Virginia Voters Support The Stopping Of
Slaughtering Horses
For Human Consumption
Summary: This survey of likely
voters clearly indicates that the public sentiment in Virginia is to
stop the slaughtering of horses for human consumption. Currently in
Virginia there is a low awareness of horses in the United States
being sold and slaughtered for human consumption overseas (36% aware
to 64% unaware). Despite the low awareness, the electorate strongly
agrees with the points made by advocates of stopping the
slaughtering of horses for human consumption. Conversely, the
electorate disagrees with the points made by their opponents.
Key Findings: As stated in the summary, the
electorate concurs with the positions held by supporters of stopping
the slaughtering of horses for human consumption. Nearly
three-quarters (74%) of the likely voters agree with the statement
that “horses are an important part of Virginia’s history and
heritage, and we owe horses better treatment at the end of their
life than abusing them and slaughtering them for human consumption”.
This overwhelming agreement is evident across all key voter groups.
In particular, the intense agreement is shown among agriculture
households and horse owners. Two-thirds (67%) of the likely voters
agree with the statement “The conditions under which horses are
shipped on trucks and the way they are treated in slaughterhouses
are cruel and inhumane. We should stop this practice.” The support
of this statement significantly increases among agriculture
households (81% agree) and horse owners (76% agree). Clearly, the
voters, especially agriculture households and horse owners, think
horses deserve more respect and better treatment than slaughtering
them for human consumption.
|
|
Total |
Agriculture Households |
Horse Owners |
|
|
Agree |
Disagree |
Agree |
Disagree |
Agree |
Disagree |
|
“Horses are an important
part of
Virginia’s
history and heritage, and we owe horses better treatment at the
end of their life than abusing them and slaughtering them for
human consumption.” |
74% |
19% |
76% |
9% |
74% |
23% |
|
“The conditions under which
horses are shipped on trucks and the way they are treated in
slaughterhouses are cruel and inhumane. We should stop this
practice.” |
67% |
17% |
81% |
12% |
76% |
20% |
Unlike the points made by advocates of stopping the
slaughtering of horses for human consumption, Virginia voters disagree
with the positions taken by their opponents. Two-thirds (67%) of the
voters disagree with the statement that “selling horses for slaughter
is often the only way many people can afford to give horses a humane
way to end their lives”. The majority (55%) disagree with the
statement “Slaughtering practices are supervised and slaughtering
horses is no different than slaughtering any other type of animal. If
we stop the slaughter of horses then people will want to stop the
slaughter of pigs, chickens and cows.” The survey results demonstrate
that Virginia voters believe there are more affordable and humane ways
to end the lives of horses than slaughter and that there is a
difference between slaughtering horses and other animals such as pigs,
chickens and cows. In addition, they don’t believe stopping the
slaughtering of horses will cause a movement to end the slaughtering
of animals such as pigs, chickens and cows.
|
|
Agree |
Disagree |
|
“Selling horses for
slaughter is often the only way many people can afford to give
horses a humane way to end their lives.” |
23% |
67% |
|
“Slaughterhouse practices
are supervised and slaughtering horses is no different than
slaughtering any other type of animal. If we stop the slaughter
of horses then people will want to stop the slaughter of pigs,
chickens and cows.” |
39% |
55% |
Conclusion: The public
sentiment heavily weighs in favor of stopping the slaughtering of
horses for human consumption. Despite the current low awareness of the
issue, Virginia voters agree with the positions made by supporters of
stopping the slaughtering of horses for human consumption and disagree
with their opposition’s views. The public support increases and is
strongest among agriculture households and horse owners. The survey
results suggest that public support will intensify as the public
becomes more aware of the issue of slaughtering horses for human
consumption.
Survey conducted by McLaughlin &
Associates on behalf of the Animal Welfare Institute. This
survey or any of the information contained herein may not be used
without the express written permission of the Animal Welfare
Institute.
