Horse slaughter bill concerns some veterinarians [link]
Billings Gazette/Associated Press | Sep. 17, 2008
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Some veterinarians worry that a bill banning horse owners from knowingly sending the animals to slaughter would increase abuse and neglect.
The House Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on a bill today that would send horse owners, dealers or veterinarians to prison if they send a horse to slaughter knowing that the meat may be consumed by humans. Horse meat is considered a delicacy by some in Europe and Asia.
A first offense would be a misdemeanor, but a second could mean prison time. The bill would be subject to approval by the U.S. House and Senate if it passes through the judiciary committee.
Court rulings and pressure from such groups as The Humane Society have closed the final three U.S. slaughter plants. That forced owners to ship unwanted horses to Canada or Mexico.
Doug Corey is an Oregon horse veterinarian and a former president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. He says making slaughter a crime would force some people to turn their domestic horses loose to face death on the roads or starvation. He also says increased hay costs and lower horse resale prices are making it harder to care for the animals.
Don't let extremist groups force sweeping legislation.
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