The HR 503 bill would ban transport of horses for slaughter for human comsumption. Transport of horses on trucks intended for cattle and smaller livestock is inhumane, and the slaughter of these beautiful animals (in many cases after years of the horse being slaughtered providing recreation and companionship to humans) is something that our nation can and should do without.
HR 503 has 203 bi-partisan co-sponsors and has a good chance, but there is heavy pressure being put on from the slaughter industry to fight it. Big bucks lobbyists have been hired, and they are spreading the message that if this bill doesn't pass, thousands of abused and unwanted horses will be allowed to starve to death, etc etc. Having been raised on a farm, with many years experience in the equine industry, I can tell you that these concerns are extremely exaggerated -- simply a lobbying ploy to kill support for the bill. Slaughter of horses was banned in California in 1998 and there has been no increase in abused equines since then, but horse theft has dropped 34%.
It will help if you make a quick call or fax or e-mail by early tomorrow (Thursday, when the vote is to be taken) to your Congressional office in D.C., saying that you want your congressperson to SUPPORT HR 503 to end horse slaughter. I just called the entire PA delegation. It's a hot issue and the staffers are getting hit pretty hard -- it's one of those issues where they ARE taking note of the calls coming in pro and con.
Here are some good links about the issue:
http://www.saplonline.org/horses.htmhttp://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/equine_protection/get_the_facts_on_horse_slaughter.htmlhttp://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/equine_protection/horse_slaughter_common_myths.html#Fact_There_isPlease KEEP KICKED, and spread this message far and wide. Thanks!