House Passes Horse Slaughter Ban

(CBS/AP)  The House voted on Thursday to ban the slaughter of horses for meat, a practice that lawmakers thought they already had ended.

Instead of banning it outright, Congress last year yanked the salaries and expenses of federal inspectors. But the Bush administration simply started charging slaughter plants for inspections, and the slaughter has continued.

The House vote was 263-146 to outlaw the slaughter of horses for human consumption.

Opponents of the practice showed photographs of horses with bloodied and lacerated faces, the result of being crammed into trailers that would carry the animals to slaughterhouses.

"It is one of the most inhumane, brutal, shady practices going on in the U.S. today," said Rep. John Sweeney, R-N.Y., a sponsor of the ban.

Sweeney argued that the slaughter of horses is different from the slaughter of cattle and chickens because horses are American icons.

"They're as close to human as any animal you can get," said Rep. John Spratt, D-S.C.

Added Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn.: "The way a society treats its animals, particularly horses, speaks to the core values and morals of its citizens."

The administration contended a ban would do more harm than good for horses.

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[juliet9386]

Before you pass judgement on this piece of legislation, it is important to know that this was a grass roots effort AGAINST big business by us, people who love and care for horses.

Are you aware that these slaughterhouses pay about $5.00 in Federal Income Tax a year because they are owned outside the US. Are you aware that the entire process for these animals is the most inhumane possible? And that their throats are slit while they are still alive.

Do you own a dog? Would you sell your dog by the pounnd once he has lost his usefulness? Other countries eat dogs - but we do not, nor do we eat horsemeat.

We have been trying for years to get this passed, your response is horrific.

[cowgirltn]

I cant help but make a comment about all of this.......I breed and raise horses, nobody loves and cares for them as much as I do. But you have to be realistic here. Horses do get lame, fondered, sick, old, etc. and every now and then you do get a horse that you cant do anything with usually from a human that has mistreated it. This type of horse can be extremely dangerous. Is this horse worth your life? I have had several friends who have been seriously injured and even killed by "crazy" horses. The best thing to do for all is to have the horse put down. A sick or injured horse can not be doctored all the time sometimes they are beyond that and need to be put down. Do you realize how expensive it is to euthanize a horse and have it buried? No its not like owning a dog. A horse is completely different from a dog. Since this ban I have seen horses barely standing and starving where they can no longer eat, they are in so much pain they groan constantly, they can barely walk or move from joint diseases or lameness. This is pitiful! But you tell me slaughtering them and putting them out of their misery is inhuman??? I agree the transportation can use some guidelines but to completely shut this system down is not the answer. The horses are paying the consquenses for the afterfact of our legislaters decisions.

[getcentered]

In the scale of important things the House could be working on, I put this "horse bill" at the bottom. On the other hand, WOW, it is pretty amazing to see consensus in the GOP dominated agenda of the house. I do have some questions though, like:
How many ear-marks were attached to the bill?
What corporate connections influenced the passing of such "well thought out" and "compassionate" piece of legislation?
Is there now some "horse slaughterhouse tax break" now available that will get every corporation to want horses?
Are cows next?
MAN!! There is so much disconnect between the house and the rest of us, that we get the "horse bill" when we need help with OUR bills. The horses will live, but how about the thousands of American soldiers and civilians of other countries that we've killed in the last few years. WHERE IS THIER BILL! In the endless spin cycle we've been thrown into in the last 6 years this story fits right in where the GOP might need to look a little better in the eyes of mothers and truly compassionate voters everywhere. Hmmmmm..........exploitive but clever.