This letter was written a month or so ago, and mailed to each of my senators. I received notes from both. One very non-committal, the other very pro-slaughter. Quite discouraging, but there is hope for passing this bill, yet. Thank goodness not all senators are as careless about these creatures as Texas' own are. Ah, careless may be the wrong word. Perhaps one or both gain from its continuation...speculation, of course, but an obvious conclusion, given the locations of two of the three slaughterhouses in operation. I read this morning that these Belgian owned companies are actually subsidized by US. I find that purely outrageous. You and I are PAYING them to do this to horses?!
Insanity.


Dear Senator,

My name is Anna and I am a resident of South Texas. I am writing to you to ask that you consider the realities of horse slaughter in the United States, and also ask that you bring this new bill, S1915 to the floor quickly and pass it into law, as is. I understand the concerns about creating a burden on horseowners- the fact is, if a horse must be disposed of, there are more humane ways to go about it. Owners always have the obviously viable
option of finding new homes for unwanted horses, and euthanization continues to be an option.
Contrary to popular belief- and argument, not all of these horses are unwanted. Many are stolen or bought under false pretense, kill buyers deceiving a caring but overburdened owner who believes the horse is going to a good home. What else do we tell ourselves to make it an easier- yet still toxic- pill to swallow?
Horses trot a fine line between pet and livestock, and indeed, are a bit of both. They are, unlike other livestock, asked to trust human hands from the day they are foaled. This is a grave misuse of that trust. If you truly believe that this is a humane practice, I urge you to investigate yourself, rather than accepting anyone's word for it.
The facts speak for themselves.
1) Most horses taken to slaughter are not old and infirm. The majority are young and healthy.
2) The captive bolt often misses. Horses are frequently conscious when their throats are slit. Some simply drown in their own blood. If you can stomach it, I invite you to watch one of the slaughter videos available online.
3) The equipment used on horses was designed for cattle. Horses are not cattle, physically or behaviorally.
4) Then there are questions of what these horses may have been medicated with prior to heading for a human's dinner plate. The psychological effects on those working in these plants is questionable, too.
Senator, horses are a living reminder of this great country's beginnings, not to mention the stuff of many a child's daydreams and fondest wishes. They have done all that we've asked of them, and far, far more. This is how we honor and repay them? Erect a bronze statue or two of them and then send them to a foreign-owned corporation with no vested interest in America, other than to abuse one of its natural resources at little cost -and much gain- to themselves, pollute its land and water with their blood and the air with their screams, then ship their flesh- not to the starving or under-privileged, but to elite restaurants overseas that brag about serving American horseflesh? Do they also boast that they serve American beef, chicken or pork?
On behalf of horses who belong to less wealthy humans than do
Barbaro and other high profile equines, I implore you, stop this cruel practice. We are supposed to be a civilized nation. This is one preventable atrocity, which belies that phrase. Excusing it with the argument that there are no other viable options in place is flimsy, at best. Many Americans simply aren't aware. From those who are, I imagine you and every other Senator are getting letters and phone calls. And much like horses, we won't forget who decided to put an end to this. Or not. Slippery and ultimately empty are the pockets lined with blood, whosever they are.
Is our valiant steed any less valiant or noble, simply because we have replaced his biggest role in our lives with the automobile?
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Regards,
Anna