For the Record: Official Statement of the Arabian Horse Association's Motion on Humane Treatment (including slaughter)
Provided by Fran Jurga | 13 June 2009 | The Jurga Report on Equisearch.com
The following document is posted on this blog for reference purposes and has not been edited. It is posted as provided by Glenn R. Petty, Executive Vice President of the Arabian Horse Association on June 13, 2009, and is posted with his permission.
An article will be posted about this move by the Arabian Horse Association, but I felt that it was important for the horse world to have the full text available for reference. The AHC referred to in the text is the American Horse Council; the AHC meeting opens in Washington DC tomorrow; horse slaughter and unwanted horses will be major issues to be discussed.
AHA Board Motion: HUMANE TREATMENT OF EQUINE BREEDS & LIVESTOCK
Whereas, There is great concern regarding the humane treatment of all equine breeds and livestock, the Arabian Horse Association and the Arabian Horse Foundation actively supports equine rescue along with responsible livestock and horse ownership and breeding; Therefore, Be It
Moved, After extensive research as a Board of Directors we support the reopening of equine processing plants for horses in the U.S. We believe the reestablishment of the humane processing of horses is in the best interest of the horse and livestock community, and, therefore, direct our AHA President, Lance Walters, to support the reopening of U.S. equine processing facilities.
Motion Passed Unanimously. (Motion #16‐5/16/09‐BOD)
This motion was unanimously decided by the 37,000 member Arabian Horse Association’s 29 member board after much discussion and concern. As a new trustee with the American Horse Council, Lance Walters, AHA President, anticipated being questioned on AHA’s position on this subject at an upcoming AHC meeting – it was for this reason the board acted. After further discussion at the AHC meeting, the AHA will continue to gather information and discuss this passionate issue.
Compelling reasons for passage of the motion were conditions at Mexican slaughter facilities and at a growing numbers of farms in the U.S. It was felt humane slaughter and government regulation was a better alternative to the growing inhumane conditions that have occurred as unintended consequences caused by the passage of HB503. Reports of horses simply being allowed to starve are alarmingly on the rise. AHA shares and respects opponents concern for the welfare of horses. It is for this reason the Board has taken this position. Increasing reports that horse rescue groups that are full and cannot receive any more horses are also widely being heard.
AHA realizes this is a very passionate issue for our members and other horse owners and lovers. AHA’s overriding concern for horses is the reason the board took this action. It is the sincere belief of the board that humane, closely regulated processing of horses is a better alternative to abandonment, malnourishment or starvation. There is always a segment of horses that there is no market for and the unfortunate result is often mistreatment. When faced with these options, humane slaughter was felt to be better for the horse than a life of misery.
AHA encourages, supports, and promotes all the alternatives to slaughter such as rehoming, rescue work, and enforcement of cruelty laws. AHA is an advocate for new and improved national regulations to insure humane treatment of all animals and promotes responsible horse ownership and breeding. AHA respects opposing views and understands opponents are passionate. However, on this subject AHA believes humane slaughter conducted under US inspection and supervision to be the more humane choice.
Glenn T. Petty
Executive Vice President
Arabian Horse Association
posted by Fran Jurga @ 6/13/2009
9 comments
9 Comments:
How any individual or organizatiom can logically believe that the inhumane horse slaughter industry could ever be regulated to be 'humane' is beyond all rational thought processes. If those in the industry believed it could have been done - don't you think they would have done so before they were shut down? We will never reguate those in the industry to 'care'. It is way past time to stop the export of horses for slaughter. http://www.kaufmanzoning.net/
As for those that neglect or abandon their horses - they should be prosecuted - not rewarded with cash for their crimes.
How extensive was their research when they made a ridiculous statement..... because of the passage of HB503? No such legislation was passed and is still being debated. No dobut, the rest of their research was faulty.
I'd like them to explain what the unintended consequences were since 134,000 horses were slaughtered.
This is a bad position on behalf of the AHA. To state that a total of there 37,000 members supported slaughter is a complete lie. I have countless members droping there membership and we are currently incourging more to drop out. Funny but the AHC seems to be Anti slaughter and were surpise to see the AHA make this statement. Dont these morans know slaughter will NOT make people responsibe. Dont they know slaughter is a foreign owned company that has a history of NOT paying gross income taxes or that they ignore Texas Laws to slaughter horses. Dont they know that this is a slaughter support slaughter industry. The Cattle Raisers association were getting $3.00 per head slaughtered in Texas. In Cheyenne Wy, The Frontier Days Rodeo has banned the use of Cameras and Cell phones. So viewers cant witness the abuse and neglect that these cowboy fools crimes they committe. Dont believe me visit www.Sharkonline.org and Guess who is supporting horse slaughter Representive Sue Wallis of Wy, seems she should practice responsiblity in her own state before she tells others what to do.. Our rights are being taken away at Cheyenne Rodeos..
