From: "Responsible Pet Owners Alliance" <rpoa@texas.net
To: <TX-RPOA@listserv.tamu.edu
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2003 9:53 AM
Subject: Unwanted Horses - A crisis for the entire country!

 From Responsible Pet Owners Alliance,  the reasonable voice regarding animal issues.

 It is with a heavy heart that I send this e-mail.
 I just spoke to Senator Deuell's legislative aide on the phone and faxed the  letter below to his office.  I will be faxing it to all the senators.  I was  told Senator Deuell supported Representative Betty Brown's HB 1324, but  doesn't want the amendment to include Chapter 149 in his bill.

 Senator Deuell has been told by several senators that they will filibuster  his bill (SB 1413) if it includes Chapter 149.  So the fanatical animal  rights zealots control our Texas legislature and have denied a democratic  process to unfold with this issue.  The legislature adjourns (for two years)  June 2.

 Responsible Pet Owners Alliance's primary concern is the welfare of the  animals, not whether someone eats meat in another country.  If the last two  horse slaughter plants in Texas are closed down by these zealots, it will  have the same effect as all the animal control divisions in the US shutting  down and leaving us with unwanted dogs and cats everywhere.

 The animal rights movement is not about humane care of animals, but rather  is about abolishing all use of animals - for any reason.  If good people  don't stand up and draw a line in the sand, it bodes ill for the animals  that we all love so dearly.

 Responsible Pet Owners Alliance formed to provide a voice of reason  regarding animal issues and will publish a Legislative Report Card on our  website each legislative session.

 If you wish to express your feelings in this matter, you may contact Senator  Deuell at 512-463-0102 or FAX:  512-463-7202.  Time is of the essence.   I hope you care - enough...  Evidently some legislators don't.
 Mary Beth

 **************************

 May 28, 2003

 Senator Bob Deuell

 Support the amendment to SB 1413   to include Chapter 149, regarding horse slaughter.

 We're on a slippery slope.  Don't let the fanatical animal rights zealots who are less than 1% of the population make Texas law.  The extremists succeeded in killing HB 1324, which would have allowed the two horse slaughter plants in Texas to continue to operate.  That means the 42,000 horses handled at the two slaughter houses EACH year will have nowhere to
go but Mexico or Canada and a federal "animal rights" bill looms which will stop that if passed.

 So what about the horses?  Who is thinking about animal/horse welfarehere?
 We are.  These unwanted horses will simply be left to die in fields or turned out on the roads if this amendment doesn't pass.  HB 1324 had the support of major horse organizations, equine veterinarians, TexasVeterinary Medical Association, and our organization.

 Divide the 42,000 horses slaughtered EVERY YEAR and that means each state will have about 1,000 unwanted horses to deal with each year, compounding the problem.  Who will care for them?

 Animal Liberation Front burned down one other horse slaughter plant (and is suspected in the other one).  That is the reason there are only the two Texas plants left in the US.  These extremists aren't concerned about animal cruelty and kind treatment of animals.  They are abolitionists who have an agenda to end all use of animals for any reason, whether we eat them, wear
 them, or pet them.  They are opposed to ALL animal slaughter.  They don't eat hotdogs or ice cream, wear leather, support animal research, the rodeo, the circus or any other use of animals.  Closing these horse slaughter houses is a first step against all animal agriculture in Texas.

 The zealots have resorted to lies and other deliberate distortions of the truth to defeat HB 1324.  Don't listen to them.  This is the last chance for a "humane" vote that is truly FOR the horses.  Pass the amendment.

 Sincerely,

 Mary Beth Duerler
 President

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