More than 100,000 horses are slaughtered every year overseas for horsemeat in Europe and Asia.
Overseas processing plants are not subject to regulation. Due to overcrowded transport conditions, many horses are injured even before reaching their final destination. Some are shipped for more than 24 hours at a time without food, water or rest and the methods used to kill these horses once they arrive at the plant can be exceptionally inhumane.
In Mexico, slaughterhouse workers use knives to stab horses into a state of paralysis and then slaughter them while still fully conscious.
Urge Congress to pass the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act and prohibit the transport of America's horses across state lines and international borders for slaughter.
Dear [Decision Maker],
As a concerned constituent, I am writing to urge you to cosponsor and support the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (H.R. 503/S. 727). H.R. 503/S. 727 would prohibit the possession, shipment, transport, purchase, sale, delivery, or receipt via interstate commerce of any horse intended for slaughter for human consumption.
Americans do not eat horse meat. However, every year, more than 100,000 American horses are cruelly slaughtered just over our borders to satisfy the markets for horsemeat in Europe and Asia.
Since the last horse slaughter plants in the U.S. were closed in 2007, American horses have been shipped to Canada and Mexico for slaughter. Overseas processing plants are not subject to U.S. oversight or regulation. Due to overcrowded transport conditions, many horses are injured even before reaching their final destination. Some are shipped for more than 24 hours at a time without food, water, or rest, and the methods used to kill these horses once they arrive at the plant can be exceptionally inhumane.
[Your comments will be inserted here.]
H.R. 503/S. 727 would put an end to this practice by prohibiting the transport of America's horses across state lines and international borders for slaughter. Therefore, I respectfully urge you to cosponsor and support the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
