement that he will withdraw his pro-horse slaughter bill, the chair of the Missouri Senate Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee, Sen. Dan Clemens, has stated "there will be no further legislative progress on H.B. 1747". H.B. 1747 is now dead for this session.
The bill was another effort by pro-horse slaughter proponents to try to defeat pending federal legislation to prohibit the slaughter of American horses, convince the American public that horse slaughter is necessary, even humane and create markets in this country for horsemeat. The bill also would have restricted all animal welfare laws.

Thoroughbreds Racing to their Death?

Thoroughbreds Racing to their Death?

Watch Jane Velez-Mitchell on HLN to learn more.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2010/04/30/jvm.racing.horse.slaughter.cnn 

About Jane Velez-Mitchell
Jane Velez-Mitchell hosts Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell, a topical event-driven show on HLN with a wide range of viewpoints.  Jane’s Man vs. Nature shows focus on pets and animal rights and in 2009, she did a segment entitled “Wild Horses Sold to Slaughter?” A veteran television news journalist, Velez-Mitchell reported for the nationally syndicated Warner Brothers/Telepictures show Celebrity Justice and regularly served as guest host for Nancy Grace, another HLN program. While working on Celebrity Justice, Velez-Mitchell's reporting earned the show two Genesis Awards from the Humane Society of the United States. As a commentator on high-profile cases, Velez-Mitchell has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and other national cable television programs. Velez-Mitchell previously spent more than a decade anchoring and reporting for KCAL-TV in Los Angeles. She also served as a reporter/anchor for eight years at WCBS-TV in New York City.  Velez-Mitchell is the recipient of a Los Angeles Emmy Award and a New York Emmy Award. The KCAL-TV newscasts she co-anchored won three Southern California Golden Mike Awards and an Emmy. She also wrote, directed and produced Dancing Through Life, an award-winning documentary.

TN Horse Slaughter Bill Dies

John Holland, founder and president of Equine Welfare Alliance, and Paula Bacon, former mayor of Kaufman, Texas, site of a now closed horse slaughter facility, both testified in opposition to Tennessee state Rep. Frank Niceley’s pro-horse slaughter bill. The bill was withdrawn following the committee hearing.

 http://www.animallawcoalition.com/horse-slaughter/article/903 

AAHS Presents A Letter to President Obama

 

Dear President Obama,

 

What would Lincoln do?

 

No matter the politics of Horse Slaughter in America , there’s one thing that both sides cannot deny, our horses are suffering daily. 

 

Mr. President, if you admired President Lincoln, then you surely must have known about his deep compassion for animals.

 

Illinois politician William Pitt Kellogg recalled: “Next to his political sagacity, his broad humanitarianism was one of his most striking characteristics.

 

Historian Charles B. Strozier noted that “ Lincoln ’s lifelong sympathy for animals...was hardly the norm for the frontier.” [1]

 

Abe Lincoln loved children and animals and often preached against cruelty to animals.

 

Did you know that when the white House stables caught fire in 1863, President Lincoln had to be restrained from entering the burning structure to rescue six trapped horses?

 

Mr. President, even you wrote about Lincoln ’s self-awareness and his humility in one of your books.  Surely, Mr. President, you must have known about his compassion for animals.

 

If you admired President Lincoln, you must have known that pardoning the Turkey each Thanksgiving is part of Lincoln’s legacy?

 

Mr. President, even the theme of your Inauguration was taken from a line in Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address:

“A New Birth of Freedom”

 

Please Mr. President, please end the suffering of our American horses and give them their freedom and the respectable quality of life they deserve. 

 

President Lincoln once said, "I am not bound to win, but I'm bound to be true. I'm not bound to succeed, but I'm bound to live up to what light I have." 

 

Be true Mr. President…  What would Lincoln do?

 

Americans’ Against Horse Slaughter

AmericansAgainstHorseSlaughter.com

 

[1] http://www.myhero.com/myhero/go/specialevents/hero.asp?hero=LBC_PetsChildren&eid=1

 

AAHS gives permission for this letter to be cross posted and forwarded. Please take a moment to send this above letter to the President.

  Thanks for all you do for the horses
Americans Against Horse Slaughter