Stop Horse Slaughter in the U.S.!
After a five-year ban, President Obama has recently restored funding for USDA inspection of horse slaughter. This decision opens the doors for slaughterhouses to legally butcher horses for human consumption, including shipment to overseas markets.
As of November 30, 2011, pro-slaughter activists estimate that slaughterhouses could open within one to three months. Dave Duquette, president of pro-slaughter group United Horsemen, claims, "I have personally probably five to 10 investors that I could call right now if I had a plant ready to go."
Due to the recent economy, many private owners are in a position to sell or give away their horses. Horse Feathers Equine Rescue owner Cheri White Owl is concerned that if slaughterhouses open, owners will sell their horses there rather than seeking out an animal sanctuary.
Horses are beautiful animals that have trusted and worked alongside humans faithfully for centuries. USDA inspections enable the slaughter of these creatures. Please sign the petition to stop funding horse slaughter inspections.
We, the undersigned, are concerned with your decision to restore funding for horse slaughter inspections. While slaughterhouses in the U.S. currently don't butcher horses, inspections would give them the liberty to do so. Pro-slaughter activists estimate that horse slaughterhouses could open within one to three months now that USDA funding is allowed.
Neglect, abandonment and cruelty toward horses is an unfortunate reality in the U.S., largely due to the current economy and overpopulation. Even so, pet ownership is a lifetime commitment and selling an unwanted pet to a slaughterhouse is not an option. If slaughterhouses open, many owners will sell their horses there rather than seeking out an animal sanctuary.
Horses are beautiful animals that have served humans faithfully for centuries. Please don't enable slaughterhouses by funding USDA inspections. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
