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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Christopher J. Heyde
Policy Analyst
Society for Animal Protective Legislation
PO Box 3719
Washington, DC 20027
Tel: (703) 836-4300
Fax: (703) 997-1134
www.saplonline.org
February 1, 2005
Congress Moves to Protect America's Horses
Throughout the history of this country, horses have played a valuable
role. However, there is a dark side to this relationship few people
know about the slaughter of horses for human consumption. Last
year over 65,000 American horses were killed in the US to satisfy the
demand for this "delicacy" in France, Italy, Belgium and Japan. The
number butchered is expected to go higher following a "rider" slipped
though Congress last year that will send thousands of our wild horses
to their death. Two bills have been introduced in response to
overwhelming public demand to protect America's horses from slaughter.
The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, introduced today, will
ban horse slaughter within the United States and prohibit the export
of live horses for the same purpose. The bill, which last year
received the support of a majority of legislators in the US House of
Representatives, has been reintroduced by Congressman John Sweeney (R-
NY) and Congressman John Spratt (D-SC).
"A new year brings new opportunities," said Congressman John E.
Sweeney (R-NY). "I am confident we will build on the tremendous
support we had last year and finally end the brutal and despicable
practice of slaughtering horses for human consumption."
The second bill (HR 297), introduced by Congressman Nick Rahall (D-
WV), ranking member of the House Resources Committee and Congressman
Ed Whitfield (R-KY), will restore the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horse
and Burro Act to its original language which prevented wild horses
from being sold for slaughter.
"Wild horses running free across our Western public lands are
reminiscent of the frontier era and this nation's spirit. To allow
these animals to be slaughtered without exhausting all other care
options is akin to condoning the death of a portion of our history.
This legislation will ensure that horses sold to willing buyers are
not destined for the slaughter house," said Congressman Rahall.
"Both bills reflect the urgency for swift passage, given the dramatic
increase in horses slaughtered last year coupled with the almost
certain influx of once federally protected wild horses this year,"
notes Chris Heyde, Policy Analyst for the Society for Animal
Protective Legislation.
The Society for Animal Protective Legislation urges concerned
constituents to contact their legislators and request they cosponsor
these essential bills. (To learn more about the legislation and find
your legislators please visit www.saplonline.org.)
Below is our new bill number and committee assignment.
H.R.503
Title: To amend the Horse Protection Act to prohibit the shipping,
transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing,
selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered
for human consumption, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Sweeney, John E. [NY-20] (introduced 2/1/2005)
Cosponsors (15)
The fifteen co-sponsors of HR 503 (so far):
Rep Bono, Mary [CA-45] - 2/1/2005
Rep Brown, Sherrod [OH-13] - 2/1/2005
Rep Capps, Lois [CA-23] - 2/1/2005
Rep Cox, Christopher [CA-48] - 2/1/2005
Rep Engel, Eliot L. [NY-17] - 2/1/2005
Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] - 2/1/2005
Rep Ferguson, Mike [NJ-7] - 2/1/2005
Rep Gallegly, Elton [CA-24] - 2/1/2005
Rep Green, Gene [TX-29] - 2/1/2005
Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 2/1/2005
Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. [NJ-6] - 2/1/2005
Rep Shays, Christopher [CT-4] - 2/1/2005
Rep Spratt, John M., Jr. [SC-5] - 2/1/2005
Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] - 2/1/2005
Rep Whitfield, Ed [KY-1] - 2/1/2005
Latest Major Action: 2/1/2005 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee
More news as it comes available!
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