Horse slaughter, extreme parents and bull riders on HBO's 'Real Sports' May 19

KWebersMay 15th, 2009 - 19:36:35

“shipped by “killer buyers” to slaughterhouses abroad, which are frequently less regulated and less humane than former domestic slaughterhouses”

The above statement suggests that the inhumane killing of horses at a US slaughter plant is more humane than their killing at Canadian or Mexican plants. Cruel and brutal treatment is what horse slaughter is, wherever it occurs. USDA regulates transport to slaughter whether to our international borders or to a US slaughter plant. Their regulations enable significant and horrific injuries: broken legs, and soft tissue wounds are not only common during transport, but since horses can legally ship for up to 29 hours without food, rest, or inspection, suffering is great and injuries are not addressed.

US-based slaughter plants were thousands of miles apart, and long transports were common. If a US plant were to open, those long transports would again be common as there would not be plants in every state, the economics don’t support that. Whether US-based or in Canada or Mexico, transport is lengthy and life-threatening. Know the reality of horse slaughter: visit Vets for Equine Welfare, and see Fact Sheets, then USDA FOIA documents. Click on any of the records, they show violations of USDA’s own regulations. This industry is a mass-production disaster masquerading as humane euthanasia.

Protect horses from this inhumane end: support a federal ban on slaughter. Tell Congress to pass HR503 and S727 now.

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MJ WilsonMay 16th, 2009 - 04:00:26

Yes it does make it sound like it was more humane in the US when we who have fought this battle know the truth, see for yourself at kaufmanzoning.net see the FOIA documents showing the violations here in the states.

Call your congresspersons and senators asking that they co-sponsor H.R.503, S.727 the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, H.R.1018 R.O.A.M. Restoring Our American Mustangs, and H.R.305 the Horse Transportation Safety Act.

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disgustMay 27th, 2009 - 23:26:47

I am sick to my stomach with the story ive just seen on hbo sports on the inhumane treatment of these beautiful animals people involved in this from top to the smallest part should be hung by their feet and beaten to death in the street when will we as people draw the line on what is acceptable in a system set up to value a dollar more than an ounce of compasion

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BleedingHeartMay 30th, 2009 - 17:52:24

I watched only a couple of minutes of the show because I\'m extremely sensitive to these things. I\'ve always tried to keep informed so that I can convey the facts (instead of just weeping), but after 52 years of trying to be tough, I still can\'t watch or read too much about these things. I did just read about the woman doing her best to save horses that owners can no longer afford due to the economy on CNN's website. I will be sending a donation. Thank you for the congressional bills info. My question is, until these bills are passed (please God), is there an organization working on this? Like the ones that go to slaughterhouses and rescue the \'downed\' animals? Surely there must be a charity that frequents race tracks to buy/rescue the \'losers\' vs. the owners selling them to \'meat men\'? I would be willing to donate or adopt/sponsor some of these horses if such an organization exists. Wish I could take them in myself, but I know nothing about horse care and live in a suburb not zoned for large animals. Due to my over-sensitive nature, I am ignorant on some of most of the cruel issues. But I\'m not so naive to think that horse racing will ever be banned (Sport of Kings and all). So, given that it\'ll be around forever, what can a city-person like myself do? Please provide info & or links to sites that won\'t give me nightmares. I am also interested in the plight of America\'s wild horses (& Mustangs). Thanks. And keep fighting the good fight for those of us with great passion but weak stomachs.

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