FYI: Stop the Horse Slaughter Article

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I usually don't post much, but came upon this link that was posted on another list I am on. Its regarding the slaughter of horses for meat consumption in Canada and the US.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/020215/180/142me.html

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), February 15, 2002

Answers

Literally thousands of pieces of legislation are submitted each year. The vast majority don't go anywhere. It lets Congressmen say, "See, I tried doing something" when, in actuality, they know their proposed legislation will be dead on arrival.

Besides, what is the difference between a horse, cow, sheep, goat, poultry, rabbits, ducks, geese, pigeons, seafood, fish, frogs, snails and probably a dozen other animals raised or harvested for human consumption?

Just what do these people think will happen to horses if they are not sold eventually for slaughter? Do they really expect them to go to an old age farm for horses? Just who do they expect to pay for their upkeep?

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), February 16, 2002.


Ken, you're right, we'll never stop horse slaughter as long as there is a demand, somewhere, for the meat. I think most people are striving for better regulation of the process and more humane treatment of the animals, rather than trying to stop the business altogether. And yes, there are people doing the same on behalf of cows, pigs, chickens, and other "food animals". Creating awareness is the first step in any campaign for change. I am steeped in animal welfare issues & campaigns, and have been for over a decade, and yet even I did not know about the horsemeat issue until about a year ago. Since Lio's rescue, I've heard from dozens and dozens of people who had NO IDEA that people ate horses; much less that the animals endured hell on earth at the auctions. Same with Premarin...who in their right mind would ever guess that the wonder drug comes from horse piss?? How many thousands of women would stop taking it immediately if they knew? So, we educate. We speak out. We become the squeaky wheel, knowing it will likely be an uphill battle all the way, and that we might not even live long enough to see changes. We work to create change, simply because it is the right thing to do.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), February 16, 2002.

Ken is right. I LOVE horses, but I can see the big picture. In the real world people eat horse, dog, cat meat and a number of other animals we would not care to think about. Some countrys frown on our consumption of chicken, beef and pork. I see nothing wrong with it. We can go to the auctions and save as many as we can afford to feed. But we don't have the right to force our eating habits on anyone, be it an American or someone in another country. Just my opinion.

-- cowgirlone in OK (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), February 16, 2002.

Shannon, we must have posted at the same time. I agree with you too, A more humane way of treating the animals would be nice. I wish there were more people like you in the world, that can actually go out and save a slaughter horse! Maybe you DO run the only old age farm for horses in the country. LOL Thanks for all you do!

-- cowgirlone in OK (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), February 16, 2002.

This is such a controversial issue--I adore horses, period. However, there are always going to be people that don't care for them properly, the yahoo that won't spend the money to feed, deworm, properly care for his/her stock is not going to pay for a Vet when the stock is ill-rather than die a lingering death of dehydration, COPD, starvation, etc.. I feel the horse should be shipped HUMANELY to slaughter. NYS has implemented many laws to help with this issue and they are enforced- you cannot ship a mare if she's close to foaling, no double decker trailers, no "three legged" horses (if the horse can't stand on all four legs it cannot be shipped, and no horses that are obviously ill. Our local auction, which has a kill pen, has a Vet in attendance at every auction-this practice should be standard throughout the country.

Personally, I'd like to save them all but that's not going to happen...if horses were to be labeled companion animals it would open a huge can of worms, horses are not a cheap animal to keep, and without an alternative what would happen to all of the unwanted (not properly cared for) equines? A friend just had an 36 year old mare put down, the Vet bill was $200 and another $150 for the rendering company to come pick her up. A person that won't pay for proper care is certainly not going to pay $350 to put down a horse- so there should be an alternative to the horse suffering an agonizing slow death. I, personally, have never sent a horse to slaughter and I never will but there has to be a viable alternative.

Stacy in NY

-- Stacy (KincoraFarm@aol.com), February 16, 2002.



