Press Releases
American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act Reintroduced in U.S.
Congress
WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 13, 2003 -- U.S. Representative John Sweeney
(R-NY), Chairman of the Congressional Horse Caucus, and U.S.
Representative John Spratt (D-SC) today reintroduced the American
Horse Slaughter Prevention Act which will ban the trade in horsemeat
and live horses for human consumption. An identical version
of this bill will soon be introduced in the United States Senate.
"Many horses are hauled to slaughter and killed under
inhumane conditions. Some of the horses who are killed for this
industry have been stolen or acquired under false pretenses
(the families who owned the horses were told they were going
to a good home) and other animals may be wild horses illegally
sold for their meat. The American people want the cruelty to
end and the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act will do
that," said Representative Sweeny.
Supporters of the measure include Sir Paul McCartney and horse
industry organizations including the New York Racing Association,
the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, and the Breeders'
Cup. Federal legislation and the attention it is receiving are
helping to bring this industry out of the shadows it has enjoyed
for far too long.
"This bill is necessary because of the cruel treatment
and dubious practices employed by those engaged in horse slaughter.
I've witnessed first hand the suffering inflicted on horses
at every stage of the process from unloading to death -- it's
appalling. Anyone who truly cares about horses should be supporting
this measure," said Chris Heyde of the Society for Animal
Protective Legislation.
"Horses are a national treasure and perhaps more than any
other animal, a symbol of the American pioneer spirit. I am
pleased to be a sponsor of this bill," said Representative
Spratt.
"We applaud Representatives Sweeney and Spratt for introducing
the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. This important
bill will end this atrocious trade for good. It is long overdue,
and has our strong support," said Holly E. Hazard, Executive
Director of the Doris Day Animal League. The DDAL and SAPL,
both based in Washington, D.C., are national organization lobbying
on behalf of animal protection legislation on the local, state
and
federal levels.
For further information, contact:
Liz Clancy Ross of the Doris Day Animal League
202-546-1761 x 30, 202-497-6780 (cell)
OR
Chris Heyde of the Society for Animal Protective Legislation
202-337-2334
