Post by Admin on Jun 23, 2008 10:19:04 GMT -5
www.pressregister.com/articles/2008/06/22/opinion/doc485ea57bef789402106493.txt
Lawmakers right to protect horses
By Larry Liddell
Sunday, June 22, 2008 2:34 PM CDT
As most of you know, I love all animals,
The subject of horse slaughter gets my blood boiling quicker than anything I can think of at the moment.
While horse slaughter no longer occurs in the United States, in 2007, more than 100,000 American horses were exported to Canada and Mexico, where they were killed, processed and exported for human consumption in Europe and Asia.
Each year, thousands of horses are purchased at auction by killer-buyers, stolen from farms and acquired illegally.
Across the border, they are often slaughtered using barbaric practices such as shooting and stabbing. Some have even been beaten to death. I first met Mary Landrieu in 1971 when I joined the staff of the New Orleans Saints.
Her father was the mayor of New Orleans, Moon Landrieu, and she was (I think) 15 years old at the time. I didn’t hear of her again until she ran for the U.S.
Senate and have kept up with her ever since. She is a Democrat, so we don’t often agree on politics.
However, she and I are on the same side when it comes to slaughtering horses.
Sen. Landrieu (D-La.) is sponsoring the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (S. 311/H.R. 503), currently pending in both chambers of Congress.
This very important legislation would outlaw the transportation of horses either domestically or internationally for slaughter. The bill is sponsored in the House by Rep. John Ensign, a Republican from Nevada, making it a bipartisan piece of legislation.
Interestingly, current Presidential contenders John McCain, R-AZ, and Barack Obama, D-IL, have joined other 36 other senators as well as 204 Representatives in co-sponsoring the bill in their respective chambers.
Now comes word that the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) is launching “Project Wanted Horse” in partnership with the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) in an effort to find homes for American horses in need of homes.
One of the arguments that opponents have raised against the AHSPA is the fact that banning the slaughter of horses in this country has resulted in a glut of unwanted horses in the United States and that slaughter is therefore necessary. My feeling is that inhumane slaughter is never “necessary.”
“One of the horse slaughter industry’s main arguments is that there are no homes for these animals,” said Chris Heyde, deputy director of government and legal affairs for AWI. “The coming together of our national organizations sends a significant message that these horses are valued and wanted.”
“Project Wanted Horse” will ensure that horses rescued by equine protection organizations, from the slaughter pipeline, or from an abusive situation are placed on farms operated by NBFA’s 94,000 members across the country. AWI will oversee the placement of horses with NBFA members.
Each placed animal will be accompanied by a legally binding contract, ensuring quality lifetime care and that they will not be resold only to end up on the path to slaughter.
Recently, HBO sports reporter Bryant Gumble ran a segment on his show, “Real Sports with Bryant Gumble,” regarding horse slaughtering. The segment was seen by Dr. John Boyd, NBFA founder and president.
“I had no choice but to act,” Dr. Boyd said after watching the piece. “Horse slaughter, in all circumstances, is a violent, brutal process. Horses play an important role in our members’ lives, not just because of their role on the farm, but because they are often part of our families.
“By joining with the AWI, we hope to end the transportation and brutal killing of these animals for human consumption.”
As I travel to and from work each week day, I pass pastures with horses grazing. I often wonder about a lot of things, but one thing I don’t wonder about is the welfare of these animals.
Although a couple of them were stolen a couple of years ago, they were recaptured and the horse thieves taken into custody.
There is no doubt in my mind that the culprits were going to transport these beautiful horses across the border to be sold for slaughter. This is a big business and profitable for those scumbags who manage to steal the horses, transport ‘em, sell ‘em and get away with it.
Thanks to Senator Landrieu for taking a stand against the transportation of horses for the purpose of slaughter.
I urge everyone to call their Senator in Congress and urge them to support Senate Bill 311.
I further urge you to call your Representatives in Washington and urge them to support House Bill 503.
Finally, thanks to the NBFA for joining the AWI in an effort to find homes for all horses in need of one. This effort will help reduce the opposition to the transportation of horses for the purpose of slaughter.
On behalf of animal lovers everywhere, I thank you.
Larry Liddell is a contributor to The Clarksdale Press Register.
except spiders and snakes. And, since Barbaro, I have been very interested in the ethical treatment of horses, although I am not a PETA person per se. I am not one to go overboard, but I do believe horses should be treated with respect and dignity.
