2007 Year End Summary for Slaughter Statistics

In summary, 2007 seemed to bring an overall decrease in the number of U.S. horses which were destined for slaughter.  Due to the closure of the Texas facilities early in the year, domestic numbers dropped, with only Cavel in Illinois remaining open.  Legislation in Illinois to stop horse slaughter within the state brought a cycle of  on and off again production while the appeals courts ruled one way, then another, on the legalities.  The U.S. closures saw an increase of the export of horses to Mexico for slaughter up 4 times over the 2006 figures.  Canada is somewhat farther behind in the accounting, since the USDA claims not to hold those figures, as it does for Mexico.  As soon as the Canadian end of year figures are received, the totals will be finalized.  At this point, it appears that the exports to Canada have approximately doubled from 2006 to 2007.  Detailed breakdowns on the weekly figures are available on the Slaughter Statistics page.

2007 News items can be found in the Archives

(there is also a hold over on this page if the item has significant  and recent relevance to pending actions for 2008)

McCullough Peaks Horse Herd in Danger

The Bureau of Land Management has scheduled another removal of wild horses from Montana.  Information from The Cloud Foundation and the action that you can take to prevent the destruction of our native herds.

Does anyone recall that we have a federal bill H.R. 249 which has been allowed to be swept under the rug after early passage in the House in April of 2007 ?  Was it passed with a wink and a nod that this action would placate the restless natives until it drifted into obscurity, becoming  null and void with the end of 2008?

This bill would prevent the slaughter of our wild horses.

6/19/08:  It is very interesting that the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, spearheaded by Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL) and Ed Whitfield (KY) finds the time to enter into a completely new side trip in pursuit of "Breeding, Drugs, and Breakdowns: The State of Thoroughbred Horseracing and the Welfare of the Thoroughbred Racehorse,"  while pending legislation for the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act continues to go nowhere.  Perhaps if the energy expended here were redirected in a more efficient direction we might get these laws passed during this session of Congress.   Perhaps, while well intentioned, this state of horse racing  is better left to those who are acquainted with the topic.  It should not be overlooked that the industry continues to go forward in making conditions safer for the Thoroughbred race horse (for addition information: Lighthouse), a fact that seems to be conveniently overlooked by both sides of the fence.  It is a shame and a travesty that our Congress cannot keep on course for bills which are allowed to be swept under the rug while they pursue new ways to occupy the short time remaining.

6/16/08

The U.S. Supreme Court denies Cavel's challenge of the Illinois law prohibiting horse slaughter.

The Day No Horses Went to Slaughter - article details the incredible save of 163 horses from the Sugarcreek Auction on Memorial Day, 2008.

 In the aftermath of HBO Real Sports' segment...

While the segment must be commended in familiarizing the viewer with the horrors of horse slaughter, as expected, it was another weapon in the arsenal to sensationalize the ongoing love/hate relationship with horse racing in this country.  Perhaps it might have been helpful to offer up the information that the majority of U.S. horses that go to slaughter do not originate from the tracks.  Irresponsible owners and trainers are certainly not given a pass on this, as it is very real and many Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds are discarded by people who have no priority other than that dictated by the dollar.  Certainly, the majority of circumstances at the tracks are not dictated by the price of flesh on the hoof and it is both a disservice to the viewer and to the industry in general to paint it with such a single colored stroke.

When "Old Buck" from John Doe's ranch makes the journey to the kill pen headlines are not made.  The reality is that there are more "Old Bucks" out there every day which are loaded onto trailers for the final journey to the slaughter house.  No one mourns their loss.  No one notices.  Because they are not a recognizable name, are they any less important?  Is John Doe any less guilty than the Thoroughbred trainer or owner that sends that horse to the same fate?  If you can't answer "no" to those questions, then perhaps your agenda has become unfocused.

The meat industry continues to flood the press with articles attempting to insinuate and instill in the voting public the idea that the return of horse slaughter in the U.S. is the only solution.  Why send their "on the hoof" profits to other shores when they can cash in on the cruelty here?  The following article, although another spin sent out by the underpinnings of the meat industry, demonstrates the echoing hue and cry that the slaughter of horses is a good thing.  Rather than focusing on horse racing, this one takes it down to the roots of our cowboy romance.  Horses abandoned in West as feed prices rise, by Laura Zuckerman, from Yahoo News.

