As a lifetime horse owner (my wife and I have nine at the present time) I am opposed to Rep Molaro’s bill. I’m joined by the Horseman’s Council of Illinois, and numerous other groups.
The following information is dissented by
the Horseman’s Council of Illinois at
“These proposals, of passed, will have
devastating effects on the $3.8 billion equine industry in
The Horsemen’s Council of Illinois
represents a broad coalition of horse owners, breeds and disciplines,
including professionals who make their living in the equine industry (15,000
full-time jobs) and backyard horsemen alike – a total of 77,000 horse owners
in the state. And we’re
encouraging you to vote NO on these anti-slaughter proposals because it will
be best for equine welfare and continued viability of an important
Included is a thorough discussion of
expert research on the real issues you may consult independently before
recognizing that a NO vote is the right vote.
And, we’re joined in our convictions by
the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Equine
Practitioners, American Quarter Horse Association, Illinois Farm Bureau,
Hooved Animal Rescue and Protection Society and many other state and national
associations and individuals who work with horses daily.
For the moment, though, be assured that
each and every point animal rights activists make in support of the
anti-slaughter proposals is WRONG.
Here are reasons why they are wrong and by what authority.
You will learn why these radical animal rights groups’ contentions
– as well-meaning as they may sound – are misrepresentations at best.
It is wrong to say that outlawing
slaughter will protect tens of thousands of horses each year from abuse.
If slaughter is banned, 85,000
unwanted, unusable, unsound, or unsafe horses in the
It is wrong to say that all
unwanted horses can find homes if they are placed in the right hands, such as
horse rescue operations. At present, the
It is unrealistic to say that the
remaining unwanted or unusable horses should be euthanized by their owners by
lethal injections at their home farm. Because of the cost of euthanizing and trucking a horse to a rendering
plant and/or lack of burial grounds, many of these animals would suffer
starvation, abuse, possible even be abandoned to forage for themselves.
It is wrong to say that the method
of euthanasia at slaughterhouses (penetrating captive bold pistol to kill
animals, including but not limited to horses) is inhumane.
This bullet to the brain causes instantaneous death whereas “humane euthanasia” by
drugs often allows the horse to be fully cognizant up to 30 minutes after
injection, feeling itself slowly suffocate, unable to do anything about it.
It is wrong to say that conditions
at the slaughter facilities promote frenzy in the animals that can anticipate
what is about to happen to them. “Whatever anxiety that may be shown is similar to any horse in an
unfamiliar surrounding,” is the worst veterinarians report in consensus.
It is wrong to say that horses
consigned to slaughter cannot be transported humanely.
Current Federal regulations
mandate humane treatment – with fines of up to $5,000 per offense.
It is wrong to say that because eating
horsemeat is not a cultural norm in the
Jim
Sacia
State Representative
89th District
815/232-0774
-----Original
Message-----
From: LittleMissTrish@aol.com
[mailto:LittleMissTrish@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, January 12, 2004
11:55 AM
To: jimsacia@aeroinc.net
Subject: SB 1921
Dear
Representative:
As a Horse Owner and Enthusiast, It is important to me that I share with you
the truth about the Needless Horse Slaughter that has been and could
Potentially Resume in your State of Illinois. I am sure yo are no doubt
aware of the ongoing and growing debate - over Horse Slaughter. As well as
the slaughter of Horses is repugnant to equestrians and non equestrians
alike for more than "Animal Rights" reasons.
Americans
DO NOT eat Horses, just as we DO NOT eat Dogs and Cats.
These
animals are butchered for consumption for Foreigners in Foreign Countries as
a Delicacy NOT a Staple of their diet, and the Cost per Pound is
relatively High (approx. $15.00 per lb.) therefore becoming a very enticing
Business Venture for the Heartless and Money hungry individuals that Work
and Support the reconstruction of Cavel Int. a Foreign Owned Equine
Slaughterhouse that has plans to re open its doors THIS YEAR for just that
barbaric practice!
Here
are a few facts that might interest you:
Horses
are NOT raised in this country for Food or Fiber.
Americans
DO NOT slaughter our unwanted Dogs & Cats, they do not and PROHIBIT the
slaughter of these animals to prevent Abuse.
The
Transportation of Slaughter Bound equines on Double Deck Trailers is
inhumane and counter to Industry Practices for Equine Shipping and
Management.
Transport
Vehicles themselves are UNsafe and a dangerous Road Hazard. These Trailers
are SPECIFICALLY designed for animals that are SHORTER Bodied as well as
SHORTER NECKED, Horses, Ponies, and Foals DO NOT fall into this category
therefore, these animals are continually FORCED into these trucks for over
24 hours at a time where they are uncomfortable, irritable, UNFED and
UNWATERED until they reach their destination(s). Some of these animals DO
NOT make it to the Feed Lots or Slaughterhouses ALIVE. There have been
documented reports of Horses that have been Trampled or Frozen to death, as
well as severely injured as a result of this sort of Transportation
practice.
State
Police have repeatedly put vehicles of several slaughter buyers out of
service for safety violations and for violation of Department of
Transportation regulations.
Consumption
of US Horsemeat is a Public Health Risk. The reason for this being that
Horses are treated with Vaccines and Dewormers (Anti Parasitics) Annually,
Biannually, or sometimes more Frequently than that as well as Medications
for Pain Management and Infections. ALL of these medications are
SPECIFICALLY Labeled for "Use in Horses NOT intended for Food."
Because horses are NOT raised in the US for Human Consumption, Veterinarians
commonly prescribe these drugs as well as Performance Enhancing Hormones,
Neutraceuticals, and other Over The Counter Equine Products which the FDA
has NOT tested nor has it APPROVED for use in animals intended for food AND
are accordingly Labeled. The Lack of FDA Approval creates a Health/Safety
Risk to the individuals that consume theses animals.
No
One knows the history of care of each horse that is received and processed
at these Slaughter Houses so the Public Health Risk is high!
Horse
Slaughter could end tomorrow and there would be no chilling effect on
Agriculture or Commerce. Extensive polling in several states always come to
the SAME conclusion, American Voters think it is already illegal to
slaughter a Horse for Human Consumption; However when informed that it is
not, 88%-93% think that it should be.
As
an American, Horse Owner and Enthusiast, I need to know that you share my
Opposition to Horse Slaughter and will be in Support of SB 1921 to end this
barbaric act of Animal Cruelty. If you need more proof of the Horrors
of the Slaughter House, please see "Blood
Country" a Documentary of Equine Slaughter Houses.
Please
remember your American History and the pivotal role that these Horses
played. The rides of Paul Revere, Sybil Luddington, and Betsy O'Dowdy
wouldn't have taken place if there were no horses.
Black
Bess carried her braver rider, Betsy O'Dowdy across the cold waters of the
Currituck Sound and continued to carry her another 50 miles inland to warn
the American Army that the British were coming. The British who had already
slaughtered colonists horses and would surely slaughter more in effort to
crush the American Revolution.
Due
to the Courage and Black Bess and her young rider, the Americans were
alerted and stopped the British in advance.
Today's
slaughter of America's Horses is no less important and is a national
disgrace that must be abolished.
Please
respond to me and let me know that I can count on you to act in an ethical
and socially respectable manner.
Trisha
N. Martinez
Horse Owner and Enthusiast