ACTION ALERT: HORSE SLAUGHTER
SPECIAL REPORT: When Horse Slaughter Comes to Town
 | There is a movement afoot in many States to bring the cruel and barbaric practice of horse slaughter back to America. In the meantime, as many American horses are being exported to Mexico and Canada for slaughter for human consumption as there were when horse slaughter plants were operating here. In order to inform decision makers on why it would be a tragic mistake for all concerned to return the killing of America's horses in the slaughterhouse, the Int'l Fund for Horses has put together a document outlining the risks and negative impact: "When Horse Slaughter Comes To Town." |
ACTION TO TAKE
We encourage you to print this document and send it to your state legislators, federal legislators, governors, Chambers of Commerce, and business and community leaders to inform them just what is "coming to town" when they support the slaughter of America's horses. Please be sure to let them know you are strongly opposed to it in your own words in a cover letter.
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"When Horse Slaughter Comes to Town" is 24-page, fully-referenced document and contains no graphic images. Help us distribute this document to state legislators, federal legislators, and business and community leaders. Make a fast, free, secure donation online. Thank you!
A special thank you to Jane Allin who worked tirelessly and patiently on this document throughout editing so we could produce as concise a document as possible. Our appreciation also to our proofreaders, reference checkers and chief Lobbyist in DC, Michael, who helped guide us along the way.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Environmental Impact
The serious, costly negative impact on the environment resulting from horse slaughter facilities and the methods of waste disposal are well-documented, and potentially harmful to the citizens of surrounding communities.
2. Economic Growth and Community Welfare
Horse slaughter operations, time and time again, have shown to have a detrimental impact on the economic disposition and the safety of the communities where they are located. Slaughterhouses do not make good neighbors, increase crime and serious on-the-job injuries to their workers.
3. Legal Implications
There are ample legal complications associated with attempting to re-establish horse slaughter in the U.S. The remaining slaughter houses in the U.S. were shut down in 2007 as a result of Congressional action, state legislation and federal court decisions. Stringent new requirements for the export of American horse meat from North America to Europe has been mandated due to prohibited drug residues. Legislation prohibiting the slaughter and export for slaughter of American horses is pending before the U.S. Congress.
4. Opposition to Horse Slaughter
There is strong opposition to horse slaughter in the United States and Canada. It has been reported that as many as 90% of the population is opposed to it. More and more, the activities of animal advocates exposing the horrendous cruelties inherent to horse slaughter, coupled with increasing media coverage, powerfully stigmatize the communities who choose to operate these facilities. Horse is not and never will be accepted as a part of American culture.
5. Alternatives and Solutions to Horse Slaughter
There are many alternatives to horse slaughter. Sadly, pro-slaughter exists within the ranks of the government and established horse industry groups such as the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC). A strategic component to stopping horse slaughter is reducing any surplus horse population by placing the onus of accountability on horse breeders and owners.
