September 24, 2022
America’s wild and domestic horses and burros need you now more than ever before.
20 years have passed since the first federal bill was introduced targeting a ban on
horse slaughter, and now it seems that the current bill is in trouble.Just this week during a Committee Meeting, the Safe Act H.R.3355 (the current anti-slaughter bill) was omitted from the upcoming markup calendar, which means it may never make it to the house floor for a vote this session.
How did this happen?
It was just recently discovered that the Committee on Energy and Commerce had received letters from leaders of large member pro-slaughter organizations claiming strong opposition to the Safe Act by their member base. Amongst groups sending letters was the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and the National Tribal Horse Coalition (NTHC).
What the general public may not realize is that these groups have been proponents of the perverse slaughter trade for many years now. Still, the recent discovery of these letters and their contents have sent shockwaves across the country, especially for the animal loving community. The AVMA claims to be the official voice for the wellbeing of animals. They claim that horse slaughter is humane and that there is somehow a greater risk of animal suffering if horse slaughter were to be banned. The AAEP states their position is consistent with the AVMA.
Massachusetts.
Horse Slaughter Issue Updates:
Health Risks Associated with Consuming Horsemeat
Yes, TAINTED horsemeat in the International Food Chain is STILL a serious
HEALTH THREAT!
This should be a wakeup call to all Nations of people that consume horsemeat or that buy pet food containing horsemeat, or that care about animals. Take note, the U.S. is not the only country that allows their equine population to be slaughtered for consumption after being treated with substances that are known to be lethal to humans.
Entertainment & Performance Horses
In 2012 the Wild For Life Foundation (WFLF) released a Case Study conducted on the number of Thoroughbreds that die at slaughter annually. Based on data published by the U.S. government and the Jockey Club in the years 2002 – 2010, it was reported that an amount equal to 70% of the annual Thoroughbred foal crop, on average, die at slaughter each year. These facts caught the attention of some very prominent racehorse industry stakeholders which led to some significant and inspirational turnarounds from deep within the racehorse industry. Numerous former pro-slaughter groups and associations have since changed their positions and now support the anti-slaughter legislation.
There have also been record setting numbers of racehorses that have died on the tracks. New protective measures have been implemented, together with programs to help prevent these catastrophic injuries and to help keep Thoroughbreds from going to slaughter. However, much more needs to be done. One thing we know for sure is that without federal protection, racehorse aftercare programs cannot safeguard our horses from the harm of horse slaughter.
No Horse or Burro in the U.S. is Safe from Slaughter
U.S. horses of every breed, age and gender get sent to Mexico and suffer horrific cruelty. They are also still sent to Canada where they suffer horrific cruelty, plus prolonged suffering from agonizing injuries that are left untreated for another six months after they enter the slaughter pipeline in the U.S.
The LAST 1.3% of America’s Wild Horses & Burros are Facing their Last Stand Right Now!
America's wild horse & burro population has declined by more than 96% since the turn of the 19th century. Yet the BLM intends to aggressively reduce their presence in the wild to less than 98%.
Without an actual census in over 50 years, the BLM claims that there are around 90,000 too many wild horses and burros on the public lands. Based on the same, they have accelerated their cruel helicopter roundups this year. Without protective intervention, the BLM intends to continue conducting their aggressively cruel roundups while at the same time implementing a combination of barbaric ovariectomies and permanent chemical sterilization activities, plus they are without a doubt sending wild horses and burros to slaughter. (click to learn more)
Protective Legislation is Long Overdue
Our Government as a whole, effectively LICENSES this CRIMINAL ANIMAL CRUELTY by continuing to allow the export of U.S. horses & burros for slaughter.
But this can be stopped! Federal legislation such as the Safe Act can create a permanent ban on the slaughter of U.S. horses for food and prohibit their shipment abroad for that purpose. It's a bi-partisan issue and the passing of this legislation is long overdue.
Countless wild & domestic horses & burros have lost their lives to the insidious horse slaughter trade, and there’s no end in sight, unless we fight for their federal protection. We can’t bring back those who are gone, but we can prevent the suffering & killing of future generations by telling their story. You can help by standing united and making their voice heard!
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It's been 10 years since Dr. Nicholas Dodman of SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES, joined together with Senator Landrieu, D-La., Rep. Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., and Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., to introduce the original Safe Act. The legislation if passed would have prohibited horse slaughter operations in the U.S., end the current export and slaughter of more America’s wild and domestic equines, and protect the public from consuming toxic horsemeat.
Per USDA Data, approximately 903,510 American horses & burros were killed in foreign slaughterhouses from June 2012 - June 2022. This number does not account for the untold number of wild horses and burros exported under false pretenses.
Looking back from the future… if you could make a difference right now, would you?
We created this banner for the horses & burros in 2012, and here we are looking back. Before you know it, another decade will have passed and countless more horses & burros will have fallen victim to this barbaric trade, if we don't work together to protect them.
Act now! Please don’t let another minute slip by without making a difference for these innocent sentient beings, our four-legged brothers, and sisters, who have been there for us throughout the years. They need us now, more than ever, to protect them and keep them safe.