Horse Slaughter - An American Disgrace, Not a Necessary Evil
Horse Slaughter Polls & Survey Results
Virginia Survey Show Voters Oppose Horse Slaughter
Conducted by McLaughlin & Associates of Alexandria, VA
- (74%) of likely voters in Virginia are opposed to “slaughtering horses for human consumption” and believe “horses are an important part of Virginia’s history” and need to be protected from abuse.
- 81% of agricultural households in the state agreed that how horses are transported and treated in “slaughterhouses are cruel and inhumane”
- 76% of Virginia horse owners agreed with those statements.
Horse Slaughter Poll conducted by The Horse Magazine (8/3/03-8/11/03)
Question: Do you think horse slaughter should be outlawed in the United States?
Results:
- Yes (2,025) 76.27%
- Not sure (72) 2.71%
- No (558) 21.02%
- Total Votes: (2,655) 100%
Survey Shows Texans Strongly Oppose Horse Slaughter May 2003
sponsored by:
Blue Horse Charities and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, Inc. of Washington, D.C.
Summary of Findings
- An overwhelming majority (89%) of Texas voters are unaware that horses are being slaughtered in the state for human consumption.
- A substantial majority of voters (72%) are opposed to the slaughter of horses for human consumption.
- A greater majority of voters (77%) are opposed to changing state law to permit the slaughter of horses for human consumption.
- In addition, the opposition to a change in law was intense, with 62% of voters stating that they were strongly opposed .
- By an 8-1 margin, Texas voters associate the value of horses with Texas state culture, heritage and economy rather than the horses value as a simple livestock commodity like cattle.
QUESTION: Please tell which one of the following statements comes closest to your view:
- 11%- Horses, like cattle, are an important livestock commodity and should be treated as such, including slaughter for human consumption.
- 81%- Horses are an important part of Texas culture, heritage and economy and add tremendous value as companions and recreational animals. They should be afforded a more humane end of life than slaughter for food.
Overview of New York Statewide Public Opinion Survey Report on Horse Slaughter 1999
sponsored by Equine Advocates
Conducted by Decision Research Washington D. C./California
Most voters are unfamiliar with horses being slaughtered for food perceiving it as illegal.
- 64% illegal
- 10% legal
- 26% don't know
Voters do not consider horses livestock animals.
- Recreational & Sporting Animal 57%
- Companion Animal 34%
- Livestock Animal 6%
- Don't Know 3%
Then asked if Companion vs Livestock.
- Companion 85%
- Livestock 12%
- Don't Know 4%
Position on Horse Slaughter
- Oppose - Cruel & Inhumane & should be Outlawed 57%
- Oppose - but Government shouldn't Intervene 24%
- Support - don't mind Export of Horses for Food 10%
- Don't Care - 6%
- Don't Know - 2%
Top Reasons to Ban
- Horse slaughter is cruel and inhumane 73%
- Horses should be humanely put to sleep 67%
- Dogs & cats are protected so should horses 59%
Overview of California Statewide Public Opinion Survey Report on Horse Slaughter 1997
sponsored by the California Equine Council
Conducted by Decision Research Washington D. C./California
SAMPLE
600 complete interviews with a random sample of likely November l998 voters in California. Telephone interviews were conducted by professional interviewers from March 8-11, l997. In a scientifically selected sample of this size, normal statistical error would be plus or minus 4%. That is to say that in 95% of all samples drawn from the same population, the findings would not differ from the findings reported here by more than 4%.
THERE IS STRONG SUPPORT FOR CITIZEN BALLOT MEASURES
When asked what they think results in better laws and policy, 66% said laws made through citizen ballot initiatives, while 23% said state laws passed by the state's elected officials. About 11% are unsure. About 51% of the voters say a very convincing argument for the "Save the American Horse" measure is that the special interests in the legislature have failed to stop the slaughter, so voters have to take direct action. An additional 27% say it is somewhat convincing.
FAMILIARITY WITH HORSE SLAUGHTER ISSUES
Most Californians have not heard about horses being bred in America and slaughtered for food in other countries. Three out of five respondents had not heard or read anything about American horses being bred for slaughter, but fully 40% had heard or read something about it.
VOTERS BELIEVE THAT SELLING HORSES FOR SLAUGHTER FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IS ILLEGAL...OR IT SHOULD BE
Fully 69% agree, and 27% disagree that even though there may be a market overseas for horsemeat, it should not be allowed to be exported from the United States.
FEW VOTERS WOULD EAT HORSEMEAT
Only 11% agree they would eat horsemeat if it were legal and available in California. About 87% would not, and 2% are unsure.
HORSES ARE NOT CONSIDERED FOOD ANIMALS
Only 3% of the voters say that horses are a food animal to be used for meat like pigs, cattle and sheep, with an additional 23% saying they are farm animals. However, 38% say horses are recreation and sporting animals, and 31% say they are companion animals. About 6% are unsure.
INITIALLY VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY FAVOR PROHIBITING THE SLAUGHTER OF HORSES FOR CONSUMPTION.
Nearly 70% would favor a "Save the American Horse" measure to prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption. About 26% are opposed and 4% are unsure.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE SURVEY, SUPPORT FOR THE PROHIBITION IS UNCHANGED.
With 70% indicating they would favor prohibition, and 26% saying they would vote "no," with 4% undecided on the issue.
SUPPORTERS:
Say they are companion animals/Say they like animals/Say they like horses in particular/Say it is cruel and inhumane/Say animals should not be killed/Say they are pets/Say they should not be eaten.
TOP TEN REASONS TO SUPPORT PROHIBITING HORSE SLAUGHTER
(In order of importance to voters):
- Horses are cruelly slaughtered.
- Horses should be afforded the same protection against slaughter as dogs and cats.
- Legislature has failed, so voters must take action directly.
- Horses can be slaughtered without the knowledge of the previous owners.
- Horse meat sold as gourmet item, not to feed hungry people.
- Horses should be humanely put to sleep, not bludgeoned.
- Don't eat horses here, shouldn't send overseas to be eaten.
- Horses are used for recreation not food.
- Horses not bred for food, no need to regulate them.
- Horses are part of our heritage and culture.
Letter from the syndicated news magazine "Hard Copy"
November 22, 1995
Dear
The following is the information you requested detailing the audience response to the story we did on the horse slaughter industry.
The audience response was overwhelming. Between calls made in response to the poll we ran and general calls made to our New York and Los Angeles offices, it was clear that our viewing audience was outraged by this story.
Thr response came from all over the United States. As the following numbers indicate, their message was clear. Stop slaughtering our horses for human consumption in other countries.
The poll which followed the story asked the question "Should horse slaughter be banned?"
Total calls logged: 50, 154
Yes it should be banned: 46,441 calls
No it should not be banned: 3,713 calla
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019-6783
(212) 664-7600
FAX: (212)654-4732
WISH-TV (Indiana) 2001
Three part series on Horse Slaughter
Results of Interactive Poll
Q: Do you think Indiana should enact legislation banning horse slaughter auctions?
Yes - 91%
WKBW (New YorK) 2001
Two-Part Series on Horse Slaughter
Results of Interactive Poll
Q: Do you oppose horse slaughter?
Yes - 86%
WBTV (North Carolina) 2001
Two-Part Series on Horse Slaughter
Results of Interactive Poll
Results of WBTV's Poll on Horse Slaughter:
- 78% didn't know horses were being killed and eaten
- 21% did know
- 2% not sure
On the question concerning if it should be legal for horses to be killed:
- 76% no
- 17% yes
- 6% unsure