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Caring For The National Herd by
Garry Stauber
Strong
emotions often emerge when discussing topics such as horse slaughter or
the plight of wild mustangs. These two topics now go hand in
hand, due to the action of Montana Senator Conrad Burns. He quietly
slipped these controversial issues into the appropriations bill of 2005. A
few sentences added to this bill changed a 34-year-old law.
Hidden
deep within the small print of the appropriations bill was language that
mandated “without limitation” that all horses captured by the Bureau
of Land Management (BLM), 10 years or older and deemed “un-adoptable,”
be sold for any purpose (including slaughter). Despite widespread
agreement that other alternatives could be found, the bill was signed and
became law.
Currently,
the BLM would like to reduce the number of wild horses on the range by
9,000, leaving a total of 28,000 free-roaming horses in the United States.
Cavel International is a Belgian-owned slaughterhouse that re-opened
operations in Illinois in 2004. However, James Tucker, manager of
Cavel International, was quoted in the Northern Star News as saying,
"We don’t really want wild horses. They are usually not good
quality and there are really not many of them."
This
year a counter bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives,
trying to restore the Wild Horse and Burro Act of 1971 to its original
intent. The Wild Horse and Burro Act of 1971 established a
national policy of protection and management of wild free-roaming horses
and burros. H.R. 297 introduced by Congressman Nick Rahall of West
Virginia.
Proponents
of this bill believe that the slaughter of 50,000 domestic horses for
human consumption in Europe and Asia is in and of itself inhumane. Despite
these proponents having popular support, anti-slaughter bills aimed at
stopping the three U.S. slaughterhouses have stumbled in Congress and have
been tied up in committees, avoiding passage. Last year’s anti-slaughter
bill H.R. 857 was introduced by Senator Sweeney of New York and was
eventually lost in committee.
This
year Senator Sweeney introduced new legislation in the form of H.R. 503.
This bill has now been referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
for further deliberation. This bill has big waves of support. But
surprisingly, not all equestrian-related organizations are in favor of it.
These two very distinctly divided opinions have resulted in confusion
about the issues for many equestrians. Some very prestigious equine
organizations are opposed to the bills.
The
American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) is a group of over
7,500 practicing equine veterinarians. The AAEP and the AQHA (American
Quarter Horse Association) have joined together in stating that though
they are not pro-slaughter, they are also not supportive of any of the
bills currently proposed to prevent it. Their concerns are that too many
issues are not covered, including what is to be done with the increasing
number of unwanted horses. They argue that the current bills do not
adequately address these issues. At their 2004 national convention
the AAEP stated that they see their role as “stewards of the horse,”
and that the current bills provide only temporary solutions with far
greater negative long-term impacts.
The
AAEP has taken great criticism for their stance against the current bills.
AAEP Past President Tom Lenz, D.V.M., M.S., defended the organization’s
opposition to anti-slaughter legislation by stating that he had four major
concerns with H.R.857. First, the bill did not address the welfare of
those unwanted horses that were saved from slaughter. Also, the bill
unnecessarily limits options for methods of euthanasia by eliminating
bolt-action type methods. Additionally, he was concerned about the
disposal of carcasses of horses that die or are euthanized. And finally,
he is concerned that the bill does not provide an enforcement plan, which
could cause the even more inhumane plight of trucking horses out of the
country for slaughter.
It
is clear from his statements that slaughter is not a preferred option for
dealing with unwanted horses. But simple legislation banning equine
slaughter can create as many problems as it solves.
The
AAEP is one of many organizations whose representatives will meet in
Washington, D.C., on April 19, 2005, at the Unwanted Horse Summit during
the American Horse Council’s annual meeting. Discussions at this forum
will focus on what actions the horse industry can take to alleviate the
inhumane treatment and suffering of the unwanted horse.
There
is high hope among many that this forum will find meaningful long-term
solutions to the present plight of the unwanted horse in the United
States. The definition of “steward” is “a person employed in a large
household or estate to manage domestic concerns, or one who actively
directs affairs.” If the AAEP aggressively takes the role of “stewards
of the horse” at this forum, I believe there is hope for producing
long-term solutions. Then the equestrian community can unite around a
single voice and push through Congress necessary legislation that will
provide true protection for all horses for many years. If solutions do not
arise from this forum, then the hope lies that someone in Congress will
propose a viable solution that can pass all challenges.
Controversial
topics often indicate a large quantity of complex and divisive issues with
no easy solution, which is certainly the case in this matter. It appears
to me that we equestrians, who have the most passion for the plight of the
horse, need a cohesive solution upon which many can agree, and then we can
propose such solutions to our nation’s leaders.
Horse
slaughter is a complex issue. Free-roaming bands of mustangs must be
managed somehow. But the horse has been an icon throughout American
history. The noble horse has contributed courage in our sports,
valor in times of wars, transportation during migrations, partnership to
the cowboy, and loyal friendship to all who have owned them. These
animals, wild or domestic, deserve humane care in their lives and in their
deaths. Just as many have taken to writing their congressional
representatives with opinions on this issue, I recommend you write the
AAEP and tell them that you take their role as “stewards of the horse”
as seriously as they do, and that you have great hopes that they will lead
us to a viable solution that will pass through our Congress easily.
If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a country to care for a
herd. This difficult and complex issue will require all of us
equestrians to contribute and work together, for the good of all horses
everywhere.
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Copyright Garry
Stauber © 2004 All rights reserved. The above article is
the property of the Author and may not be duplicated or redistributed in
any way without permission. Visit Garry on-line at Dream Adventures.
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