Check out www.pet-abuse.com. Number of horse neglect/abandonment cases (note: it is number of cases, not number of horses) have decreased since the slaughter houses were shut down.
2005-155 cases
2006-147
2007-139
2008-134
2009 to date-41
Perhaps the AHA could supply their source for the quote "Reports of horses simply being allowed to starve are alarmingly on the rise."
The posting that horses were being left to starve was made by HSUS. They state that thousands of horses are left behind to starve due to drought conditions and the downturn in the economy. It seems pointless to argue the point when HSUS has stated it as a fact. The HSUS is the mainstream organization for protecting animals. So either we allow them to starve to death or we find a way to humanely deal with the situation in a green way. Green ecology means reusing the body for the best possible benefit. That means one does not allow them to starve to death or just kill them and allow the flesh to rot. That is not being green and no I do not think it will result in raising horses for meat as that can be controlled. A quick and painless death can be done and to not use the body as food is absolutely wasteful and certainly not being green. When the flesh rots it creates methane gas and this increases the carbon footprint.
Actually the more domestic animals we put down in this manner the smaller the carbon footprint will be toward global warming.
The only 'green' advocates of horse slaughter care about is the 'green' put into their pockets. When we sent some of our horses to slaughter it was not because we cared one bit about feeding anyone or one bit about the environment nor was the welfare of the horse a concern. We had two concerns... get rid of the horse, get some money for it. Since having my eyes opened to the inhumanity of the horse slaughter industry, I would never again send a horse to slaughter. People who starve or abandon their horses should be charged. Period.
Well being that the AHA is pro-slaughter is not surprising. After all most of the breed organizations are. Of course they would love to see the backyard no name horse wiped out because it will mean that their fancy papered horses with the big names will be worth lots more than the current couple thousand they list them for! After all, isnt it all about money in this society? Who cares what that poor animal feels as the life leaves its body! Killed by the very ones it entrusted its life too! Anyone who wishes to restart the slaughter houses should be ashamed to hold their heads up! Instead of trying to reinstate slaughter why dont you all fix this problem by regulating the breeders and getting the horses fixed?!!! And for Gods Sake, put an end to the PMU industry for good to stop the overload of horses brought to life to be slaughtered! What a disgusting world this is! As far as abandoned, starving horses go, each state should get some standardized laws to deal with abuse and neglect of animals and not let the abusers off so easily. Make it a mandatory prison sentence and heavy fines for mistreating animals. Make it easier to report such conditons. Most people dont even know who to call when they see a case of neglect or abuse. Here we have to call our sheriff, not the ASPCA. The ASPCA here is only an adoption agency for stray cats and dogs and has no funding to handle abuse or neglect cases. Every state has different laws and different agencies to handle neglect and abuse of animals. Until this can be standardized with one law for all states, then the abuse will continue. What we need is a change of the laws, education on the expenses of keeping horses, a reasonably priced gelding clinic, and education on the breeding of horses. Lots more could be done that would be better than just killing thousands of unwanted horses. It is not the horses fault and they shouldnt have to suffer death for the stupidity of humans!
Actually here is what the HSUS had to say about horses left to starve:
"Most horses that go to slaughter are not unwanted, but rather wind up in the hands of killer buyers by happenstance. Horse abandonment and abuse is a sad reality whether or not slaughter is an available option—there is no causal connection between the two issues. High hay prices, drought, poor economic conditions and owner education are all driving forces for horse abuse. Continuing horse slaughter—a form of horse abuse in itself—does not alleviate these problems."
"In order to stop the suffering experienced by horses and put an end to slaughter practices that most Americans abhor, efforts are underway this Congress to pass this legislation (S. 311/H.R. 503) which would establish a permanent ban on horse slaughter. Opponents of the bill are trying to confuse the issue by the untenable argument that the slaughter industry somehow benefits horses"
The comments from "Anonymous on June 16, 2009, at 9:52 are right on, breeders need to be regulated, and, I believe, inspected.
One can justify anything, some of these comments are just plain foolish, i.e., the "green" one about the carbon footprint.
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