Dear Member of Congress:

After years of increasing public demand for an end to horse slaughter, you have an opportunity to end this cruel practice.  Veterinarian and Senator John Ensign (R-NV) and Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) have introduced S. 311 to prevent the slaughter of horses for human consumption abroad. An identical measure, H.R. 503, has been sponsored it the House by Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Representative Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Representative John Spratt (D-SC) and Representative Nick Rahall (D-WV).  We ask you to support this bill, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.

In August of 2006, a bipartisan House of Representatives voted overwhelming in favor (263-146) of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. This wide margin strongly reflects the will of the American people, despite last minute efforts by pro-horse slaughter organizations, who profit from this cruel industry, to derail the political process.

In April 2007, the Senate Commerce Committee sent S. 311 to the full Senate for consideration after a vote of 15-7.

Horses have always been a symbol of America’s free spirit. No other animal stirs such an emotional reaction. They have carried our leaders into battles, pulled our wagons into the untamed West, and thrilled us through sport. In fact, horses such as Secretariat, Man O’ War and Citation are considered among the top 100 athletes of the 20th century. The famous story of Seabiscuit, a once “unwanted horse” turned great champion, was recently considered for an Oscar.

Yet regardless of their fame and notoriety, no animal should be hauled across the country under the unhealthy and cruel conditions slaughterbound horses face. Following their faithful service to humankind, our horses should not be killed at one of the three foreign-owned slaughterhouses in the United States so diners abroad can feast on their flesh.

We strongly support the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act and have rejected arguments from those who claim ending horse slaughter will be bad for horses. Don’t be misled; ending horse slaughter will be nothing but good for horses, and we are confident that once you consider the facts, you will agree.

We urge you to follow the outstanding leadership of Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Senator John Ensign (R-NV) in the Senate and Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Representative Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Representative John Spratt (D-SC) and Representative Nick Rahall (D-WV) on this issue, and to support the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, H.R. 503 and S. 311. It’s not only about saving the lives of thousands of innocent horses; it’s about a better America.

On behalf of my friends, I thank you for your urgent consideration of the effort to end horse slaughter.  For more information about horse slaughter and how you can make a difference, please visit www.saplonline.org.

Sincerely,