I believe that HBO left out a very important aspect of the topic.  It may have been more helpful to give the viewer all of the information but, then again, that probably doesn't offer the higher ratings and would place the focus on the topic rather than on the sport.  Who profits here?  HBO Real Sports, yes.  Horses, remains to be seen.

One last question:  Thoroughbred, Paint, Quarter Horse, Mustang, Draft Horse, Mixed Breed - Are any less important?  The clock of the 110th Congress is ticking.

Senators and Representatives are elected to office by the voters.  You are the voter.  The next time that you make contact to ask for forward movement and passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503, S. 311, AND H.R. 249), remember that every vote counts.  Responsibility must be accounted for.  No action on the part of your legislator = no vote when it is time for re-election.  The CONTACT LAWMAKERS box is at the top of this page.

HBO Real Sports - Monday, May 12 10:00 p.m. EST/PST (check listings for time in your area): Hidden Horses

Texas Attorney General rules that horse meat may not be shipped through the state en route to foreign destinations

This does not mean that horses may not be shipped through Texas on the way to Mexican slaughterhouses.  It means that horsemeat destined for human consumption may not transported through the state, thus cannot be shipped out of  Texas, as has been previously done by the Mexican plants as a cost saving measure.

Representative Dan Boren (D - OK) expresses his personal preference for horse slaughter, the killing of polar bears, and just about any other live creature that you would care to aim a gun or captive bolt at.  Citing the usual diatribe with the trite terminology of "harvesting, activist groups" ad nauseum, he is doing his job as mouthpiece for the frightened cattle industry constituents and campaigning for their continued support.  I'll bet that there are other citizens in Oklahoma who do not share his beliefs.

Conrad Burns, long time proponent of horse slaughter, assumes position with lobbying firm Gage LLC to represent AQHA.  Joining the former Senator is former staffer Ryan Thomas.  Burns is well remembered for his efforts on behalf of continuing the slaughter of wild horses and subverting the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act by tactics such as secret holds.  He lost his Senate seat in January 2007, after going down in defeat.  Former Senate members are not allowed to lobby for one year following leaving office.  He became eligible to lobby in February 2008.

Sign on to become a citizen co-sponsor for the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. 

In Michigan, Dr. Jack Kevorkian says that he will run for Congress as an independent candidate.  His opponant, from the Republican party would be Joseph Knollenberg who voted NOE to H.R. 503 in 2006 and is pro-slaughter.  I wonder what Kevorkian's stand would be???

Remember this name:  Representative Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonica, IL

Citing the same absurd reasoning as set forth by the slaughter advocates (blah, blah, blah, ad nauseum), Rep. Sacia attempts to reintroduce horse slaughter in the state of Illinois and is soundly defeated in the House committee.  He plans on "trying again next year."

And while we are on the subject, this is for you, all of the devoted Pro Slaughter Advocates who enjoy reading the information on this site, and like nothing better than to share your "insights":  A graphic demonstration of what you profess to be humane, in an Investigation at Natural Valley Horse Slaughter Plant.

From WJZ, Baltimore

•  Horse Lovers Want Congress to Stop Slaughter

• Horse Lovers Ask Congress to Stop Horse Slaughter (article)

• Actor Paul Sorvino speaks from Capitol Hill 

• WJZ Investigates the Slaughtering of Horses (article with video and important links)

• Thousands of Horses Slaughtered for their Meat 

Americans Against Horse Slaughter convene in Washington D.C. on March 4 and 5 and lobby to put an end to horse slaughter, and transport for slaughter, within the U.S.   Meeting with government representatives, the goal is to bring the federal laws to the floor of Congress before the end of this session.

Update 2/27/08 Bison Advocate Closes Trap; Forcibly Removed & Arrested

It is interesting to note that although the government's official reason for removal and slaughter of Bison is the fear of brucellosis being spread to cattle, there has been no testing for brucellosis conducted on the slaughtered animals.

2/25/08  Citizen Takes Action to Shut Down Bison Trap

It's a familiar story.  When no one listens, other options sometimes become necessary.  After miles of frustration against a deaf government, man erects a platform and takes up residence attached to the Horse Butte bison trap.  Do you recall H.R. 249 to protect our wild horses?  Passed in the House in 2007 it has been conveniently swept under the rug and has yet to see the light of day on the floor of the Senate.  Is this becoming all too familiar?

2/22/08

A brief Amicus Curiae (.pdf file) has been filed by the Livestock Marketing Association in support of Cavel International.  The brief challenges the constitutionality of the Illinois legislation and is an effort to be heard by the Supreme Court.

