American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act Reintroduced

For Immediate Release                                                 February 13, 2003

Washington, D.C.  -  U.S. Representative John Sweeney (R-NY), Chairman of the Congressional Horse Caucus, and U.S. Representative John Spratt (D-SC) today reintroduced the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act which will ban the trade in horsemeat and live horses for human consumption.  An identical version of this bill will soon be introduced in the United States Senate.

"Many horses are hauled to slaughter and killed under inhumane conditions. Some of the horses who are killed for this industry have been stolen or acquired under false pretenses (the families who owned the horses were told they were going to a good home) and other animals may be wild horses illegally sold for their meat. The American people want the cruelty to end and the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act will do that," said Representative Sweeney.

Supporters of the measure include Sir Paul McCartney and horse industry organizations including the NY Racing Association, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, and the Breeders' Cup.  Federal legislation and the attention it is receiving are helping to bring this industry out of the shadows it has enjoyed for far too long.

"This bill is necessary because of the cruel treatment and dubious practices employed by those engaged in horse slaughter.  I've witnessed first hand the suffering inflicted on horses at every stage of the process from unloading to death--it's appalling.  Anyone who truly cares about horses should be supporting this measure," said Chris Heyde of the Society for Animal Protective Legislation.

"Horses are a national treasure and perhaps more than any other animal, a symbol of the American pioneer spirit. I am pleased to be a sponsor of this bill," said Representative Spratt.

“We applaud Representatives Sweeney and Spratt for introducing the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.  This important bill will end this atrocious trade for good.  It is long overdue, and has our strong support, ” said Holly E. Hazard, Executive Director of the Doris Day Animal League.

The DDAL and SAPL, both based in Washington, D.C., are national organization lobbying on behalf of animal protection legislation on the local, state and federal levels.

For more information on the bill please contact: