Not trying to open a can of worms

[lovinarabs]

Without trying to stir up a controversy, I thought there might be some of you that might be interested:

A petition to demand the senate to vote on S.1915 and end horse slaughter.

Please forward and cross post everywhere!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/615024357

Thanks to Marjorie for getting this set up!

John Holland

Thank you for helping our horses. "Wherever man has left his footprint in the long ascent from barbarism to civilization we will find the hoofprint of the horse beside it." ~JOHN TROTWOOD MOORE

 

[sfmini]

Sorry, but unless there is a solid plan to HUMANELY care for all those unwanted horses, I will never support such an action. Right now slaughter is a much better option than being dumped, abused, starved, abandoned.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

As I have said and shall continue to say ad nauseum....there is NO reason except sentimentality of the worst kind to separate horses form any other food animals in this matter.

ALL animals intended for slaughter deserve the exact same treatment of humanity and dignity in their handling and transport and care.

I do not see any reason why I should care any more about what happens to a horse after it is dead than I do a cow, and I care about each, pre- slaughter, equally and passionately.

I am NOT a vegetarian.!!!

 

[Minimor]

I just heard some stats here in Canada. Now plese realize that I don't exactly follow how this will work, because if the bill is passed it will supposedly stop horses from being given away, transported or sold for slaughter--which I would think would mean that it would stop the horses being sent to slaughter in Canada. But, I suppose there are ways to get around that? Maybe if American seller A sends a load of dude ranch trail horses to buyer B in Canada? A week (or however long) later Buyer B sends the horses on to a Canadian slaughterhouse?

I don't know, but the stats that were just quoted to me were that slaughter of horses in Canada could quadruple after slaughter is banned in the US.

I'm quite sure that if there is any way to circumvent the law, someone will be doing it. Or, it could just be that with the US market shut down the increased demand and increased prices will mean more Canadian horses being sent to slaughter. My concern there is horse thieves--if slaughter horse prices go up considerably, there will be shady characters trying to make a fast buck off the industry.

I wish all the effort was going first into humane conditions during transport and at the slaughterhouses. I'm just not sure that eliminating slaughter is going to be the wonderful thing so many want it to be.

 

[lovinarabs]

Like I said, not trying to open a can of worms. From what I have read and reviewed people in general feel very strongly either one way or the other. I respect the opinions on both sides of the fence. I was asked to cross post this on other forums I knew of, so I did.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

It is actually far worse than that.

At the moment horses are being shipped in their hundreds from Argentina, in the holds of ships not necessarily designed to handle live animals across to Italy where the ones still alive are kicked and beaten onto lorries.

They are not fed.

They are not given water.

Eventually they are killed.

They are the lucky ones.

Imagine being seasick and not being able to throw up.

If the US stops horse slaughter the horses will be shipped down through Mexico, where the lucky ones, the ones in the best condition, will be dropped off for slaughter there.

The unlucky ones are now completely beyond all humane laws.

They will travel on, maybe, easily as far as Argentina and from there they will enter the heck ships.

I do not know how these people sleep at night but I equally do not know how those people who wish merely to pass the buck of responsibility on this matter sleep at night either.

WAKE UP!!!!!!

Clean up the laws for ALL food animals, not just the ones that look cute, not just the ones that you do not think deserve to be eaten, ALL food animals, for that matter, all animals, period, would be even nicer.

Slaughterhouses are necessary.

That, for me is the end of the story.

 

[HGFarm]

I agree with all stated here- and if they stop the slaughter here, the horses will be trucked to Mexico, with the same treatment that Rabbits mentioned. The trucks are packed, no food or water on the trip. The horses cannot lay down and the ones that are crippled etc.... if they go down in the truck- they are usually stomped to death by the others.

This is far more cruel than inhumane slaughter techniques. I dont know why folks dont rally to perhaps change those rules or methods rather than stopping slaughter all together.

Yes, I have seen horses dumped, starved, etc.. because noone wanted to care for them anymore, and didnt bother to take them to the auction. We found one on the ranch one year that had been left out in the middle of nowhere tied to a tree. It died there and the cowboys found the remains. Had they at least turned it loose, there was grass and water on the ranch. Idiots!

I think laws to clean up the conditions at the slaughter houses would be a much better venue than stopping the whole thing. You cannot save EVERY animal, and some that are in pain, etc.. are better off not being saved!! I dont like to see anything suffer!

 

[shminifancier]

I also agree with what others have said, as more problems will happen to our dear 4 legged critters.

