I'd be willing to call his bluff. Some people would do anything for a buck even kill horses, makes one feel safe dosen't it that some politicians are kind, caring people.
This is terrible. How anyone could slaughter horses is sick. I really hope that this bill doesn't get passed. Then I'd have to work really hard to get my parents to try to rescue and protect those poor horses.
I understand why some people think that we need slaughterhouses for horses. If people were willing to look after their animals until they died, we wouldn't have the problem of unwanted horses. Also, fining rescue groups because they won't take in more animals is ridiculous! You can on care for so many animals on a piece of property. I think that the government should make a facility where it is hundreds of acres and people can turn their horses over for $100 and they go out on the range and live out their lives.
I would like to see a poll of how many people are against horse slaughter post banning of slaughter in 2007. I bet that number has changed. As a veterinary student, cow/calf producer and hunter/jumper of 10 years, I have seen a change in opinion in my friends and colleagues in all areas from 2007 until now. I know several people who were against it and still are. I also know several people (including a vegan) who believes the overflux of horses is causing horse mistreatment and neglect to rise. Before, our country had control over how horse slaughter was performed. Now, people who don't know what they are doing are doing it on the black market, or these horses get shipped to other countries where we have no say in what happens to them. Now, people that mean well take horses in without realizing the expense and time and knowledge that goes into properly caring for them and end up neglecting them. Now, horses are dropped of on people's properties, at horse shows (or just put in other people's horse trailers), or in deserts and back roads. Just because they are not being slaughtered doesn't mean the welfare of the horse population has increased.
People don't understand that horse slaughter is needed for this industry. The thought of horse slaughter sounds aweful I do admit, but think of what people are doing now that slaughter is closed. People are taking horses to Mexico where they are slaughtered inhumanely, just lettin them run all around, and leaving them in a trailer to die. The government is using our money to pay for all of the unwanted horses. I have horses and without the market it is pointless to breed them if I wont make any money. By opening the slaughter up again the horses would be treated more humane than they are now. I feel bad for all of the horses that are running around because the slaughter is not opened.
The unfortunate part in this whole scheme is the horses...they have to bear the inhumane treatment because somebody or come organization..breeds too many.. and they did not turn out to be a money maker..the key word here is money..and so.. they just dump them..the people breeding need to be held accountable for the many unwanted animals..then lets see what happens..and just an FYI..the horses are loaded into cattle vans..no food no water for days on end and then led off to be brutally killed..and thats OK..sounds like the same type of people who led the jews off trains..the outcome is the same..once again..a long lost quote..a Nation is judge by how well they treat their animals..wonder where the US stands..we are becoming a third world country fast
Ok, breeders quit breeding. To penalize rescue operations is ridiculous, just like most laws pending. Right now, a rescue operation is under such scrutiny that it prohibits a lot of things that are needed. Granted, the economy has a lot to do with all of this but it's always about money. Do you realize that by bringing back slaughter houses there will be no taxes paid..but local area's will have to put out of their own pockets, clean up and reclaiming the land and water that is polluted, daily. Penalties, in the millions, will be assessed but never collected. Would you like to build next to a slaughter facility? Property value, it won't increase, that's for sure. Spose AQHA is behind all this too, guess where over breeding started, along with the race horse industry. There is never an easy solution, it's never just one thing but a multitude of situations. You can't just use compassion to rule your judgement, it should be a combination of compassion and logic. Americans do not raise horses for commercial use, so should not be treated as such.
instead of forcing the rescue groups to take on horses they cant take care of, i think that senator should have to take them in on his own property and provide everything they need for the rest of the horses' life. i mean, he's a senator, he's rich he could do it. horse slaughter, i know, is horrible to think about. but is it not worse to think of horses starving to death or being neglected by their owners due to providing for their children first cause the cost of horse care has went up so much? we all just see horses more as a pet and part of the family than livestock, so slaughter is just unbarable to think about. also, think about all the millions of pets, (dogs & cats), who get put to sleep every year due to being unwanted. nothing wrong with alot of them, just unwanted. does anyone ever try to stop that? it seems to me, that the main reason for all this "killing" horses, dogs, and cats, is overpopulation, which is our own fault!! stop over breeding trying to make a buck people!! get your animals "fixed"!!! these are living breathing caring loving creatures at stake. if all the breed organizations would put a stop on new registries for several years, or absolutely stop the breeding in their breed for several years, then that would slow down the ever growing over population. not to mention, none of us have ever had go threw starvation. but in other countries it happens. and horse slaughter provides for those who are literally starving. plus all the zoos feed horse meat to their big cats. what are they doing? for all we know, they have contracts with private farms or ranches to breed and butcher horses only to feed those big cats. has anyone ever thought about that? at least with slaughter houses open, the meat will be used by someone. there just needs to be very strict rules, regulations, and inspections at the slaughter houses. its just a lose/lose situation either way you look at it.
I have followed the bills in Virginia and i have to say i was saddened by the fact that the Virginia Horse Council supported these bills. The fact that they may say someone could be prosecuted for not supplying feed or water why a horse is being trailered is irresponsible. The law that they support states that your only requirement for your livestock. Is to provide feed to prevent malnourishment and water to prevent dehydration. You are not required to provide potable water just a mud hole will do. You are not required to provide any shelter at any time and there is no mention of minimum space requirements. Commonsense would tell you not to leave a clipped horse out in a freezing rain without a blanket, with it head tied in a portable stall that does not let it turn around. But, according to to the new law that is just fine. You could leave a horse in that situation everyday 365 days a year. As long as you provide enough feed to prevent malnourishment and water to prevent dehydration that is OK. The Horse Council, along with The Farm Bureau and the Veterinary association are paving the way for CAFOs to come to Virginia. CAFOs are Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. They are being out lawed across the country for there inhumane treatment of Swine, Chickens and Veal. Smithfield the worlds largest pork producer in the world is headquartered in Virginia. They wanted this animal cruelty law changed and The Horse Council, The Farm Bureau ( Which is nothing more than an insurance company) and the VMA were more than glad to help. There has never been a conviction of a animal cruelty over turned by a higher court in Virginia and none of those convictions were done under the companion animal statue. As always these and other Lobbyist are tools for large corporations trying to get laws changed to benefit their bottom line.