Bill (was Ban) Against the Slaughtering of Horses
 

Erm...gosh, I'm sorry but I'm so distracted by the mention of 52 states...last time I checked there were still only 50 :shrug:

50 staes that r connected...the other 2 are Hawaii and Alaska that arent connected

Oh. Dear. God.

WHAT are they (not) teaching you in school???

There are 48 states on the continent - and Alaska and Hawaii make 50...remember that on your next geography test ;)

OH WHOOPSI! Sorry.....Its late my mom is rambling in my ear and she is drunk so its hard to think! I will try to change that.

Hey - as long as you learn something it's all good ;)

No no - what really concerns me is that this isn't totally your mistake - that petition claims there are 52 states as well.....I'm just persnickety about this sort of stuff :p

My mom typed out the petition...So its my mom's fault I just went along with it.

It actually says "all 52 U.S. countries".

How is brutal slaughtering of horses any worse than brutal slaughtering of any other animal?

That is awful, Cait. Thank you for trying to draw our attention to this...

I got stuck at the first line. What is a U.S country?

That's true. It seems outrageous to kill a horse but few people are outraged by a steak.

beef cattle are raised to be food :shrug: no death is pleasant though...

She and her Mom wrote it. You've got to fix that if you want people to take your petition seriously.

:shrug: But if ANYONE in the U.S. Congress is to take this seriously - it would help is the petitioner at least knew how many states there are in the country.

Also - that they're not referred to as countries :shrug:

Yes, this IS awful - but sadly I'm just doubtful this petition is completely on the up and up.

Right, in the title it says "52 countries". I would delete the petition and start over. I'd also cite some sources about horse slaughtering, how it is done and why it is humane, so people understand why they are signing. There are also numerous spelling and grammatical errors.

Caitlin, if you want me to proofread your revised version I can do that.

Right - like have some facts and sources to back this up. Not just a poem about horses. Lovely a poem as it is - if anyone is actually going to take action they generally need a little more meat to what they're signing. :o

Interesting...not one person on the other board you posted to mentioned anything about your mother's gramatically skills, her geological intelligence, and/or her lack of reference material. :shrug:

Caitlin, the fact that your mother created the petition with the hope of gathering enough signatures for submission to various legislative branches in an effort to give voice to the inhumane treatment of animals (horses) is commendable. And, I think it is cool that you want to help your mom out in putting it out there in an effort to obtain signatures from those you know.

Keep up the good work, let your mom know how many states there are, and let her know of the spelling errors. If she fixes them, the effort could be more successful in that people won't shred the obvious errors and be leary of signing.

Good luck! :cool:

would it be ok if the horses were eaten after being shot? I think people would be even more outraged then.

I don't know what board you're talking about but I guess that relflects more on those members than it does on the people here who've raised practical point

Yes, of course.

I think people were just kindly trying to point out that most registered voters won't take this petition seriously if corrections aren't made. :shrug: That's all.

Yes, and I think I expressed that. I guess I just want Caitlin to understand that we are here to help her and thank her...and in no way are saying she and/or her mother are unintelligent. I may well have not espressed myself correctly, but I do the best that I can to be clear. I guess I just do not want the words she reads to 'sting.' Sorry guys... I meant no harm.

^^

I guess I am guilty of not reading correctly - I didn't realize her mother actually created the petition.

And I was not trying to infer that either her or her mother are unintelligent - I though the petition came from an outside source - either way - it had a glaring mistake - and I apologize if I came across bitchy in the way I pointed it out - that was not my intent...

I am a vegetarian and big supporter of animal rights, but I won't sign this petition or any like it (grammatically correct, factually accurate, or otherwise).

I don't see a horse's life as being any more valuable than that of a cow, chicken, pig, turkey, or other "food" animal. I also understand why they are being slaughtered. It's a sad fact that - like other domestic animals - there are more horses in the U.S. than there are homes for them. Horses that are injured or simply too old to be of value are often sold at auction because the owners just don't want to deal with them anymore. So-called "killer buyers" - horse dealers that specialize in collecting animals to be sold for slaughter - know this and so frequent horse auctions.

Other horses sold at auction come from round ups of the ferals that roam certain parts of the country (I say "feral" because there is no such thing as a wild horse. They are not native to this country and their true wild form has become extinct in the regions where they were once native). These round ups are a sad necessity to control the population because there are not enough large predators (thanks to human encroachment and over-hunting) to keep the numbers in check.

There is one other big source of horse meat in the U.S., and if you want to take steps to end the slaughter this is where you should focus your attention. The pharmaceutical industry is manufacturing several drugs designed as estrogen replacement therapy for menopausal women. The best known of these drugs is called Premarin - which is short for Pregnant mare urine. Untold numbers of mares are bred repeatedly for the sole purpose of collecting their urine. They are made to stand in rows with "collection bags" attached to their hindquarters. These bags keep the horse's skin in constant contact with urine. Prolonged contact with urine causes burns to the skin and leads to infection. Once the mare gives birth, the company has no use for the resulting foal. The foal is nothing more than a by-product of urine production and most of these babies end up in slaughter houses.

