Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Groups push to restart horse slaughter in US, Including American Indians

Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com

July 19, 2009

Several groups are pushing to renew the slaughter of horses in the U.S., possibly starting in Oregon.

Proponents are pushing Congress to introduce a bill to allow the U.S. Department of Agriculture to resume inspecting horse meat for human consumption.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs also are considering building a slaughter and processing facility — possibly for pet food — on their reservation north of Madras.

The project was recommended last spring by a coalition of Northwest tribes.

The success of either idea is far from a done deal, however.

A congressional spokesman says bills that favor the slaughtering of horses face a chilly reception.

And a tribal spokesman says it's too early to say much about a reservation slaughter facility.

Supporters of horse slaughters say it's a way to deal with tens of thousands of unwanted horses. Factors in the glut include uncontrolled breeding, closure of the last U.S. horse-processing plants and an economy that left many owners unable to pay for feed and care.

"We think it is very fair and accurate to say there are probably 100,000 horses that would go to processing today" if a plant were available, said Wyoming state Rep. Sue Wallis, a rancher in favor if reinstating horse slaughtering.

Animal-rights advocates say slaughters are inhumane and repugnant.

"This is a predatory business," said Chris Heyde, spokesman for the Animal Welfare Institute in Washington, D.C., who called reports of horse abandonment exaggerated. "It is making a political game out of a serious issue."

Until two years ago, as many as 100,000 horses were killed annually in the U.S. for meat for foreign markets.

A federal court ruling in 2007 closed the nation's last horse-processing plant — Cavel International in DeKalb, Ill. — on the heels of two Texas closures resulting from a state decision to enforce a 1949 ban on horse-meat facilities.

___
Bloggers note: Apparently the writer of this article was not informed that American Horses are still going to slaughter in numbers even greater than before the closing of the US plants. Slaughter is still very much an option for horse-owners who want that service, so....so much for that argument...it keeps popping back up however. The pro-slaughters are grasping at straws for excuses to keep horse-slaughter going.

July 224 - UPDATE - Correcting MisInformation about the Confederation of Warm Sprngs Tribe; They ARE NOT for horse-slaughter!

This just out in response to above article;

---------------------------

Native Americans proved not to be proponents
News Room 12:58 AM 25-Jul-2009 NZT

A prominent equestrian author, R.T. Fitch, has exposed information reported in an Associated Press article as bogus. The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon refuted claims made in the article quoting tribal sources saying there are no such plans to build a slaughter plant on any reservation. The story was reported in the online edition of Horseback Magazine.

On July 18th, 2009, an Associated Press story hit the internet quoting sources saying the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon, would attempt to reintroduce horse slaughter into the United States. The headline, “Groups Push to Slaughter Horses for Meat Possibly in Oregon” swept across the internet like wildfire.

”Native Americans and others are pushing for the renewed slaughter of horses in the U.S….and processing them into meat,” The AP story said. “...The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are considering building a slaughter and processing facility…on their reservation north of Madras, as recommended last spring by a coalition of Northwest tribes.

The story by Dick Cockle is inaccurate. Several days of data mining and calls to the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs revealed information that refutes virtually everything Cockle reported.

“No, we are not making any plans to build a horse slaughter plant on any reservation”, stated Tim Outman, field representative for the Warm Springs Tribe’s Department of Natural Resources.

Putting all cultural and moral conflicts aside, Outman said, “Who would invest $8-10 million into building a facility where there is absolutely no market? Shipping horse meat is against Federal Law. We have no idea what, where or who, is perpetuating this misinformation.”

“This sort of journalism does nothing to further the cause and public relations of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs”, stated Outman.

The AP also misquoted Chris Hyde of Washington’s Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) as well, says the DC lobbyist.

“Richard Cockle has again written another poorly researched and unsupported article on horses,” an outraged Hyde told an Oregon news organization. “I spent a great deal of time on the phone with him providing facts and evidence dismissing the misleading claims put forward by individuals more interested in abusing horses than advancing the truth.”

“However, what does he do? Prints rhetoric,” Hyde continued. “It is a shame that Mr. Cockle, Sue Wallis and others continue to exploit the truth and suffering of horses just to make a name for themselves nationally.”

