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American Horse Slaughter
Prevention Act
Yesterday, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), along with
Representatives Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Nick Rahall (D-WV), John Spratt
(D-SC) and 58 co-sponsors reintroduced federal legislation to prohibit the
slaughter of horses for human consumption (H.R. 503). Senator Mary
Landrieu (D-LA) and 12 other Senators introduced similar legislation in
the Senate. “The Virgie S. Arden American Horse Slaughter Prevention,” Act
(S. 311) would prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption
H.R. 503 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and
the House Committee on Agriculture. S. 311 was referred to the Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
The bill would amend the Horse Protection Act (HPA), which was enacted in
1970 to prohibit the showing, transport or sale of horses that have been
subjected to any painful process to accentuate their gate. The Animal &
Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
enforces the HPA.
The bill would prohibit the shipping, transporting, or sale of horses for
slaughter for human consumption. Such activities would be a violation of
the HPA and subject any person who knowingly violates the Act to penalties
of up to $3,000 and/or one year in jail for the first offense and up to
$5,000 and/or two years in jail for a second offense. An offender may also
be subject to civil penalties of $2,000 for each violation.
The bill authorizes $5 million for enforcement.
Both bills are identical to legislation introduced last Congress. The
House version passed last year, while the Senate version was never
considered.
Wild Horse and Burro Slaughter Ban
Earlier this month, Congressman Nick Rahall (D-WV) and Congressman Ed
Whitfield (R-KY) introduced H.R. 249, which would restore the prohibition
on the commercial sale and slaughter of wild free-roaming horses and
burros. This bill amends the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of
1971(Public Law 92-195).
The bill was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
For texts of the bills, visit http://thomas.loc.gov. Please feel free to
contact the American Horse Council if you have any questions on either
bill.
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