Subject: [againstslaughter] AVMA Stance on horse
slaughter
Dear AVMA,
I find your stance on horse slaughter regarding the current bill in Congress
very sad, especially from those of us like myself who depend on those in your
organization to care for my horses and humanely take care of my other animals
that we bring to you or ask you to treat. We need to trust you
to care for our horses and our other animals, how can we do that, when you
think slaughter is an okay option? We need you to trust you to
listen to
us, to understand our animals their needs, how is that possible in our minds
when you think it is okay to slaughter our horses? Should I trust the care
of my horses to those in your organization when you publicly state that you care
so little and that slaughter is an option? That slaughtering our horses for
nothing else then a steak on a dinner plate for a wealthy European/Asian means
nothing?
"First, the bill does not adequately address the welfare of horses for
which humane slaughter will be removed as an option, nor does it establish
standards that horse rescue facilities must meet to ensure the humane care of
those horses"
Do you really see slaughter by captive bolt humane? Are your eyes closed
to the horror and fear that has been shown over and over again of the
horses that are at the slaughter plants? And what research is available
regarding the horse rescue facilities that you have studied to make the decision
that they do not meet the humane care of the horses. If you want
standards, then support the bill and ask for specific standards to meet the
levels of humane treatment that you think should be in the law. Bills can
always be amended - get your lobbyists to amend it to the standards, don't use
this as a "lame argument!
"Second, the bill does not adequately address funding for humane care. The
number of unwanted horses sent for humane slaughter may overwhelm the ability of
the current network of horse protection facilities to care for them."
For the above argument I can only say look at the statistics of the number of
horses slaughtered over the last 5 years - I think you might find the number has
greatly reduced - where did all those EXTRA horses go over the years ? Perhaps
they were absorbed by those looking for horses? Perhaps if we didn't have
slaughter and those wanting that horse for their 10 year old at auction wouldn't
have to compete with the killer buyers at the auction
for a family horse. That number could be reduced even more! When is
the last time any of YOU actually went to an auction to bid on a horse? I
am not talking closed/invite/tux/evening gown only auctions for those with a
long line of "who is who" lineage! I am talking about the
auctions that happen every week all over the US. Where that sweet mare or
gelding - dead broke, the companion of a 10 year old is there and the killer
buyer making his/her quota out bids that family bid - I have been there and I
have seen that - how many times have you been there AVMA members?. As long as
slaughter in the US is allowed every single week - some little kid or good
caring family, is going to have a horse bid out from under them, and
that horse is going to end up being slaughtered. For what? Yummy
Steak? These horses aren't unwanted they are just being priced out at
auction by killer buyers for the buck!
And finally to your finally! "Finally, the AVMA is concerned about
environmental problems that might arise from carcass disposal. Primary options
to dispose of horse carcasses, other than processing at slaughter facilities,
include burial, rendering, cremation, placement in a landfill, and composting.
Disposal regulations and methods vary from state to state and county to county,
and all options are not available in all areas. The need to dispose of a large
number of additional horse carcasses per year has the potential to create
environmental problems, including soil contamination from pharmaceuticals that
might be used for euthanasia."
So are we now talking about what, 40-50,000 horses a year that go through
Bel-Tex and Dallas Crown in Texas, and God forbid possibly Cavel in
Ill in the next month if they re-open for "Slaughter" - please
don't insult the public! Your land fill problem is nothing to
city/state/county/personal property landfill countrywide (in my personal
opinion) and if it is those of us against slaughter would love to see your
statistics! We are all interested in the ecology.
Thank you for listening and I look forward to the the AVMA's response.
Regina Anderson
311 Martin Church Road
Kyle, Texas 78640