My goodness. Horses are animals. We are human. We are physically programmed to be OMNIVORES, which means we are genetically fitted to eat a diet with includes meat! In my home country, we do not eat specific animals. But in other countries, the meats I turn up my nose at, are enjoyed on the dinner plate. Who am I to tell them their choices of meat are immoral? If I have a right to dictate the diets of others, then I can expect my own love of good chicken, pork, fish and beef to be altered by THEIR prejudiced opinions.

For goodness sakes. America seems to be on a slippery slope towards politically correct veganism. Walt Disney seems to have brainwashed all the little girls and boys quite effectively. It isnt just Bambi that is personally identified with any more, it's every farm animal, too!

Dont get me wrong. I love to care for animals. I treat them as humanely as possible. But they are ANIMALS, and we are HUMAN. To reiterate my original statement, humans are genetically programmed to eat MEAT.

-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), February 16, 2002.


It would be great if we could devise a way to manufacture imitation meat and turn all the aged and/or unwanted animals over to a retirement home. The reality is though that no matter how hard we try, we cannot imitate the real thing, witness margarine for butter, soymilk for real milk and toffu for God knows what. The slaughter of animals will continue and hopefully the process will improve to the point that the animal is not stressed out. After all, stress also affects the flavor of the meat.

As to the retirement home for animals, it would also be nice if more of us could create a donation scam to support our lifestyle in the name of saving animals. Reality check again, most of us have full time real jobs and can't afford the luxory of living off someone elses donations.

There is a middle road to this and I believe most folks that raise animals for their own use, and yes, even many of the socalled factory farms, care for their animals in a beneficial (to the animal and the owner) manner. After all, once again, a stressed animal will not provide an end product acceptable to the user.

-- Animal lover too. (nospam@aol.com), February 16, 2002.


Bravo, daffodyllady! Well said! Walt Disney, tv cartoons, etc. all present animals as furry, scaly, or feathered people. They walk, talk, and behave just like humans, and are given human emotions, morals, and reactions. Fun for kids, but it sure does give them an unrealistic view.

Of course, where else can children learn about the role of animals and what they're really like? Not too many cities, towns, suburbs, homeowner's associations allow any livestock. (One association in the next town over actually tried to force a little girl to give up a white pet rabbit, claiming it was a farm animal. Her father told them to go to hell, but then had to sell his house and move.)

-- Gail (Quadrupets@aol.com), February 16, 2002.


one man's pet is another man's protein. think about it. are there not enough restrctive laws already

-- paul (vonmantik@yahoo.com), February 16, 2002.

Actually I have had many animals who were human [ or close to it]. Maybe Iam turning into a animal? They learn to talk our language, How come we havent learned theres?

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), February 16, 2002.


I will put in my 2 cents. I have hores, I LOVE THEM. they will live here, GOD willing till they die. That said, there needs to be legislation for HUMANE transportation laws. As a person that is now raising rabbits for human and animal consumption, I can tell you that they are well cared for. END PRODUCT. They have a good life while on this earth. They are then euthanized and processed. DONE. Thie bill will affect anyone who raises animals for human consumption. It is only the beginning folks. The PETA people are extremists and you better be careful. Do you want some dictating to you what you may or may not do on your property. I am all for humane treatment of animals, but to give them human emmossions is very wrong. Just look at what was trying to be done with shipping of chicks. Think about it.

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), February 16, 2002.

I was almost insulted by "animal-lover-too"'s crack about the donation scam, but then I had to laugh...if only he could see the "lifestyle" it supports here! We're so broke we can't even pay attention. Trust me: ain't nothin'fancy roun' here.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), February 16, 2002.

If it's that bad then maybe you should put your money and effort into your children instead of a misguided cause. Make sure you ignore all the unwanted and mistreated children and elderly on your way to the auction next time.

-- just an opinion (nothanks@aol.com), February 16, 2002.