Wallis is a Wyoming state representative active in an effort to return equine slaughter to the United States.

R.T. Fitch is Author of the acclaimed Straight From the Horse’s Heart.


Vicki TOBIN


http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=74002

-------------------

KUDOS to the Warm Springs Tribe, However, the National Congress of American Inidans came out last summer asking Congress to allow them to build horse-slaughter plants on some Indian Lands; To my native american brothers and sisters who want horse-slaughter, we have made a petition; Click on the post-title above to go to the petition;

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/south-dakota-sioux-to-slaughter-horses

More Horse Butchery in Miami-Dade

Another horse found mutilated in Miami-Dade

Another horse was found mutilated and killed over the weekend in Southwest
Miami-Dade, apparently the latest victim of amateur butchers only
interested in the animal's meat.

The horse was found tied to a tree and dismembered along 212th Avenue, the
latest in over a dozen horse killings in the area in the past few months.

"It's horrible. It's really frustrating to see something that has been
going on for some time," said Oscar Martinez, who owns a farm nearby where the
latest horse was found. "They have been killing horses all over this area."

Click on title to read more: _http://netposse.com/horse_slaughtered_florida.html_
(http://netposse.com/horse_slaughtered_florida.html)

Debi Metcalfe
Stolen Horse International, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
NetPosse.com
PO Box 1341
Shelby, NC 28151 idahonc@aol.com
Home of the IDAHO Alerts for stolen horses, tack, trailers and farm
equipment.
----------
Bloggers Note:
Maybe we should all kick in to put up a reward for the capture of the Miami-Dade Horse Butcherer...do you think NetPossie might help us to do this?
Wouldnt that be nice? Lets ask them!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS, EQUINE - USA (06): (TEXAS)

******************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: 17 Jul 2009
Source: Texas Animal health Commission, press release [edited]



Horses in East Texas Die from Eastern Equine Encephalitis
---------------------------------------------------------
So far, 2 horses, one in Jasper County and the other in Newton County,
in East Texas, have died from eastern equine encephalitis (EEE).
Humans also are susceptible to EEE, which causes inflammation of the
brain. The disease is spread by mosquitoes, and measures should be
taken to prevent human and animal exposure to the biting pests.

"As part of their routine health care, horses in all parts of the
state should be vaccinated to protect against dangerous mosquito-borne
diseases, including West Nile Virus, and eastern and western equine
encephalitis (EEE and WEE)," said Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas' state
veterinarian and head of the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC),
the state's livestock and poultry health regulatory agency.

"It takes a week to 10 days after vaccination for the animal to
develop protective antibodies, and booster shots must be administered
as directed by the vaccine manufacturer to maintain the highest level
of protection," he said. "As effective as vaccines are, however, they
are not foolproof, and rare instances of disease can occur. Therefore,
it is essential that you protect yourself and your horses against
mosquito exposure with a repellent containing DEET."

Dr. Hillman also said other preventive measures should include
draining stagnant water, where mosquitoes can breed, and using
approved products that kill mosquito larvae in desired water sources,
such as troughs, ponds and fountains. Avoid being outside at night or
at dawn, when mosquitoes are most active, wear long sleeves when
possible, and consider sheltering horses at night.

"Contact your veterinarian immediately, if your horse acts
erratically, is confused, staggers or collapses. These are clinical
signs of an encephalitic or brain inflammation condition, and a blood
test is needed to confirm the diagnosis. With appropriate supportive
care, about half of infected horses may survive. An infected horse
will not spread the West Nile Virus, EEE or WEE to humans," said Dr.
Hillman. Although they are not regulatory diseases, these
mosquito-spread infections are reportable to the TAHC, due to their
potential to cause human illness. In 2009, a horse in Washington
County, also in East Texas, has been confirmed to have West Nile Virus.

EEE also has been reported in July 2009 in horses in Florida,
Louisiana, Missouri and Virginia.

