“Humanity's true moral test, its fundamental test…consists of its attitude towards those who are at its mercy: animals.”
― Milan Kundera
80% of Americans are opposed to horse slaughter or brutally killing horses in slaughter houses and using their meat for human consumption. The United States Congress released on January 13th, 2014 a brand new funding bill for FY2014. Although this is still a controversial topic among many advocates-
here are a few points to ponder.
Without inspectors horse meat will not pass USDA standards for human consumption. Processing plants that would have opened will no longer be profitable. Does this resolve the entire horse slaughter problem? Not by a long shot. However, it does stop the processing of horse meat in the States. The reason your pet pooches dog food must pass USDA inspection is sadly because many poor hungry people eat it to survive in this country. Given a choice most of us would rather eat dog food than dog meat which is why this bill is so crucial. If we allow the consumption and processing of horse meat then we will start to allow the import and export of other animal meat products such as dog, cat, fox, monkey, etc. There is much to examine and reflect when considering which animals are chosen for human consumption and which animals are not. As a society, as Americans, we cannot allow ourselves to continue on a barbaric path. What this legislation will do is ensure humane euthanasia for horses in this country, the way our canine and cat populations are humanely euthanized due to our senseless over breeding.
A horses execution in a slaughter house is absolutely brutal, terrifying and most certainly not humane. Typically shipped for more than 24 hours at a time, horses are left without food, water, or the ability to rest in over crowded transports. They are often seriously injured or killed in transit. Accurate stunning or (shots to the head with a bolt gun) are difficult. Horses often endure repeated blows and sometimes remain conscious during dismemberment. They essentially could be skinned alive. There is no quick and painless death. Before the last domestic plant closed in 2007, the USDA documented unimaginable cruelty violations.
The fact is we don't need horse, dog or monkey meat to survive in this country. Congress needs to examine why one of the most prosperous nations on Earth is allowing its poor and elderly to eat dog and cat food for sustenance in the first place. Inspection legislation involves more than a trillion tax dollars. Numerous animal welfare organizations across the country including the Humane Society of the United States, ASPCA, consumer safety groups and thousands of concerned citizens worked tirelessly for Congress to respond. Capitol Hill's message back to the American people was recognizing that our animal populations deserve better and the dangerous business of horse slaughter has no power here, now or ever.
Advocates are now fighting hard to make sure Congress takes the final crucial step in protecting America’s horses by passing the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (H.R. 1094 / S. 541) to prevent both the slaughter of American horses for human consumption in this country, and preventing export abroad. Contact your own Congress members and ask them to cosponsor the SAFE ACT.
here are a few points to ponder.
Without inspectors horse meat will not pass USDA standards for human consumption. Processing plants that would have opened will no longer be profitable. Does this resolve the entire horse slaughter problem? Not by a long shot. However, it does stop the processing of horse meat in the States. The reason your pet pooches dog food must pass USDA inspection is sadly because many poor hungry people eat it to survive in this country. Given a choice most of us would rather eat dog food than dog meat which is why this bill is so crucial. If we allow the consumption and processing of horse meat then we will start to allow the import and export of other animal meat products such as dog, cat, fox, monkey, etc. There is much to examine and reflect when considering which animals are chosen for human consumption and which animals are not. As a society, as Americans, we cannot allow ourselves to continue on a barbaric path. What this legislation will do is ensure humane euthanasia for horses in this country, the way our canine and cat populations are humanely euthanized due to our senseless over breeding.
A horses execution in a slaughter house is absolutely brutal, terrifying and most certainly not humane. Typically shipped for more than 24 hours at a time, horses are left without food, water, or the ability to rest in over crowded transports. They are often seriously injured or killed in transit. Accurate stunning or (shots to the head with a bolt gun) are difficult. Horses often endure repeated blows and sometimes remain conscious during dismemberment. They essentially could be skinned alive. There is no quick and painless death. Before the last domestic plant closed in 2007, the USDA documented unimaginable cruelty violations.
The fact is we don't need horse, dog or monkey meat to survive in this country. Congress needs to examine why one of the most prosperous nations on Earth is allowing its poor and elderly to eat dog and cat food for sustenance in the first place. Inspection legislation involves more than a trillion tax dollars. Numerous animal welfare organizations across the country including the Humane Society of the United States, ASPCA, consumer safety groups and thousands of concerned citizens worked tirelessly for Congress to respond. Capitol Hill's message back to the American people was recognizing that our animal populations deserve better and the dangerous business of horse slaughter has no power here, now or ever.
Advocates are now fighting hard to make sure Congress takes the final crucial step in protecting America’s horses by passing the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (H.R. 1094 / S. 541) to prevent both the slaughter of American horses for human consumption in this country, and preventing export abroad. Contact your own Congress members and ask them to cosponsor the SAFE ACT.
“Those who get in the way of loves path will be kicked by horses."
~Kyoya”
― Bisco Hatori, Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 17
~Kyoya”
― Bisco Hatori, Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 17
