From: "Ed Walton"
To: "'DanielCorderoFernandez Cordero Fernandez'"
Subject: Request of prosecution of Dallas Crown Packing Inc.
Date: Thu,
Mr.. Fernandez:
Let me take this opportunity to clear up a number of
misconceptions that seem to be fueling the fire of requests for the prosecution
of
First, in order to prosecute any person or entity for a
criminal offense, someone makes a complaint to a law enforcement agency or a
crime is committed in the presence of a law enforcement officer. That agency
then investigates the complaint, makes a report and submits it to this office.
We then review the report and either ask for additional information or file an
information (for misdemeanors) or present an indictment to the grand jury (for
felonies).
No offenses relating to horse slaughtering have been the
subject of a complaint made to a local law enforcement agency in
Second, the slaughtering of horses is not illegal. The
alleged offense which sparked this controversy arose over the sale of horse meat
for human consumption, in violation of Chapter 149 of the Texas Agricultural
Code, not the actual killing of horses.
Third, a federal judge has specifically ruled that Chapter
149 of the Texas Agricultural Code "is preempted by federal law and/or has
been repealed."
Personally, I do not like the idea of killing horses. Some
of the greatest moments in my life occurred on the back of a horse. There was
one period of time that I went almost two years without missing a day being on a
horse. In my mind, horses are among the most intelligent and caring animals on
earth. Dogs are man's best friend by a slim margin, at best. Whenever I get
really depressed, I watch "The Man From Snowy River" for the
"umpteenth time." There are few days that go by that I do not listen
to the soundtrack from that movie. I am listening to it at this moment. If you
have not seen the movie, you should not let the day pass without renting it. If
you love horses, you will feel like you are seventeen, again.
My last horse, "Jabo," was given to a lady for
her grandchildren to ride. She initially offered to buy Jabo, and offered a
handsome price, but I refused to sell him to her. I told her that she could have
him, but only on the promise that she would take care of him until he died. He
was 21 at the time and is no longer with us. That was in 1974 and I still
remember that no horse in
However, until the legislature makes horse slaughtering
illegal, there is nothing to be done. While I understand that this is an
emotionally charged issue, you should understand that the issue is not whether
or not horses will be slaughtered but whether, after they are killed, they will
be used for dog food or sold for human consumption overseas.
Sincerely,
Ed Walton