On January 30, legislation to permanently prohibit horse slaughter in the United States, as well as the transportation of horses to foreign countries for slaughter, was reintroduced for Congressional consideration by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.
Currently, it is legal to export horses from the United States to be brutally butchered for their meat, which is then consumed overseas. Unscrupulous ‘kill buyers’ often buy innocent horses from auctions and pack them into small trailers with no food or water. If the horses survive the terrifying transport, they’re shot with bolt guns and their throats are slit at the slaughterhouse.
Additionally, horse meat is generally unsafe for human consumption because the animals are often dosed with various noxious chemical substances.
The Safeguard American Food Exports Act (SAFE), introduced by Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), would end this dreadful process.
“The SAFE Act is vital for the health of consumers and wellbeing of horses,” commented Schakowsky. “Horses are ingrained in our national story and deserve far better than being exported in inhumane conditions for slaughter. Many of the substances used to treat horses are banned by the FDA, making horse meat dangerous for human consumption. As a lifelong advocate for consumer protection and animal welfare, I welcome the focus on this legislation.”
Urging government officials to support and pass this bill, Lady Freethinker has garnered over 32,800 signatures to ban ruthless horse slaughtering. Thank you to those who have already signed this petition. If you haven’t, please take the time to help protect America’s horses.