Lawmakers right to protect horses
By Larry Liddell
Sunday, June 22, 2008 2:34 PM CDT
As most of you know, I love all animals,
The subject of horse slaughter gets my blood boiling quicker than anything I can think of at the moment.
While horse slaughter no longer occurs in the United States, in 2007, more than 100,000 American horses were exported to Canada and Mexico, where they were killed, processed and exported for human consumption in Europe and Asia.
Each year, thousands of horses are purchased at auction by killer-buyers, stolen from farms and acquired illegally.
Across the border, they are often slaughtered using barbaric practices such as shooting and stabbing. Some have even been beaten to death. I first met Mary Landrieu in 1971 when I joined the staff of the New Orleans Saints.
Her father was the mayor of New Orleans, Moon Landrieu, and she was (I think) 15 years old at the time. I didn’t hear of her again until she ran for the U.S.
Senate and have kept up with her ever since. She is a Democrat, so we don’t often agree on politics.
However, she and I are on the same side when it comes to slaughtering horses.
Sen. Landrieu (D-La.) is sponsoring the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (S. 311/H.R. 503), currently pending in both chambers of Congress.
This very important legislation would outlaw the transportation of horses either domestically or internationally for slaughter. The bill is sponsored in the House by Rep. John Ensign, a Republican from Nevada, making it a bipartisan piece of legislation.
Interestingly, current Presidential contenders John McCain, R-AZ, and Barack Obama, D-IL, have joined other 36 other senators as well as 204 Representatives in co-sponsoring the bill in their respective chambers.
Now comes word that the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) is launching “Project Wanted Horse” in partnership with the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) in an effort to find homes for American horses in need of homes.
One of the arguments that opponents have raised against the AHSPA is the fact that banning the slaughter of horses in this country has resulted in a glut of unwanted horses in the United States and that slaughter is therefore necessary. My feeling is that inhumane slaughter is never “necessary.”
“One of the horse slaughter industry’s main arguments is that there are no homes for these animals,” said Chris Heyde, deputy director of government and legal affairs for AWI. “The coming together of our national organizations sends a significant message that these horses are valued and wanted.”
“Project Wanted Horse” will ensure that horses rescued by equine protection organizations, from the slaughter pipeline, or from an abusive situation are placed on farms operated by NBFA’s 94,000 members across the country. AWI will oversee the placement of horses with NBFA members.
Each placed animal will be accompanied by a legally binding contract, ensuring quality lifetime care and that they will not be resold only to end up on the path to slaughter.
Recently, HBO sports reporter Bryant Gumble ran a segment on his show, “Real Sports with Bryant Gumble,” regarding horse slaughtering. The segment was seen by Dr. John Boyd, NBFA founder and president.
“I had no choice but to act,” Dr. Boyd said after watching the piece. “Horse slaughter, in all circumstances, is a violent, brutal process. Horses play an important role in our members’ lives, not just because of their role on the farm, but because they are often part of our families.
“By joining with the AWI, we hope to end the transportation and brutal killing of these animals for human consumption.”
As I travel to and from work each week day, I pass pastures with horses grazing. I often wonder about a lot of things, but one thing I don’t wonder about is the welfare of these animals.
Although a couple of them were stolen a couple of years ago, they were recaptured and the horse thieves taken into custody.
There is no doubt in my mind that the culprits were going to transport these beautiful horses across the border to be sold for slaughter. This is a big business and profitable for those scumbags who manage to steal the horses, transport ‘em, sell ‘em and get away with it.
Thanks to Senator Landrieu for taking a stand against the transportation of horses for the purpose of slaughter.
I urge everyone to call their Senator in Congress and urge them to support Senate Bill 311.
I further urge you to call your Representatives in Washington and urge them to support House Bill 503.
Finally, thanks to the NBFA for joining the AWI in an effort to find homes for all horses in need of one. This effort will help reduce the opposition to the transportation of horses for the purpose of slaughter.
On behalf of animal lovers everywhere, I thank you.
Larry Liddell is a contributor to The Clarksdale Press Register.
except spiders and snakes. And, since Barbaro, I have been very interested in the ethical treatment of horses, although I am not a PETA person per se. I am not one to go overboard, but I do believe horses should be treated with respect and dignity.