Shannon, I am sure you have a good heart. I have read you adoption of a draft horse and commend you. The issue is much more than animal rescue. There will never be enough good homes to accomadate the need. It is an unfortanate truth. The issue should be how to humanley euthanize, and yes, even supply food to people that need it. I personally feel that as long as we have humane beings, especially children dieing in this world, we better address these issues. You and I have probably been fortunate enough to never deal with the issue of starvation. Yes, it is very sad when an animal is left in inhumane conditions, it is even more sad when a child is in the same. I would sacrafice an animal, even a horse, to save a child. Are you a MOM?

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), February 16, 2002.

Hang on a minute what Shannon does should be applauded, not referred to with snide comments. I'm very sure that her children don't suffer because she rescues animals, to say so is just wrong. I do the same thing if anyone goes without it's me. The children first, the animals, the hubster, and me--that's my choice and it sure ain't anyone's business but my own.

JMHO,

Stacy in NY

-- Stacy (KincoraFarm@aol.com), February 17, 2002.



This is off point, but does point out the cost association with keeping animals until they die of old age or health complications. Near Holenwald, TN is The Elephant Sancuary. Before they will take in a female elephant (no males as they won't neuter nor desire to be a breeding farm) they require an endowment of $1,000,000. Their elephant barn alone cost over that amount to build.

If I remember the figure correctly, it costs an average of $600 a year to keep a pet dog when purchased food and routine vet service is provided.

I have been told horsemeat is sold in ethnic butcher shops in the northeast.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), February 17, 2002.


Some people just lurk out there, waiting for an opportunity to be hateful, don't they? In fact, I do have kids, and they want for nothing. And while I don't have to justify my focus on helping animals, I will say that we also do a lot of things to help people, including visits to nursing homes and schools, and welcoming juvenile delinquents to the farm so that they can work with the animals. We also welcome mentally disabled folks for the same thing. (And no, the work they do is not a big help to me. It helps THEM.) And further, when desperate people call us to place their beloved pet who has run out of options, you better believe that taking that pet is a big help to the OWNER.

They say that when you "assume", it makes an ass out of "u" and "me". In this case, I think it's really just "U".

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), February 17, 2002.


Shannon, I hope that statement wasnt towards me. I apologize if you took it the wrong way. Stopping horse slaughter is only the first step with the animal activists aka extremist. If this is banned what will be next? Where is the line drawn? I personally would rather see an abused horse HUMANLEY slaughtered then living a life a suffering. And all better if that meat can feed someone that is starving. I will say it again. The issue should be with humane transportation, etc.

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), February 17, 2002.

No, Tracy, I was speaking to Animal-Lover-Too and Just-An-Opinion. Interesting that this person won't even sign his (her?) real name to his remarks. That in itself says quite a bit.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), February 17, 2002.

Oh, for Pete's sake, this would not be an issue if folks would do two things, and this applies to animals as well as humans, "Don't breed what you can't feed, clothe, or care for."

And yes, we are physically able to bear children at age 11, does this means all 11 year old girls should be allowed to have children at that age? Just because we are "able" to do something does not make it an ethically responsible thing to do!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), February 17, 2002.


It is a sad statement on a society that allows cruelty and want of ANY species.

It is the courage and committment of those who chose to take up the cause to help those who society discards...that is the elderly, the children, and yes, the animals.

We humans brought these animals into our society thousands of years ago...we CREATED..companion animals..which in what is considered civilized society are currently inclusive of dogs, cats, and horses.

Now when we start practicing specisism..where does it stop?...it takes us right back to the concepts that became the concentration camps, the gas chambers, the human experimentation...by what those who committed these attrocities..they were the PERFECT RACE.

If you think that caring and devoting your life to saving animals is a sham to make money... Then you must also think that retirement homes are too. Or how about orphanages?

Yes there will be those who do exploit...but there are usually many more who are truly committed to making our world a better place for all.

-- BC (katnip364@aol.com), February 19, 2002.


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