I became involved and aware of American horse slaughter pipeline when I was introduced to a local horse rescue located in Linden NC. The rescue not only accepts horses that need to be rehomed, but goes to auctions to bid against kill buyers to try to save at least one horse. These funds come from donations. Once they rescue the horse from its possible demise, they try their best to rehabilitate the horse and find its forever home. If the horse isn't able to be rehomed, the horse then becomes a permanent resident. Their is definitely lots of life left in these horses even after they've been sent to auction. I've witness how resilient the animals can be even after humans have failed them.

American horses are being sold at auction to then be taken to Canada and Mexico to be killed under barbaric conditions. The USDA documented in the slaughter pipeline rampant cruelty violations and severe injuries to horses that include but not limited to broken bones protruding through their bodies, eyeballs hanging from threads of skin, and gaping wounds.

US horse meat is dangerous to humans because of the unregulated administration of numerous toxic substances to horses before slaughter. The USDA documented 92.3 percent of horses sent to slaughter are in good condition and are able to live out a productive life. Kill buyers outbid legitimate horse owners and rescues at auctions, robbing horses of ever having a second chance at life.

A bill was introduced to congress and was passed by the house in in September 2006 but was never passed by the senate. As written in the Horse Protection act, horses are not raised to be slaughtered. Horses and other equine are used primarily for pleasure and sport, not for human consumption. Individuals selling horses or other equine at auctions are seldom aware that animals may be bought with the purpose of being slaughtered for human consumption.

There are several ways to reduce the risk of homeless or at-risk horses. We can curb over breeding, educate owners about rehoming options and expand adoption work. Over 100,000 U.S. horses are sent to slaughter each year, and the vast majority could be rehomed. Please sign and share so we can save the American horse from kill buyers and slaughter. This bill is way past due.

Congress-we ask you to pass the H.R.961-Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2019. 
Sponsor:Rep. Schakowsky,Janice D.(D-L-9)

Introduced:02/04/2019

Committees: House- Energy and commerce;Agriculture 

Latest Action:House 03-01-2019 referred to sub committee on Livestock and foreign agriculture.