House Appropriations Committee votes to cut funding for inspections of U.S. horse slaughter plants
WASHINGTON—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today praised Representative Jim Moran, D-Va., for spearheading a successful, bipartisan vote in the U.S. House Appropriations Committee to prevent the use of tax dollars to inspect U.S. horse slaughter plants once again for Fiscal Year 2012. Since 2005, Congress has included this funding prohibition to ensure that foreign-owned horse slaughter plants do not open on U.S. soil to the tune of $5 million tax dollars annually.
“Americans shouldn’t be forced to foot the bill for international gourmands who wish to slaughter our horses,” said Nancy Perry, senior vice president of ASPCA Government Relations. “We thank Representative Moran for his brilliant leadership on this common sense amendment to protect our horses from the well documented cruelties inherent in the horse slaughter industry. We’re also grateful to Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) who spoke eloquently about the importance of the amendment during debate, lending her strong support for the horses as she has for years.”
“Industrial slaughter of horses should not be condoned by the United States Government,” said Rep. Jim Moran. “We have to put an end once and for all to this practice. These animals are a proud symbol of the American West, treasured by all for their beauty and majesty. They deserve to be cared for, not killed for foreign consumption.”
Horse slaughter is inhumane and the methods used to kill horses rarely result in quick, painless deaths, as they often endure repeated stuns or blows and sometimes remain conscious during their slaughter and dismemberment. “Millions of ASPCA members will sleep better tonight knowing that the horses have won this important victory against horse slaughter,” added Perry.
The ASPCA has an extensive history of equine protection around the country and continues to assist domestic and wild horses through legislation, advocacy, targeted grants and enforcement of the carriage horse and cruelty laws in New York City. For information on the ASPCA and to join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade, please click here.
About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first humane organization established in the Americas and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animal welfare. One million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. The ASPCA, which is headquartered in New York City, offers a wide range of programs, including a mobile clinic outreach initiative, its own humane law enforcement team, and a groundbreaking veterinary forensics team and mobile animal CSI unit.
For more information, please visit www.aspca.org. To become a fan of the ASPCA on Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/aspca. To follow the ASPCA on Twitter, go to http://www.twitter.com/aspca.
“Wag’N” Donates pet masks
Carol Monaco, with Marketwise Insights, Inc., recently nominated Greater Brighton Fire to receive pet oxygen masks through a company called Wag’N. Brighton Fire was selected and Wag’N has donated pet O2 masks through a program called “O2 Fur Life” that provides the necessary equipment for pet rescue breathing. Greater Brighton Fire is one of only 14 fire departments in the State who have received pet O2 masks through this program. Five kits were donated through the program, which provides for one set of three masks for each of our five fire stations. Each kit contains three masks of different sizes for various size pets. The kits have been placed on the fire engines and crews have been trained in using the masks. Thank you to Carol and Wag’N for the generous donation.
