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U.S. House of Representatives Passes Permanent Ban on Horse Slaughter
The Humane Society of the United States Applauds House Action and Urges Quick Passage in the Senate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON (Sept. 7) – In a historic step toward ending the slaughter of American horses for human consumption abroad, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 503, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, in a vote of 263 to 146. The Humane Society of the United States, the largest animal protection organization in the country, has been lobbying Congress to enact the ban and applauds today’s action.
“The House today took us one giant step closer to halting the barbaric and needless slaughter of American horses for foreign consumers,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. “Now it’s up to the U.S. Senate to replicate its prior votes against the disreputable practice of horse slaughter and establish enduring protections for these icons of our culture.”
Two amendments were offered to gut H.R. 503, and the House defeated both measures. An amendment by Rep. Robert Goodlatte (R-Va.) was defeated 177 to 229, and the amendment by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) was defeated 149 to 256.
The legislation -- introduced in the House by John Sweeney (R-N.Y.), Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), John Spratt (D-S.C.) and Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) and in the Senate, as S. 1915, by John Ensign (R-Nev.) and Mary Landrieu (D-La.) -- prohibits the slaughter of horses or the trade, sale and transport of horseflesh and live horses intended for human consumption. “We are tremendously grateful to our leaders and to the majority of the House members who have taken a humane and decisive stand with their action today,” added Pacelle.
Last year, the House and Senate overwhelmingly passed amendments to halt horse slaughter by de-funding inspections at slaughterhouses. But the U.S. Department of Agriculture side-stepped the new law to allow the three foreign-owned slaughterhouses to continue operating in the United States. The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act would ensure a permanent ban on slaughter.
Nearly 100,000 horses are slaughtered each year in this country, and the cruelty is not limited to the slaughter itself. Economics, not humane considerations, dictate transport conditions, and horses are crowded into trucks that don’t allow them to raise their heads, frequently for very long distances. Once there, the animals are in a highly agitated state as they are prodded onto the kill floor, where they can see, hear, and smell other horses being killed.
“Horse slaughter is simply indefensible, and polls show that the vast majority of Americans agree,” Pacelle said. “As we build on today’s successful vote and take the debate to the Senate, we urge humane-minded citizens to call and write their senators and get this legislation passed once and for all.”
Media Contact:
Polly Shannon, 301-721-6440 or 703-283-5104, pshannon@hsus.org
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than 9.5 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammals, animals in research, equine protection, and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy and field work. The nonprofit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country. On the web at www.hsus.org.
Lou Guyton, Director
Humane Society of the United States
Southwest Regional Office
6815 Manhattan, Suite 102
Fort Worth, Texas 76103
817-492-8000
Fax 817-492-8006
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