The horse is part of American heritage, having played a major role in our historical growth and development. Post industrial revolution, horses now contribute significantly to the enjoyment of generations of recreation enthusiasts in America.
Generations ago, our forefathers designated the horse a "favored" animal which means they are not raised for food, not eaten in our culture, commonly given a name and accordingly are taxed differently than traditional food animals.
However millions of American recreational horses have been secretly purchased and slaughtered for the foreign markets. And because of the lack of disclosure on the part of the agents for the foreign owned horse meat industry, people's horses can and have been stolen and their pets purchased without disclosure or under false pretenses. This practice has contributed to crime and consumer fraud.
Would America exist today if it were not for "Brown Beauty", the valiant and noble mare who made history when she tirelessly carried Paul Revere on her back for his famous midnight ride?
As Americans we cannot passively sit back and allow our noble horse to become a casualty of free trade. Horse slaughter is an affront to our culture.
Extensive independent polling shows that voters think it is illegal to slaughter a horse for human consumption; however when informed that it is not, 88%-93% think that it should be.
In l972, Congress enacted the Wild Horse and Burro Act which designated the wild horse as part of American heritage deserving protection against those who would cruelly slaughter them for food. It is inconceivable that the American people or their elected representatives would have wanted any less protection for our domesticated recreational horses?
A recent precedent was established with HR4868 which prohibited the import, export or sale of dog and cat fur. The ban was incorporated into a miscellaneous trade package. Likewise, "the people" want the import, export or sale of American horses for slaughter for human consumption prohibited. The total gross export is less than $30 million dollars a year.
As a voter, I want to inform my representatives regarding this issue and to respectfully urge those seeking re-election to "just say neigh" to horse killers.
Keep America's horses in the stable and off the table.
Respectfully,
Christine Berry
Equine Protection Network
equineprotectionetwork.com
info@equineprotectionnetwork.com
570-345-6440
Cathy Doyle
CA Equine Council
savethehorses.com
savethehorse@earthlink.net
818-768-7752
Susan Wagner
Equine Advocates
equineadvocates.com
info@equineadvocates.com
845-278-3095
Join us in our efforts to end the slaughter of American Horses!