March 11, 2003

Ms. Mary S. Nash
104 S. Houston Street
Kaufman , TX   75142  

Dear Ms. Nash:  

Thank you for taking time to contact my office regarding house bill 1324.  I appreciate your interest on this matter as well as the opportunity to speak to your concerns.  

House bill 1324 sets out to clarify existing law.  It also contains a provision for auction barns to notify horse owners that their horses sold there could wind up being slaughtered.  The two plants that operate in Texas are regulated by the USDA and the brands inspected by Texas Cattle Raisers Association.  If there was nowhere to take horses that have outlived their usefulness many would be neglected or wind up being slaughtered in Mexico where there is no regulation and no hope of rescuing stolen animals.

You and I would prefer that these animals be placed with caring owners and be allowed to live out their natural lives or be put down very mercifully by a veterinarian and then duly disposed.  There is expense incurred with either decision and many simply cannot afford to do what you and I would prefer.  I hope this has helped to explain my involvement in an issue we would all rather not have to think about.

It is a pleasure to represent you in the Texas State Legislature and I encourage you to continue to voice your opinion.  Your information has been added to our database and we look forward to continuing communications with you.  Please contact me or my staff if we can be of assistance.  If electronic correspondence is more convenient, you may contact me via email at Betty.Brown@house.state.tx.us.

Sincerely,

/S of Betty Brown
Betty Brown

BB/mm