HORSE SLAUGHTER - YAY OR NAY?

[HairOfTheDog]

This is a great topic and one I wish more people were aware of, of course then there are those who don't have two fucks to give about it

Looks like awareness might be increasing because the issue is hitting the mainstream media due to its tie-in to the federal budget coverage.

The story/debate was covered by ABC yesterday:

Snip:
State and federal lawsuits that have repeatedly delayed the opening of horse slaughterhouses in New Mexico and Missouri could be moot if the budget bill up for a vote in Congress this week passes without changes.

The spending bill released Monday night would effectively reinstate a federal ban on horse slaughter by cutting funding for inspections at equine facilities.


Opponents of slaughtering contend that "Americans do not want to see scarce tax dollars used to oversee an inhumane, disreputable horse slaughter industry," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "We don't have dog and cat slaughter plants in the U.S. catering to small markets overseas, and we shouldn't have horse slaughter operations for that purpose, either."

Proponents of slaughtering, however, contend domestic slaughter is the most humane way to deal with a rising number of abused and abandoned horses. Currently, unwanted horses are shipped to Canada and Mexico for slaughter. Some Indian tribes support a return to slaughter, saying exploding feral horse populations are destroying their rangelands.

"It is certainly disappointing that Congress is returning to a failed policy at the urging of special interest groups while failing to provide for an alternative," said Blair Dunn, an attorney for Valley Meat Co. in Roswell, N.M., and Rains Natural Meats in Gallatin, Mo. " The result is more waste and devastation of the range and the denial of access to an export market that would have created jobs and positive economic impacts to rural agriculture communities that desperately need these opportunities."

Animal rights groups and the Obama administration have been lobbying for the funding cut, as well as outright bans on horse slaughter in the United States. Congress cut funding for inspections at horse slaughterhouses in 2006, but reinstated the funding in 2011, four years after the last of the domestic plants closed.

full story:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory...s-21532061

[HairOfTheDog]

National Debate and Tempers Flare



A state district judge this month issued an injunction to stop the plant from opening after New Mexico's state attorney general filed suit, claiming the plant would contaminate the food chain.

And the latest budget passed by Congress cut funding for inspections of horse slaughter plants, a move that animal advocates say should keep entrepreneurs like De Los Santos out of the horse-killing business. But, the legal battle continues and there are two sides to every story.

From this week's LA TIMES...
Dressed in blue jeans, boots and an oversized cowboy hat, Smiley Wooton walked the grounds of his animal auction house here, detailing the intricacies of livestock life and death — whether it's a cow, pig or goat.

The barrel-chested rancher, who is also a Chaves County commissioner, says making informed decisions on which animals live and which go to slaughter is ingrained in the cultural fabric of this agricultural community of 48,000 in southeastern New Mexico, even among its children.

Wooton pointed to dozens of photos of 4-H winners posing with prize animals they raised from infancy. "Every one of these kids knew that animal would end up on somebody's plate," he said. "Everyone here gets that."

Now, that prevailing local wisdom is being challenged. The owner of a livestock processing plant wants his slaughterhouse to become the nation's first in years to begin butchering domestic horses.

Valley Meat Co. owner Rick De Los Santos, whom most folks know as a hard-working family man, had slaughtered cattle at his plant for two decades before it closed in 2012. A faltering economy, he says, prompted his decision to switch to horses. (He and others believe arson at his plant was at the hands of animal activists.)

Although Wooton and others favor the plan, condemnation has poured in from across the country.

"Americans care for horses, we ride horses, and we even put them to work. But we don't eat horses in the United States. And we shouldn't be gathering them up and slaughtering them for people to eat in far-off places," Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, said after the budget's passage.

Wooton and others beg to differ. They say politicians in Washington and the state Capitol in Santa Fe should stay out of Roswell's — and De Los Santos' — business. "This man has been raked over the coals so doggone long, it's frustrating for everybody," Wooton said. "Nobody loves horses more than cowboys. But society has made horses bigger than they are. They're livestock, a tool of the ranch business, not household pets" says Wooton.

Local leaders have some advice for out-of-state activists who pledge to protest if one horse is slaughtered here: Stay home.

