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Pro slaughter individuals and organizations make the claim thatslaughter prevents starvation Yet there is no scientific substantiation to this claim.
The following pages contain photos of horses that were sold at PA horse auctions in apparent violation of the PA Crimes Code, Title 18, Section 5511(d). The Equine Protection Network, EPN has documented the conditions of horses sold at PA horse auctions since 1995. The EPN pressed for the enforcement of the law prohibiting the sale of a disabled horse to no avail until the Pennsylvania State Police, PSP, responded to our complaints in 1998. Since that first successful prosecution by the PSP at the New Holland Sales Stables, enforcement has spread to other horse auctions across PA. In 2002 the PA Department of Agriculture published the Fit For Sale brochure. For a copy of the Fit For Sale Brochure contact: PA Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, PA - Phone: 717-787-4626 PA Crimes Code, Title 18, 5511(d)Selling or using disabled horse.--A person commits a summary offense if he offers for sale or sells any horse, which by reason of debility, disease or lameness, or for other cause, could not be worked or used without violating the laws against cruelty to animals, or leads, rides, drives or transports any such horse for any purpose, except that of conveying the horse to the nearest available appropriate facility for its humane keeping or destruction or for medical or surgical treatment. Auctions do not meet the definition of an appropriate facility for humane keeping, destruction or for medical or surgical treatment. Horse auctions SELL horses. Enforcement of current states' anti cruelty laws and animal health regulations would prevent the sale and transport of many of these horses. |
The claim by pro slaughter groups that slaughter prevents starvation is not based on fact. There are no scientific research studies to back up this claim.
Law enforcement officers who have investigated cases of horse starvation can attest to the owners' statements that they, "love their horses" and would never do them any harm. These people will go to court and spend thousands of dollars on attorney fees to have their "beloved" horses returned to them, and to be cleared of any charges of cruelty to horses. These owners starve their horses because they are irresponsible! Owners and caretakers fail to avail themselves to the vast amounts of information available at the library, in horse magazines, on the Internet, local 4-H and Pony Clubs, veterinarians, feed stores, etc. Information on how to properly care and maintain a horse is easily available, the problem arises due to the fact that these owners are irresponsible. |
The availability of slaughter did not protect these horses from starvation. These horses suffered for a long time before their owners decided to rid themselves of the problem by sending the horse to an auction or selling the horse to a concerned horse lover who purchased the horse as a means of rescuing the horse from the neglectful situation.
Neither of these scenarios punishes the owner for the cruelty inflicted upon the horse! Horses starve due to several reasons. Often the owners fail to properly feed the horses during the winter or during drought. The horses lose weight every winter and then regain the weight in the summer. This is a very common scenario perpetuated by owners who do know better, but who choose not to properly feed for one reason - MONEY. Another common reason is pure laziness. Owners or caretakers, "forgot to feed last night" or " I was busy and was only able to feed them once yesterday". Repeated enough times and the result is a starved horse. When you saw a neglected, sick, or injured horse at auction, what action did you take to report the crime? |
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