I just don't like the idea that there is no provisions made for those horses that when the Processing Plants do close, where they will go knowing they went to auction mostly for one reason, unwanted, unloved, uncaring homes.

 

[Shari]

As I said it before I say it again.

Unless these zealots have the land, money, staff and know how, to properly feed, house, train, Vet care, handled troubled horses, farrier and so on 90,000+ horses per year.

They need to stop pushing the anti slaughter issue. What you are causing is going to be far worse for horses in the long run.

What you should be doing is getting the governement to montor humane slaughter for these unwanted or terminally ill horses.

You are tying the hands of the Vets that have to put horses down and now have no place to send the body. Many places in the country do not allow you to bury them.

Just wish people would really do the research and think before they force others into things they really know nothing about.

 

[strass]

Anybody know of a Pro-Slaughter site and petition?

I've seen enough of what happens to unwanted horses around here.

Human beings seem incapable of lowering the number of breedings of both themselves and every animal they control. Until there are controls on the number of babies allowed, slaughter is the answer with the least suffering. Besides, we still need to feed something to all the excess humans that plague this planet.

 

[Minimor]

See, those are the things that concern me. How much worse can it be for some horses once the American slaughterhouses are shut down.

I think many people believe once the law is changed, that horses will not be able to be shipped anywhere out of the country for slaughter. I think they will find they are wrong on that, because there is always someone wanting to turn a buck, and there are always ways to circumvent the law. And once people realize the truth of what the antislaughter law has done, it will be too late....for the horses.

thehorse.com already has an article regarding the increase in the numbers of horses being turned out to fend for themselves because the price of hay is so high in some areas. I haven't read the whole thing yet, but it starts by citing a case of several starving horses found in a forest area--I think in the Pacific northwest? Could be wrong on that--I do have to go back & read the whole thing. I think there will be more of that, too, once the slaughterhouses close. People think they can turn the horses out & they will eat well? Is starving to death better than slaughter?

 

[Shari]

There have been a couple of places in the country were horses have been turned loose. I know someone that found some at the end of her road. She can't afford to care for them....so what happens to those starving horses?

What happens when more and more get turned loose? Maybe a horse runs in front of a family car with small children in it. Horse/Moose/elk, verses the car... do the math.

Am getting really angry now so I will stop.

 

[mmmorgans]

I won't voice my opinion on horse slaughter as it is just my opinion. However, I think everyone should take a look at this website that has video footage of a horse slaughter house. It is graphic and sickening to watch - but will make you think about slaughter houses.

http://www.sharkonline.org/?P=0000000528

 

[strass]

I won't voice my opinion on horse slaughter as it is just my opinion. However, I think everyone should take a look at this website that has video footage of a horse slaughter house. It is graphic and sickening to watch - but will make you think about slaughter houses.

http://www.sharkonline.org/?P=0000000528

I watched it...while eating a double quarter-pounder w/bacon.

It's much less upsetting than seeing a starving horse die from neglect because nobody wants it.

 

[strass]

I feel compelled to add that those of us who support horse slaughter do NOT want to see horses die. We wish that every horse that's born could have a happy home to live peacefully in. However, that's just not a reality.

I say again: It's OUR fault. Every one of us that breeds animals is to blame for those that must be killed. We humans just never know when to stop. We breed too many horses to find them all a home. We also breed too many that are of low quality (and those stand even less of a chance of finding someone to care for them).

Horse meat can feed some of the plethera of hungry humans out there. We also breed too many of those.

 

[Triggy&Blue&Daisy Too]

The only reason slaughter exists is for the irresponsible. Every person who breeds, whether done responsibly done or not, a foal/pup kitten or other animal just adds to the mess some where down the line no matter how diligently they try not to. Every horse for sale can be considered an "unwanted" not just the poor souls that people sentimentally think slaughter is designed for. So even if one is lucky enough to find a buyer for a foal or pup or kitten there are no gaurantees it will continue to be wanted its entire lifetime. Amazing how few even bother to consider it that far, much less have any conscience about the ramifications of what they do. They are too caught up in doing just as they please, regardless of the consequences, to even care.

I feel only sadnesss at hearing yet another foal announcement or litter of pups/kittens knowing full well many will pay the ultimate price regardless of their caring breeders expectations for them. Until people get their heads out of their behinds and are forced to take account for their actions nothing will change whether there is an outlet like slaughter or not. But if they are closed then I guess someone will HAVE to take on the responsibiltity and if that means the government stepping in and fining and regulating breeders and people who neglect and abuse into the ground then so be it.