"The majority of the complaints are not from Roswell, they're from places like New York and San Francisco," said Greg Nibert, an attorney and county commissioner. "But one man with a hunting rifle from somewhere in New Mexico called me and said, 'I've got a 30-ought-6, and if you kill one horse, I will take you out.'"

Chaves County authorities have met in recent weeks to scope out a security plan in case the plant opens. "I don't have a dog in this fight — I'm here to protect the people," Sheriff Rob Coon said. "Our concern is that these protesters are going to hurt business. I don't want any human chain in front of the trucks bringing those horses in."

Sheriff Coon said the controversy's worst weeks came after a video posted on YouTube showed a Roswell-area man shooting a horse in the head after taunting animal activists. An investigation determined the man ate the horse meat and therefore broke no laws.

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-rosw...z2rzqeYgQH

[Duchess]

I stick my head in the sand when it comes to the reality of killing horses. It's hurts my heart. It's so difficult to think about, once I start, my imagination takes off with me and I imagine their fear, their distress of being packed like Jews in a cattle car. It's horrible.

[HairOfTheDog]

I understand, Duchess.

I was completely ignorant about the business of horse slaughter til a couple of weeks ago when I saw the OP story.

Did a little research a bit later and came across some pictures that really tore at my heart.

I don't know if it would be much better seeing similar pictures of cows or pigs - even though I eat them regularly and don't consider them regal or majestic - I don't know because I choose not to look.

Slaughtered chickens, on the other hand, no prob. Chickens are kinda annoying though - so that could be it. I might be an animal bigot.

There is something special about horses...

[Duchess]

It has the power to reduce me to tears.

If there are no horses in Heaven, I'm not going!

[HairOfTheDog]

They will be there.

Now you, on the other hand, that's debatable.

[Duchess]

Do you know something I don't?

[HairOfTheDog]

Do you know something I don't?

Nope. I'm pretty sure I have less an idea or feeling about what, if anything, comes after this earthly life than most everyone else. I'm a blank page in that regard.

But, all kidding aside, if there is a heaven - based on what I've heard and seen over the last 2.5 years - I'd bet on you as a shoe-in. And, I imagine there would be wild flowers and wild horses abound.

Sappy, but true.

[Duchess]

I prefer the sappy when it comes to my death, so thanks!

[HairOfTheDog]

Don't be too thankful yet.

I'm sincere, but just shooting from the hip about such things.

It would mean a lot more to get the heavenly thumbs-up from an expert, like Clang.

Where is that cross-dressing, bunny-killing, priest-in-the-making anyway?

[Maggot]

It will be lonely in hell. I will ride my flaming horse from hades to the gates of no return.

[HairOfTheDog]

It will be lonely in hell. I will ride my flaming horse from hades to the gates of no return.

Were you flipping me off specifically or all of us heathens in general, Dr. M.?

If the latter and we're all good, would you mind picking me up in Hades and giving me a ride back to your place up north?

Thanks.

[Maggot]

Eh.............flipping off anyone that looked................

[HairOfTheDog]

Well then, you just might experience a buck off amidst your fuck off, mister.

Horses have good instincts about their riders, I've heard.

Anyway, I just might be doing the limbo with one thumb perpetually stuck out in beg of a ride north for ...IDK, up to an eternity?

I just hope there's music, whether my soul ends up in a fiery pit, a paradise, or anything/nothing in between.

Rust never sleeps.

[Cynical Ninja]

I don't really understand the concept of “I will eat these animals but I won't eat those”?

Saying “the slaughter of horses is terrible” while eating lamb chops or veal or bacon or chicken on the bone puzzles me.

[Duchess]

I've never eaten lamb or veal. However, I once ate bull's balls. Jesus Christ.

[Cynical Ninja]

I've never eaten lamb or veal. However, I once ate bull's balls. Jesus Christ.

I'd rather eat horse burgers than bull bollocks.

[Duchess]

It haunts me to this day.

[Cynical Ninja]

It haunts me to this day.

Did you know what they were? How did they taste?

[Duchess]

Hell no I didn't know what they were. I would never, ever knowingly eat something like that. *gags*

I don't recall them as being disgusting taste wise.