Illinois' Bill to Ban Double Decker Transport of Horses Moves to the Floor.

The Humane Scorecard

Let's take a look at the Presidential hopefuls and their actions before the Primary year when things weren't so geared toward getting your vote.  When under a little less scrutiny in the public eye, The Humane Scorecard (. pdf file will open in new window) gives the tally for each member of the 109th Congress and their respective scoring in animal welfare issues.  Of the remaining candidates, both Democrat and Republican, the totals were as follow (in alphabetical order) if they were a member of the House or Senate during that session of Congress:

Don't think for a minute that they have given up in South Dakota.  Horse-slaughter bill outcry keeps it alive from the Rapid City Journal outlines the possibilities of a resurrections of the bill to encourage the construction of a horse slaughter facility within the state.

Senate Bill No. 170 shot down in South Dakota

The bill died in committee following the barrage of phone calls, faxes, and emails.  Although this does not prevent a similar situation rearing its ugly head, you did good!  Now go to Washington and demand action on H.R. 503, S. 311, and H.R. 249!

IMPORTANT ACTION - South Dakota

Senate Bill No. 170 introduced in the South Dakota Legislature would authorize $1 million loan for the construction of "equine processing facility" within the state of South Dakota and is scheduled for hearing in the South Dakota Senate Agriculture Committee at 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 29, 2008.  The bill was introduced by:

SD Senators - Kloucek, Garnos, Gary Hanson, Koetzle, Maher, Sutton

SD Representatives - DeVries, Elliott, Howie, Lucas, Betty Olson, Van Norman

It is important to note that South Dakota has been extremely pro slaughter. The possibilities for parent companies Velda - Zele, Belgium (Cavel-IL), Chevideco - Rekkem, Belgium (Dallas Crown - TX), Frontier Meats  - Fort Worth, TX (Beltex), as well as outside interests, constructing facilities in a state that would not be problematic with anti-slaughter legislation is very high and financially advantageous.

What can you do?  Animal Welfare Institute eAlert provides specific actions and contact information.  Until the federal legislation is passed, there is nothing preventing this action in the state of South Dakota and it would not be expected that countering legislation could be attained in the state.

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer

That's an interesting concept, and one with some merit, but not really the subject of this diatribe.  However, a good treatise on the concept can be found on AskMen.com and is worth the read.  Now, moving on...

In the days leading up to the apex of a decision in the 110th Congress on whether we will or will not end horse slaughter in the U.S., it seems as though the public information currently being disseminated is more poignant than ever.  Both sides are running short on patience and getting more desperate in their attempts to inform and promote their stand on the issue.  Just as we may preach to our own choir regarding the inhumanity of horse slaughter, so does the meat industry take the opposing view.  They take this very seriously, as it is just one determiner of their financial viability.  Money is the bottom line and not their concern about the humane treatment of any animal headed for slaughter.  If humane treatment were their motive, they would all jump the fence to this side.  Logical and simple.

When I read an article that quotes a poultry industry official accusing anti slaughter groups of "publicizing sensational and frequently fabricated and manipulated images," of the inhumane slaughter of animals, it boggles the mind.  Unfortunately, it is not necessary to manipulate any images or fabricate any stories regarding the practices.  The treatment of horse bound for slaughter is very much real.  Factory farming is very much real.  Dr. Simon Shane reports from WATT Poultry USA in The Shane Report: The law of unintended consequences applied to horse slaughter.  Closer to the surface than in most of these articles, Dr. Shane reveals that it is really all about money.

Susan Wagner, of Equine Advocates, was a recent guest on The Martha Stewart Show.  She spoke eloquently and knowledgeably about the issue of horse slaughter in the U.S. and the importance of passage of the federal bills to end the slaughter and transport for slaughter.  A special thank you to Susan and to Martha Stewart for providing the accessibility to many in the viewing audience who may not have been aware.

From YouTube, Equine Advocates, the important segment from The Martha Stewart Show which aired 1/16/08*:

*To run this file on your computer, you must "allow" content to run by clicking in your browser bar.  If preferred, the YouTube video may also be accessed on the YouTube site. 

