The Myth Some would still like you to believe that the conditions for transporting horses to slaughter in the US would be better than crossing our borders to Mexico or Canada. This evidence, once again, unmistakably proves otherwise. The photos we received at Animals’ Angels highlight how in recent history horses suffered intense pain, injury, and intolerable conditions -all for slaughter within our very own country. Others depict horses with their hooves and legs caught in the sides walls of the trailer,causing devastating injuries. Pools of blood could be seen on the floors of the trailers along with copious amounts of blood splatter all along the trailer side walls. In one particularly gruesome view, a horse appears to have had his hoof/foot severed after it became stuck in the side wall. In a subsequent photograph, the hoof could be seen, still lodged in the side wall. These pictures were taken by USDA inspectors over a three year period. It is important to stress that the evidence of mistreatment continued to pile up during this time -all while the transport companies continued to operate. The USDA did not shut them down. Instead, simple fines were imposed in some instances, but not all. Many offenders received nothing but a warning letter. And in those cases where fines were imposed, it sometimes took years to get a hearing and judgment. Most upsetting of all is the fact that the few offenders that received high fines such as Charles Carter ($234,000) or Leroy Baker ($173,000), are still allowed to operate without having ever paid for their egregious violations. Do not be mislead. The propaganda promoting horse slaughter in the U.S. wants people to believe that it is in the best interest of the animals to be transported and slaughtered here – that they will receive better treatment as a result. The overwhelming evidence we have received directly from the USDA in 2008 as well as in 2012 clearly demonstrates this “myth” is simply not true. Kill buyers and transport companies will not suddenly follow regulations they have routinely flouted in the past because of the change in destination for their cargo. And as is made clear by the USDA records, there appears to be no violation egregious enough to warrant or secure significant repercussions. What good does it do to impose fines of $150,000 or more, if these fines are never collected and offenders are allowed to continue to operate? Do not be tricked into thinking that re-opening slaughter plants in the US is for the “benefit” of the horses. It is strictly for the benefit of those who will make money from the suffering of these fine animals. In the U.S. we do not eat horses. We should not transport them or slaughter them for those countries that do. Please support the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act!
Posted on: Wed, 24 Jul 2013 07:10:36 +0000
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