Gov. Schweitzer Should Keep Horse Slaughter Out of Montana
By Bonnie Erbe, Thomas Jefferson Street blog.
Keep your fingers crossed that Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer soon vetoes a bill that would allow horse slaughter back into the United States.
Gov. Schweitzer has already sent the bill back to the Montana House and Senate with an amendatory veto, but the chambers, apparently in the pocket of the horse meat industry, refused to change the bill and sent it back to the governor in its original form.
One of the main supporters of the bill, if not the main one, is Rep. Ed Butcher. The guy is not only in favor of a practice disdained by most Americans, to wit, horse slaughter, but has shown disrespect for special needs children, referring to them in 2004 as "vegetables".
More recently, he referred to his fellow legislator and Native American Jonathan Windy Boy (Chippewa Cree) as "Chief" on the Montana House floor and inquired whether he would wield his vice-chairman's gavel as a 'war club'". Mr. Butcher did later apologize.
Since horse slaughter was banned in the United States, most of our unwanted horses are shipped to Canada and Mexico for slaughter. A Canadian Broadcasting Company investigation into conditions at a horse slaughter plant there raised questions about whether it is possible to slaughter horses "humanely." My opinion is that is impossible and people engaged in this trade have a singular ability to ignore the terror, pain and cruelty they inflict on other animals (man being an animal, too.) According to the CBC:
One scene from the video footage shows a stun gun operator repeatedly hitting an unco-operative horse with a stick. There was also evidence horses had been transported with their horseshoes still on, which violates regulations, unless the animals are separated in the truck, because the horses could hurt each other.
It's a disgusting, dirty business and the fact Montana legislators would seriously consider bringing it back to the United States is heart-breaking. Let's hope Gov. Schweitzer remains on the side of the righteous.
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Tags: animal cruelty | horses
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Reader Comments
Horse Slaughter IS inhumane
The majority of Americans believe that there is no humane way to slaughter horses and I agree. I would bet that the minority of those who don't have no college education and have a vested interest in factory farms and other corporate food/beverage companies.
So far, those in agreement with me are winning this battle in the US. Cheers!
I am a horse owner!!!
I am a horse owner and have loved more then one wonderful horse thought out my life.
I agree that some horses should not be bred but the reason some people breed is to get better faster stronger horses. Just like every sport.
I believe there is a GREAT need for the slaughter houses to be reopen. It is the cycle of life. Just like the great out doors of Africa. Some times we people need to wake up and realize that God knew better then us, that is why he did it this way. Ask your dog, he doesn't mind eating my extra horses.
Just for instants,
Did you know that We Americans are paying approximately $3.00 a day for the wild mustangs to stay alive after they turn 6 years old. Not that these animals are bad but a horse can live to be about 30 years old.
These horses weren't bred on any "farm" just the way of nature. And they are taking away grazing land from other animals.
Thank you for listing.
STUPID Uninformed Again!
Uninformed Again! I FEEL VERY BAD FOR YOUR HORSES, I WISH ONE DAY YOU ARE SEND TO SLAUGHTER, CUZ YOU KNOW, HUMAN POPULATION IS ALSO OVERPOPULATED (: WE DONT NEED PERSONS LIKE YOU LEAVING IN THIS WORLD.
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