^^^^OH. MY. GAWD.


that was awful. I never knew that is where premarin came from. That is so awful :(
This is off the topic, but :


I am a member of PETA (just recently joined) and have been a member of the humane society of the US for about 3 years. I just got an article from the HSofUS regarding force feeding ducks and geese. This article literally made me cry.
http://www.hsus.org/farm/camp/ffa/



Paté de foie gras, translated from French, is simply "fatty liver." This so-called gourmet delicacy is the product of extreme animal cruelty.

Ducks and geese are forced-fed unnaturally large quantities of food through a metal tube that is shoved down their throats and into their stomachs two or three times each day. The extensive overfeeding causes their livers to become diseased. The livers become enlarged up to ten times their normal size, making it difficult for the birds to move comfortably and, for some, even walk.

The practice of force-feeding can cause painful bruising, lacerations, sores, and even organ rupture. On some foie gras factory farms, the birds are severely restricted inside small, filthy cages where they cannot even turn around or spread their wings.

Due to animal welfare concerns, more than a dozen countries—including the United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Israel (formerly the world's fourth-largest foie gras producing nation), Norway, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland—have prohibited the production of foie gras. In 2004, California became the first U.S. state to ban the cruel force-feeding of birds and the sale of foie gras produced from force-fed birds, effective 2012. And in 2006, Chicago—famous for its meatpacking history—banned the sale of foie gras.

The HSUS is committed to ending the misery and abuse endured by hundreds of thousands of ducks and geese to produce foie gras. Our efforts include the following:

In Legislatures

In 2004, The HSUS was part of a coalition that helped pass a bill in California to ban both the force-feeding of birds for foie gras and the sale of foie gras from force-fed birds—the first time such a bill was enacted anywhere in the United States.

And in 2006, The HSUS worked with city officials, our members, residents, and other animal protection groups to pass a ban on the sale of foie gras in Chicago.

The HSUS supports similar humane legislation in other U.S. cities and states to protect birds from cruel force-feeding.

With Corporations and Restaurants

The HSUS actively works with corporate retailers and restaurants to encourage them to leave foie gras off their store shelves and menus.

With the Public

Given the abuses inherent in force-feeding, it’s not surprising that a growing number of consumers are rejecting foie gras as too cruel to support. The HSUS provides information explaining the welfare issues with force-feeding birds for this "delicacy of despair


:mad: :distress: :distress:

Niki I wanna say Thanks! :xoxo: BTW everyone my mom re-did the petiton So when its up I will re-post it.

I'm surprised you hadn't heard about Premarin production then. Here's the HSUS's page about it:

The Facts About Premarin

OK...sounds good! :thumbsup:

Maybe people on that "other board" PM'd her and pointed out the mistakes?

I think the rest of your post is excellent. I like how you showed support for her intentions but also pointed out the mistakes. The way you approached it was very classy. :;>. )

Perhaps those members PM'd her privately and pointed out the mistakes?

When I was over in France and eating at a resturant in Paris, there was this item on the menu called Cheval. I asked the waiter what that was and he was "Horse." I was like I think I'll pass...

Um, you missed my point--that many of us eat beef and dont think about the fact that those animals were once alive :shrug: The difference is what the animals are RAISED for, be it food or some other purpose. Are these horses bound for the glue factory for some reason? (disease, old age, not fit for any purpose due to injury)

Yes people are outraged about this because we tend to think of Horses as companions, work animals, sport animals etc. We dont tend to think of them as food because we havent traditionally eaten them. However, I recall reading somewhere that horse meat is used in pet food so they ARE used for food domestically.

In any event, (and I dont know if this was already posted yet or not) there IS legislation in the works to ban this practice of exporting the meat for food:

here is a link to a more current article:
Congress holds Hearings on Horse Slaughter

Personally, If I really wanted to make a difference in this issue, I would align myself with some of these high profile groups (such as the Humane Society (laws/legislation page) or the United States Equine Sanctuary and Rescue or the International Fund for Horses among others) who have lobbyists in place in the Capital. I dont see how an independent petition (though well meaning) can really make a difference. I know this because I once went that route with my crusade against child molesters. Even though I got a respectable number of signatures, it went nowhere because I didnt have any top level connections to funnel it to. IMO, Its just not a realistic approach for a solution unfortunately.

from The Human Society of the United States
 

It looks as though this issue is already going before congress this Thurs so the way to take action is to call your house rep:

Support H.R. 503, the Horse Slaughter Prevention Act

National Call-In Day for Horses is tomorrow! A vote on the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503) is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 7. Your help is needed to permanently move American horses beyond the reach of slaughterhouse butchers.