Mark January 22, 2008 on your calendar - Call in day for horses

Tuesday, January 22, 2008 has been designated as the next National Call-In Day for horses.  Let your voice be heard in support of ending slaughter in the U.S.  Use the Contact Lawmakers box above to find the direct number for your representatives, or call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your (1) Representative and (2) Senators.  Ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 503 or S. 311 if they haven't already.  Ask them to prioritize the passage of the bills.

Elections drawing closer every day - the anti slaughter slant

Considering your choice of candidate for the Presidential election should be a well thought out and informed decision.  While it should not be based soley on a candidate's views of legislation to prevent the slaughter of horses and other humane issues, it pays to be clear on the stand of each contender.  Animals & Politics provides such information.  Upon much review of records accumulated on this topic, the front runners for each party would be: Democrats - Hillary Rodham Clinton, Republicans - John McCain (both were also 2006 co-sponsors when the bill was S.R. 1915).  It is recalled that while both were front runners in co-sponsorship of the anti-slaughter bills, Barack Obama took longer to commit.  Not signing on at all to the previous bill while in the 109th Congress, he initially refused to do so with the present legislation when directly asked for support.  This, and Obama's support of Judge Frederick Kapala, who kept slaughter alive in Illinois, seem just a couple of reasons to deny him the nod.

From 6/1/07 - found on Legislation-section, Illinois:

1/9/08

Veterinarians for Equine Welfare issues white paper report: Horse Slaughter - Its Ethical Impact and Subsequent Response of the Veterinary Profession in response to misinformation distributed as a blanket statement purported to represent all veterinary professionals.

Huckabee Likes Horsemeat -- "tastes like chicken"

From the Wall Street Journal 12/21/07:  Mike Huckabee, campaigning in Iowa, speaks to reporters from his bus.

Freedom of  Information Act - As a citizen of the U.S. it is your right to obtain information, per written request, from federal agencies.  Principal FOIA Contacts at Federal Agencies.  One such agency is the Department of Agriculture:

I wonder if, perhaps, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service would be the one to contact if you were seeking this information or reason why it was not available?  If so, this agency officer may be contacted by mail, facsimile, e-mail, or web request form.:

12/12/07  Cavel back in the news

In a little piece tucked here and there on the internet, Cavel attorney J. Philip Calabrese has indicated that Cavel will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Illinois law closing the slaughterhouse.  Cavel has until 1/18/08 to file the petition.

Confused about double decker trailers transporting horses, even though you thought it was illegal?

JAVMA News, in their December 15, 2007 article (yes, they date them ahead if you read before that date and are wondering) offers an overview on the current legislative efforts attempting to close the loopholes in the intended law prohibiting the practice.  Follow the instructions at the bottom of the article to submit comments to USDA before January 7, 2008 regarding the rule.

If the rising numbers of horses exported across borders from the U.S. for slaughter does not seem significant, the realities of the flagrant transport and humane violations should.  Read Animals' Angels USA Investigation into the export of American horses to Mexico - External Report (.pdf file), hosted by Texas Horse Talk.  Further studies conducted by Animals Angels can be found on their Horse Slaughter page.

11/14/07

S. 311 has been placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar, #488,  under General Orders.  What this means is that at some point in the near or far future, the bill may make it to the floor of the Senate, if that happens before the end of the 110th Congress.

11/11/07

A letter from Willie Nelson.  Join together on Capitol Hill, November 13 & 14 to demand a vote on H.R. 503 and S.311, The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.

11/7/07

Where are the federal bills for The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act?

• H.R. 503 - With 188 current cosponsors, H.R. 503 was referred on 3/2/07 to the House Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry, where it remains hidden today.

• S. 311 - On 4/25/07 the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation ordered the bill to be reported favorable, without amendment.  No further action has been forthcoming.

• H.R. 249 - The bill to restore the prohibition on commercial sale and slaughter of our wild horses and burros was passed in the House of Representatives on 4/26/07.  It was received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, where it remains hidden today.

As it currently appears, another year will pass without action on the bills.  While politicians continue to play the chess game with our federal legislation, horses are being transported over borders in ever increasing numbers.  The committees that hold both H.R. 503 and H.R. 249 are largely pro-slaughter.  Out of sight, out of mind, in this current administration.  Have you contacted your representatives (again?), have you demanded answers to why this inaction is allowed?

10/3/07

Do you need a quick review of the movement to end horse slaughter?  Racing and the Law, by Chris E. Wittstruck, Esq. provides an unbiased and accurate overview of major events and the current status of U.S. legislation.  Article from Harnesslink.com.