Subject: AAEP request for your assistance with horse
processing issue
The AAEP has hit a new low (that is their actual Subject line).
Not only are they misleading the public, but now they are taking on their own
membership. Below is an alert they just sent out.
Share this with everyone you know. Especially veterinarians. For the
AAEP to call slaughter "processing," "euthanasia" and then
say how much their care is an insult to veterinarians and the horse owners who
use them.
This letter shows how little they do care for the horse!
Thanks, Chris
National Horse Protection Coalition
----- Original Message -----
From: AAEP
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 2:52 PM
Subject: AAEP request for your assistance with horse processing issue
Dear AAEP Member:
As you may be aware, a federal bill has been introduced in the United States
House of Representatives that seeks to ban the processing of horses. A
similar bill is soon to be introduced in the United States Senate.
The AAEP is one of many state and national equine organizations that is greatly
concerned about the health and welfare of the unwanted horse should H.R. 857 -
the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act - become law. The heart of
this issue is ensuring that unwanted horses are not subject to neglect and/or
abuse if humane euthanasia at a USDA-regulated processing facility is no longer
an option for horse owners who are unable or unwilling to care for their
animals. The AAEP is not pro-slaughter. We do not think H.R. 857
adequately addresses the welfare implications of banning the processing option.
If you would like to read the AAEP's position paper on H.R. 857, please click
the following link: http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/AAEP_Position_HR857.pdf.
The AAEP's Public Policy Committee has been working to educate legislators about
the potential effects of this bill. Because this issue has such a
tremendous welfare impact on the unwanted horse, it will also be beneficial for
individual practitioners to directly contact their elected representatives.
If you are concerned about H.R. 857's effect on the unwanted horse, the AAEP
urges you to share your views with the senator and/or representative from your
state or district. If you do not wish to draft a personal letter, the AAEP
has provided sample letters that can be used for this purpose. The links
to those letters as well as the names and addresses of all members of Congress
can be found at the bottom of this e-mail.
Because an overwhelming majority of AAEP members told us in a 2002 survey that
horse processing should not be banned, the AAEP will continue to share the
concerns of the equine veterinary profession with federal legislators. If
this issue is important to you, we appreciate you doing the same.
Sincerely,
Larry R. Bramlage, DVM, MS
President, American Association of Equine Practitioners