--
Communicated by:
Carla Everett


[Other areas reporting EEE are the state of Georgia and Canada. - Mod.TG

A map showing the location of Texas is available at:

- CopyEd.EJP]

[See also:
Eastern equine enceph., equine, emus 2008 - Canada: (QC), background
20090715.2528
Eastern equine encephalitis, equine - USA (05): (MO, VA) 20090714.2507
Eastern equine encephalitis, equine - USA (04): (FL, LA) 20090709.2454
Eastern equine encephalitis, equine - USA (03): (FL) 20090701.2378
Eastern equine encephalitis, equine - USA (02): (LA) 20090627.2332
Eastern equine encephalitis, equine - USA: (GA) 20090613.2197]
....................tg/ejp/jw
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information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
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Minn. records 1st case of Human West Nile virus of 2009

Last update: July 16, 2009 - 1:53 PM

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Minnesota has recorded its first human case of West Nile virus of 2009, and the Health Department is reminding residents to protect themselves from mosquitoes.

The department said Thursday that a Stevens County woman is recovering after becoming ill with West Nile meningitis in late June.

The Health Department says Minnesota has entered the period of highest risk for West Nile virus in humans as the mosquito that spreads the virus begins feeding on people instead of birds. The high-risk period ends in September.

While residents from throughout Minnesota are at risk for getting the mosquito-born virus, the greatest risk is in counties in western and central Minnesota.

The department recommends using insect repellent, including those with DEET, at dawn and dusk.

___

On the Net:

Minnesota Department of Health: http://www.health.state.mn.us.


http://www.startribune.com/local/50957692.html?elr=KArksUUUU

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Congress Has Another Chance to End Horse Slaughter - Will They Blow It Again?

Congress Has a Chance to Strike a Blow Against Horse Slaughter

By Bonnie Erbe, July 14, 2009 03:40 PM ET | US News & World Report;
Thomas Jefferson Street blog

Today is Save the Horses Day (my phrase) on Capitol Hill for equine enthusiasts nationwide. The Humane Society and Animal Welfare Institute have invited horse lovers and rescue operations from across the country to convene at the U.S. Capitol to lobby their House members and Senators to support a bill that would ban the transport of U.S. horses to Canada and Mexico for slaughter.

I covered the group's breakfast session in the Russell Senate Office Building where Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) addressed the crowd. She explained her life-long love of horses and why she's one of four co-authors (along with Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.)) of a bill, S-727/H.R. 503, to ban transport for horse slaughter.

Several years ago the last horse slaughterhouse in the U.S. was shuttered. But the bloody doors flew wide open at Canadian and Mexican slaughterhouses, waiting for the outflow of horses shipped from the United States. Transport of these mostly healthy, mostly young (average age: 7) horses in crowded, open trailers for days, almost always without food or water, is horrible enough. Then, they are lined up where untrained low-wage workers shoot bolts into their brains. The horses can take hours to die and the bolts frequently miss. You could not imagine a more inhumane fate.

Both groups discussed the "myth" of the unwanted horse. So-called killer buyers are making so much money off of horses' misery, they now outbid rescue groups trying to save the horses.

The bill, by the way, encourages as an alternative to transport, humane euthanization here in the U.S. by gunshot or sedation. I don't agree with that portion of the bill, but gun crazed horse killers can't complain the bill robs them of the power to kill their own horses. Unfortunately, it does not. What they lose by killing the horses themselves is the $400 fee the horse would bring at auction. And if they kill the horse legally, they usually have to pay something to dispose of the remains.

--------End of Article

Reader Comments (Click on title above to leave your own comment to this article)

Read all 2 comments about this article

Christine A Jubic aka "MuleKist" of NY
Jul 15, 2009 16:13:19 PM

We Dont Need No Stinkin Bill to End Horse Slaughter

They have an Anti-Horse Slaughter "Lobby Day" every year in Washington DC. We have been lobbying and submitting anti-horse slaughter bills since our own senator from NY (Sweeney) submitted the first one waaaay back in the mid to late 90's. There has been some form of anti-horse slaughter bill "on the hill" eversince, and you would think it would be apparent to the anti-horse slaughter camp by now that it just aint gonna happen. They WILL NOT pass our bills I dont care how much support the politicians claim to give it....horse-slaughter will never be banned through the legislative process. There is just too much $pecial Intere$t Money Involved on the Pro-slaughter side, most of it coming from BigAg and the cattlemen, the rest coming from the Equine Industry itself; The Jockey Club, the Breed associations like the AQHA, APHA, etc.