Last year, almost 100,000 American horses suffered and died in the United States in foreign-owned slaughterhouses so that their flesh could be flown to Europe and Asia for human consumption. We must send a clear signal to the world that our horses are not here to be slaughtered for food and we do not want them on the chopping block for foreign diners.

Here's what you can do to help:

1. Make the call Sept. 6. Call your U.S. Representative, via the Congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121. If you're not sure what to say, try this: "I am a constituent and I am calling to ask that the Representative please protect American horses from slaughter and support H.R. 503, the Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. I also urge you to oppose any amendments to H.R. 503. I am very concerned about American horses and I don't want them slaughtered."

2. Let us know you called. Follow up your phone calls by letting us know you called to support the end of horse slaughter in the United States.

Please take both steps! We must light up the phones in the Capitol because there already is very vigorous lobbying by the slaughter industry and its allies. We must counter them at every turn.

Please encourage your friends and family to make the call, too. Your calls will not only make a difference, they will help make history. Help us end horse slaughter in the United States forever.

Sincerely,

Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
The Humane Society of the United States

WARNING: This video is pretty graphic. :(

http://www.hsus.org/video_clips/keep...table_and.html

One of these slaughter houses made 12 mil and only paid 5 dollars in taxes according to the video linked above.

yeah-they sent post cards to all members of the humane society of the US and asked for signatures and then they would mail them. I sent mine already!:nod: :nod:

The ban passed in the house!

http://www.time.com/time/nation/arti...532672,00.html

That's good...
 

figured it would.

Here is an article I read this morning in the Daily Oklahoman newspaper, since this bill will have a major impact on the Oklahoma economy (Since the state economy realizes heavily upon the Horsing industry) :

"Horse slaughter draws mixed views"

By Chad Previch
The Oklahoman

As Congress prepares to vote in Washington on horse slaughtering, those in the heartland have expressed everything from outrage to understanding on the practice.

A vote in the House might occur as early as today on the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, which would prohibit the shipping of horses to be slaughtered for human consumption.

The debate could come down to emotion, rather than rational thinking, said Cindy Chilton-Moore, general manager for the Palomino Horse Breeders Association in Tulsa.

"We're wanting to know what's going to be done with those unwanted horses," Chilton-Moore said. "Will they be neglected? Will they starve to death? The legislation as it's written does not address what will be the end result of those horses."

The bill would amend the Horse Protection Act to "prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption, and for other purposes."

Concerned about restrictive language
Chilton-Moore said she supports the spirit of the bill but is concerned that its language will restrict moving horses for horse shows. She said there are between 80,000 and 90,000 horses slaughtered in the United States yearly.

There are two slaughterhouses in Texas and one in Illinois. Chilton-Moore said when California passed a similar ban, five slaughterhouses were built in Mexico.

She's said she's sure those numbers will increase and is concerned because "we can't legislate other countries' methods.

"It's an emotional issue, but we've got to have some conclusion to what's going to happen to those horses."

David Patterson, spokesman for the National Reining Horse Association in Oklahoma City, said his group is not for or against the bill.

"It's the horse owner's right to do whatever he needs to do with his horse or to his horse," he said. "They have a right to choose. It's his own business."

Horse owner Ralph Hale of Oklahoma City said he is strongly against slaughtering horses for consumption.

"That is repulsive," he said. "Beef is one thing. But equine consumption is just kind of wrong. Disgusting. I'm sure that they do it in other countries but we have beef and enough cows in the United States to support the eating habits of Americans."

Owners can control the horse population by separating males and females in pastures, Hale said.

Even oilman Boone Pickens entered the fray. He sponsored a series of full-page ads in newspapers across the United States, including USA Today, supporting the bill. The ads asked the public to contact lawmakers to urge support for the bill.

Illegal in many states
According to The National Horse Protection Coalition, slaughtering for human consumption is illegal in many states, but foreign-owned companies process horse meat by using federal loopholes. In 2005, they sent 39.5 million pounds of horse meat to France, Belgium and Japan for human consumption.

Congress attempted to stop slaughtering of horses last year. Slaughterhouses can't operate without inspections by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Congress voted to prevent the USDA from spending funds for inspections.

But in February, the USDA essentially sidestepped Congress by announcing that slaughterhouses could pay for the inspections.

Wayne Pacelle, president of The Humane Society of the United States, wants Congress to pass the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.

"Killing horses for export for human consumption is unnecessary and inhumane, and it is long overdue that the Congress put an end to this practice," he said in a statement. "Horse slaughter is not a question of property rights, but a matter of personal responsibility and public standards in the care of animals."