The Ban is Lifted

On November 18th President Obama quietly signed a Department of Agriculture bill that reinstated the use of federal funds for the inspection of horses headed to slaughter.  A ban on horse slaughter was instituted by Congress in 2006.

I'm really torn on this subject.  I am a horse lover so of course I am against horse slaughter, but on the other hand I've seen what the ban has done on the horse industry in the United States.

Unwanted horses are turned free or left attended to starve to death.  The value of horses has dropped dramatically.  Horses had to be hauled to either Mexico or Canada to be slaughtered and faced very inhumane environments in addition to harsh traveling conditions.

I am a responsible horse owner and I have the means to properly care for my horses.  Perhaps potential horse owners should have to attend a class on what is involved in responsible horse ownership, but before we can do that for horses we should probably have a class on responsible parenting for all the unwanted, abused, and mistreated children in our country (a subject for another day).
I suppose the people of France and Japan will be happy to have a supply of horse meat that comes from the U.S.
 
My heart is breaking.  My boys will always have a home with me so I can ensure they never end up at a slaughter house.
 
 
 
 
 
 
What are your feelings on horse slaughter?

Comments

Jillian said…
It's a necessary evil until there are stricter regulations on breeding, to prevent "backyard breeders" from contributing to the overpopulation of horses in this country. With artificial insemination, a single mare can have 3-4+ foals per year and a stallion can sire thousands. Many consider slaughter to be more humane than euthanasia, and it is definitely more humane than allowing an unwanted animal to die of starvation or neglect. The American Association of Equine Practioners supports slaughter, and I think it's great that Obama actually listened to leaders in the industry.

Not to mention when it was legal, it was a multi BILLION dollar industry. Legalizing it creates jobs and allows for a very valuable export commodity.
November 30, 2011 at 4:17 PM
Yogi♪♪♪ said…
MIL Nana has an acquaintance who provides specialty animals for slaughter such as feral hogs and buffalo for the Vietnamese community and such.

He talks a lot about how the ban on slaughtering was a sham and how poorly the horses were treated in Mexico prior to slaughter.

At least with the ban lifted we can regulate how the horses are treated.
December 1, 2011 at 5:30 AM
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