Although horses aren't being slaughtered for human consumption in the U.S., tens of thousands are transported each year to slaughterhouses in other countries. Horses are subjected to intense suffering and abuse during the transport, then are inhumanely slaughtered to provide meat for other countries.

In 2009, Rep. John Conyers of Michigan introduced HR 503, the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act. While that bill, which would have banned the purchase or sales of horses to be slaughtered for human consumption, languished in committee, thousands more horses died.

It's time to reintroduce the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act and put an end to this practice.

Photo credit: Chuck Coker