American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act

Like many horse and animal lovers, I have been following the news regarding the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503/S. 1915). This bill, according to The Society for Animal Protective Legislation, “will end the slaughter of horses for human consumption and the domestic and international transport of live horses or horseflesh for human consumption.” One major advocate of this bill is Willie Nelson, who is speaking out to protect America's horses. Today, CNN published an article "We have a lot to learn from Horses", written by Nelson, urging people to speak out to help pass the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.

Nelson talks about how much horses enrich our lives, including through therapeutic riding. Ann Terry Hill from Portland, Oregon, just contributed to Equitrekking's Expert's Corner on the benefits of Therapeutic Riding and how horses contribute to our lives.

There are three foreign-owned slaughter houses in the United States, located in Illinois and Texas. The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, if passed, could shut them down. The argument in favor of the bill is that the horses are treated inhumanely en route to the slaughter houses, in the slaughter houses and then they are killed. In September, the House of Representatives voted to pass the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, but now the bill must go before the Senate.

You may use snail mail, or if you are reading this blog, then you know that email is an effective tool as well. The Society for Animal Protective Legislation has a link on their site with information on how to contact your senator.