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October 27, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM STATE REP. BOB MOLARO
Senate Veterinarian Sponsors Bill to End the Slaughter of America's Horses
Earlier this year, the US Senate and the US House of Representatives
resoundingly passed two separate amendments to halt the slaughter of
all horses for one year by blocking the use of taxpayer dollars for
US Department of Agriculture inspections. However, if adopted, these
amendments are only temporary solutions, and their passage is
currently being threatened behind the closed doors of a conference
committee. The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (S. 1915),
introduced yesterday in the Senate, provides an opportunity for our
legislators to ban the slaughter of horses permanently.
S. 1915 will ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption and
the domestic and international transport of live horses or horseflesh
for human consumption. Sponsored by one of only two veterinarians in
Congress, Senator John Ensign (R-NV), and his colleagues Senators
Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Robert Byrd (D-WV), Arlen Specter (R-PA),
Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Trent Lott (R-MS), Jim DeMint (R-SC), Carl
Levin (D-MI) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), it is a crucial step to
protect this important living symbol of America. Last year alone,
65,976 horses were killed and shipped overseas.
Horses serve us all of their lives, and they should not die under the
circumstances present in the United States' three foreign-owned
slaughterhouses – the only places that process horsemeat in our
country. Many travel for hours without proper nourishment or rest.
They endure callous handling and oftentimes they are not properly
stunned before slaughter, resulting in a brutal, painful death.
This bill and its companion, H.R. 503 in the House of
Representatives, will stop the slaughter of horses forever. The
Society for Animal Protective Legislation (SAPL) hopes the American
Horse Slaughter Prevention Act will move quickly through the
Congress, resulting in a historic victory on behalf of country's
beloved horses.
Contact:
Chris Heyde, SAPL Policy Analyst: 703-836-4300
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