Reps. Burton, Schakowsky Introduce H.R. 2966, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011

WASHINGTON DC (September 19, 2011) — Today, Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Dan Burton (R-Ind.) along with a bipartisan group of 56 members of the House introduced H.R. 2966, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011. The legislation is supported by hundreds of national and state animal rights organizations, including the Humane Society, the Animal Welfare Institute, and the ASPCA.

"I am proud to join Representative Burton in supporting this bill to put a stop to the cruel practice of shipping horses abroad for slaughter," said Rep. Schakowsky. "As a strong supporter of animal rights and a horse lover, I recognize the need to protect animals that aren't able to protect themselves. Protecting animals ought to be a bipartisan issue, and this bill is a strong step in the right direction."

In 2007, domestic horse slaughter plants in the United States were closed after Congress pressured the industry to end the heinous practice. However, the issue of horse slaughter has not been fully resolved as an estimated 100,000 horses are now transported across our country's borders annually to be killed in either Canada or Mexico. Transporting horses abroad for this purpose is a long and grueling process, with horses frequently spending long periods of time confined in vehicles unable to safely carry them. Such trips often leave horses injured or worse. This legislation would ban the transport of horses for slaughter and assure those animals killed are euthanized in a humane way.

"We may have successfully stopped horse slaughter here at home, but that does not mean the fight is over.... said Rep. Schakowsky, "Horses transported across our borders for slaughter continue to be treated inhumanely. The Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011 will make sure that these majestic creatures are treated with the respect they deserve....

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CONTACT: Adjoa Adofo; 202.225.2111
adjoa.adofo@mail.house.gov