October 31, 2005

By Grace Markarian

An estimated 90,000 American horses were slaughtered last year for overseas export.

Our first-ever Party Animals event took place during the month of September 2005. More than 100 Party Animals events were held in 33 states and the District of Columbia, raising more than $40,000 for the Humane Society Legislative Fund. More importantly, these events raised awareness about the cruel reality of how American horses are slaughtered and exported overseas for food and helped secure an outstanding victory for horses.

On October 26, Congress approved the final version of the Agriculture Appropriations bill maintaining the horse slaughter ban. Even though the enactment date for the slaughter ban was pushed back to March 10, 2006, this was a huge victory for horses because it will stop horse slaughter for most of 2006. Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is trying to buck Congress and implement a private fee-for-service horse slaughter inspection scheme. The USDA's shocking actions demonstrate we must work even harder to secure a permanent slaughter ban.

In the past, an estimated 90,000 horses were slaughtered every year in the United States every year and processed for human consumption abroad. Our thoroughbreds, show horses, mustangs, carriage horses, and family ponies were shipped in inhumane conditions and butchered, despite the special place these animals hold in American history.

"Americans clearly don't want these beloved companions ending up on someone's plate in Europe," notes Mike Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "We're glad that the issue is out in the open now, and that Congress is listening."

The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the lobbying arm of The Humane Society and the Fund for Animals, is working with Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and Robert Byrd (D-WV), champions in the fight for a permanent ban on horse slaughter. "Our efforts to protect America's magnificent horses are gaining momentum, and I am confident that we are close to seeing the end of the practice of slaughtering American horses for the purpose of human consumption," Senator Ensign told representatives from the Legislative Fund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 519 C Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002.