National
Horse Protection Coalition Formed to Stop the Slaughter of American Horses for
Human Consumption
*Names
Nick Zito – Two-time Kentucky Derby Winning Trainer – as National
Spokesperson
*Calls
on Congress to pass American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act
For Immediate Release Contact Chris Heyde
October 28, 2003 (703) 836-4300
(Louisville,
KY) – To address the growing public awareness and
strong opposition to the slaughter of American horses for human consumption
overseas, a national coalition of horse industry leaders and organizations,
horse rescues and animal protection groups have formed the National Horse
Protection Coalition and named Nick
Zito, two-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer and a Director of Thoroughbred
Retirement Foundation, its national spokesperson.
“While
I’m happy to help this effort, it’s a national tragedy that we’ve even
had to form this coalition,” said Zito.
“Other than a few people who directly profit from horse slaughter and
some pro-slaughter organizations, the majority of horse racing industry
leaders and organizations want the slaughter stopped and the American
Horse Slaughter Prevention Act
enacted.”
The
Coalition’s primary focus will be to continue to educate the American public
about this issue and work to ensure the swift passage of the American Horse
Slaughter Prevention Act, legislation sponsored by Rep. John Sweeney (R-NY),
Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) and Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-KY), currently before
the House of Representatives.
Congressman
Whitfield attended the press conference to announce his support for this
legislation: "Today
we are gathered at historic Churchill Downs to announce our commitment to pass
legislation that would prohibit the U.S. slaughter of horses for human
consumption."
“When
people are told that horses are being slaughtered in the United States for
human consumption and that there are proposals for opening more slaughter
houses, they are outraged and want it stopped immediately,” says Chris
Heyde, Society for Animal Protective Legislation and Coordinator for the
Coalition. “This Coalition brings together a diverse collection of groups
and individuals dedicated to informing the American public about this industry
and ensuring the welfare of horses.”
Horses
are not raised for consumption in the U.S., so slaughterhouses must find other
ways to acquire a reliable supply. Industry middlemen, known as
“killer-buyers,” travel from auction to auction buying all types of
horses, often from unwitting sellers, until they have enough for a trip to
Texas, to where the two remaining foreign-owned plants exist, for slaughter.
Last year alone over 42,000 horses were hauled from all over the U.S.
to these plants in Texas. In
addition to these Texas plants, plans are underway for a plant to be rebuilt
in Illinois for opening in January and the possibility of new plants being
opened elsewhere has been raised.
The
lead sponsor of the legislation, Congressman Sweeney said, “As
the co-chair of the Horse Caucus and sponsor of the Horse Slaughter
legislation in Congress, I am extremely pleased that this issue is beginning
to draw national attention. While
there may be little we can do to stop this hideous business from going on
overseas, we can certainly do something about it within our own borders.
Soon, horse slaughter will be a thing of the past in the United States.
I want to thank Mr. Zito and the National Horse
Protection Coalition for lending their voices to this very worthy fight, and
want to urge all Americans to write to their Congressmen to demand they
support HR 857.”
“The
recent death of 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand has helped to raise
awareness of horse slaughter but it would be a mistake to think that Ferdinand
felt any less pain and fear than the 42,000 who were killed last year,” said
Zito. “Horses have been and
continue to be my life. I know
that Ferdinand, the horses killed last year, those who will die this year and
next year, deserve better treatment. I
am dedicated to stopping this practice.”
The
Coalition, which is open to individuals and organizations interested in ending
horse slaughter, has run ads in targeted Congressional Districts and is
preparing a national consumer advertising campaign to help educate the public
about the cruelty behind this despicable practice.
Other
organizations who are opposed to the slaughter of horses include Churchill
Downs Inc., Fasig-Tipton Co. Inc., Hanover Shoe Farm, The Breeder's Cup, The
National Thoroughbred Racing Association, New York Racing Association, New
Jersey Racing Commission, Utah Quarter Horse Association, Virginia
Thoroughbred Association, Blue Horse Charities, Thoroughbred Retirement
Foundation and the Society for Animal Protective Legislation to mention just a
few.
For more information about horse slaughter and efforts being undertaken to save horses from this terrible fate please visit: www.saplonline.org , www.bluehorsecharities.org , www.trfinc.org, www.ddal.org.
The National Horse Protection Coalition is a non-profit Washington, D.C.-based advocacy organization. The NHPC is organized to promote the legal protection of horses from inhumane slaughter, trade and transport practices.