 

[sfmini]

I watched all video, the one that was saddest to me was the euthanasia and the lies describing their deaths. The only reason those horses became groggy was because they were heavily sedated! Have you ever seen an unsedated horse put down? I have, and trust me it can be ugly. No pretty music and sad memories there, let me tell you. I will never allow any horse of mine to be put down without sedation.

I find it terribly disturbing that the video leads you to believe that the euthanasia drug does that so nice and peaceful and pretty, and even sedated they will groan as they try to continue breathing for a while.

The yahoos who send horses to slaughter are not going to pay vets to come out and give Dobbin a couple of shots so he can drift of to sleep. They will shoot them, or just dump them somewhere to die slowly. This is so sad.

 

[Buckskin gal]

Sooo true!! all I have to add is that I strongly feel that anyone who thinks slaughtering horses is just fine should never ever breed a horse! :no: It is just an easy way out for irresponsible breeders. I have no objection to a horse being put down at its home and then taken away but the way they are handled from auctions to slaughter houses is worse than many can imagine. And we don't have to see horses starving to death either...report them to the authorities. It gripes me to see how people have no problem at all in making money from their horses but won't pay out anything to have it disposed of in a humanly way. How many of you would allow your National Champion to be hauled to a slaughter house when its days of usefullness is over? I am sure there are a few but I would never be able to understand it. JMHO

The only reason slaughter exists is for the irresponsible. Every person who breeds, whether done responsibly done or not, a foal/pup kitten or other animal just adds to the mess some where down the line no matter how diligently they try not to. Every horse for sale can be considered an "unwanted" not just the poor souls that people sentimentally think slaughter is designed for. So even if one is lucky enough to find a buyer for a foal or pup or kitten there are no gaurantees it will continue to be wanted its entire lifetime. Amazing how few even bother to consider it that far, much less have any conscience about the ramifications of what they do. They are too caught up in doing just as they please, regardless of the consequences, to even care.

I feel only sadnesss at hearing yet another foal announcement or litter of pups/kittens knowing full well many will pay the ultimate price regardless of their caring breeders expectations for them. Until people get their heads out of their behinds and are forced to take account for their actions nothing will change whether there is an outlet like slaughter or not. But if they are closed then I guess someone will HAVE to take on the responsibiltity and if that means the government stepping in and fining and regulating breeders and people who neglect and abuse into the ground then so be it.

 

[Reijel's Mom]

Good post and I'm glad this is discussed, whichever side of the issue people are on. I'm with those that hate the thought of slaughter but think it might be necessary. . . and wish something would be done to make it a more humane process for any animal.

This should maybe be discussed on a different post (I'm somewhat new, sorry) but I wonder what others have paid for euthanasia/body disposal of a horse if they've had to do that?

I had to euthanize my 31 year old standardbred last year and the few companies around here (Iowa) that will take a horse body charged well over $300 to take it. I would have liked to have just buried the horse on my father's farm, but any other animal that might have eventually eaten the carcass would have died as well (and not to mention that it's probably illegal).

Some may not think $300 is a lot of money but I do - all of my animals are companion animals and get the best care that I can provide. I don't breed, and all of my animals are rescues, so it's not a business for me where I have profits and losses.

Still, I would do it again. No horse of mine will ever end up in a slaughterhouse.

 

[runamuk]

I won't voice my opinion on horse slaughter as it is just my opinion. However, I think everyone should take a look at this website that has video footage of a horse slaughter house. It is graphic and sickening to watch - but will make you think about slaughter houses.

http://www.sharkonline.org/?P=0000000528

This type of video is created by animal rights terrorist organizations and it often isn't 100% accurate but they rely on the gross out/shock factor to further their cause. If it is the same video I have seen (refuse to watch it and give their site hits) it is very old and I believe it may not have even been filmed in the US. These same people want all ownership of all pets and all animals taken away from all people, be careful what you believe these people are just as much terrorists as al queda.

The truth of the bill is it was designed ONLY to stop the slaughter of the BLM mustangs AFTER the slaughter ban had been lifted. Then the lobbyists for people like PETA and HSUS got involved and it became the bill it is now. Thankfully pro animal people managed to talk sense into the senate and are trying to get it stopped...the current hangup is wording and legislation to deal with all the horses that would normally be destined for these slaughter houses.

I am guessing it will not pass as there is debate over what is to be done with the surplus horses.