April 23, 2007

Dear Humanitarian:

1. AMERICAN HORSE SLAUGHTER PREVENTION ACT

On April 25, the US Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will hold a mark-up for S. 311, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA). At the mark-up, Committee members will decide on the language of a measure they expect to report to the full Senate.

While support on the Senate Commerce Committee is strong, it is critical that all Committee members including cosponsors of this bill hear from an outpouring of constituents. Please urge the members of the Committee to stand strong against any misinformation that is being spread by pro-horse slaughter groups and individuals. Ask all members of the Committee to vote in favor of S. 311 and encourage Senate leadership to move the bill swiftly to the full Senate for consideration. If your own Senator is on the Committee it is especially important for you to contact him/her. Two years ago, the US Senate voted overwhelming to stop horse slaughter for a year; S. 311 will ensure that the practice is stopped permanently.

2. A BILL TO RESTORE THE PROHIBITION ON THE COMMERCIAL SALE AND SLAUGHTER OF WILD FREE-ROAMING HORSES AND BURROS

In the House of Representatives, Members of Congress will have an opportunity to take a stand for wild horses when H.R. 249, the Rahall/Whitfield amendment, comes up for a vote on Thursday. Introduced by Chairman Nick Rahall (D-WV), this bill would stop the commercial exploitation and slaughter of wild horses by repealing the 2004 "Burns rider" and restoring the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act to its original language.

Passage of these bills is critical to the welfare of America's horses. Congress has spoken out several times against the slaughter of both wild and domestic horses, and now they must take a stand to keep our horses safe forever.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

A. Please call and fax members of the Senate Commerce Committee TODAY, urging them to vote "YES" on S. 311, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. If they are currently cosponsoring the bill, also ask them to speak out on behalf of this important measure during the mark-up and persuade their colleagues to join them in support. Feel free to refer to the facts about horse slaughter listed below.

For a complete listing of committee members and their contact information, click here: www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=About.Members. To learn more about our campaign to stop horse slaughter for human consumption, please visit www.saplonline.org/w_horses.htm.

B. Please contact your Representative as well, asking that he or she vote "YES" on H.R. 249 to restore protections for wild horses when the measure comes to the House floor for a vote next Thursday. For more information on these animals' plight and how to contact your Representative, please click here: www.saplonline.org/w_horses.htm.

Additionally, please share this eAlert with family, friends and co-workers, and encourage them to contact the Commerce Committee Senators and their Representatives, too. As always, thank you very much for your help!

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FACTS AND FAQ's ABOUT HORSE SLAUGHTER

* Last year, three foreign-owned slaughter plants cruelly slaughtered more than 100,000 horses for human consumption in Europe and Asia. Tens of thousands more of America's horses were exported from the United States and slaughtered in other countries.

* Slaughter is NOT humane euthanasia. Horses suffer horribly on the way to and during slaughter.

* Passage of the AHSPA will reduce animal suffering hence its wide support throughout the equestrian and veterinary world, as well as the humane community.

* Americans overwhelmingly support an end to horse slaughter for human consumption. In California, a 1998 ballot initiative to ban horse slaughter for human consumption passed with 60 percent of the vote.

* Animal cruelty is NOT a property rights issue. It is illegal to abuse and neglect any animal, and horse slaughter is one of many tragic forms of animal cruelty.

* A recent ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Texas law making the operation of the two Texas plants illegal.

* The US District Court recently ruled that the US Department of Agriculture scheme that allowed the horse slaughter facilities to hire their own inspectors is a violation federal law. All plants were ordered to close immediately.

* Horse slaughter has been stopped temporarily in the United States, but could resume without passage of the AHSPA. Horses are still being shipped to Mexico and Canada for slaughter, causing even greater suffering.