However, the GOOD NEWS is, that we dont need a bill to end horse slaughter....all we need to do is hold the Industry ACCOUNTABLE for all the "unwanted" horses they are producing & promoting the breeding of. Afterall, it is they that are claiming a "need" for horse slaughter to dispose of the horses that are no longer profitable for them to use.


Cut and paste the link below to your web browser to learn more about our "Friends of Equines FOES of Equine Slaughter" Industry Accountability Campaigns,....We are tired of asking nicely and waitin for our bills to pass,...

http://www.freewebs.com/friendsofequines

NOW is the time for DEMANDS!


See you in SARATOGA this summer where we will let the TB racing industry have it again !

Be there or be square!

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/erbe/2009/07/14/congress-has-a-chance-to-strike-a-blow-against-horse-slaughter.html

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Texas to Give Horse-Breeding Incentives but Still NO $$$ for Rescue or Retirement

Horse Incentive Fund Bill Signed by Texas Governor
by: Edited Press Release / The Horse.Com
July 02 2009, Article # 14473

All American Quarter Horses, American Paint Horses, and Appaloosas conceived by mares and stallions living in Texas during 2009 are eligible to be nominated to the new Texas Equine Incentive Fund. House Bill 1881, which was signed by Gov. Rick Perry on June 19. It becomes law Sept. 1.

The bill creates a voluntary monetary incentive program to keep Quarter, Paint, and Appaloosa horses breeding, showing, or racing in Texas.

The bill was introduced into the Texas House by Rep. Sid Miller (R) of Erath in February and garnered broad support as a nonpartisan bill that did not assess taxes on Texas residents.

Miller was the 2006 and 2007 amateur tie-down roping world champion and the 2007 reserve world champion in amateur breakaway roping at the AQHA World Championship Show, and the reserve world champion in breakaway roping at AQHA's 2008 Bayer Select World Championship Show.

The Texas Equine Incentive Fund will provide rural jobs in the state of Texas by providing incentives to raise and show horses in Texas, rather than other states. The funds for the program are raised within the horse industry and will be administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture. The rules and guidelines for the program will be determined by a panel representing each of the stock-horse breeds.

The equine industry was worth more than $11 billion in 1998, according to studies at Texas A&M University.

Texas is home to about 900,000 horses. More than 450,000 people are employed by or involved in the industry. More than 101,000 service-providers' jobs are affected, including veterinarians, veterinary support staff, real estate agents, trainers, farriers, horse trailer dealerships, truck dealerships, fertilizer dealers, feed stores, saddle and tack makers, western apparel stores, hay growers, hotels, and restaurants.

For more information, contact the Texas-Bred Horse Association at 214/223-4188. Watch upcoming issues of The American Quarter Horse Journal for more information on this program.


http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=14473

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

SOS for "Artania," Russin Troupe Show Horses Stuck in Dallas, TX


-----------
UPDATE: july 2, 2009

I have just spoke with Jan, the coordinator of this rescue, and apparenty the situation is under control. More updates as they come.
Thanks for Caring!
CJ
-------------

I don't know if you are familiar with the show Artania. It is a Russian
troup of performers here in Dallas, TX for a show. The show did not work out
and the backer pulled the plug on them - literally! They have a huge tent
set up downtown and the electricity and water have been cut off. They are
hauling in water for ninteen horses and trying to care for them. They need
someplace safe to move these horses while they reorganize. I'm guessing the
portable stalls they have belong to them but they need a sheltered space for
them with access to water. They are in shock from the whole thing and very
much need help. If you have any suggestions please let me know. Pass this
on to anyone you can think of that might help. You can call me if you can
help at 214-543-5434. Thanks, Jan

MarV/TX

Click on title above for full story;
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/063009dnmethorses.1c226e09.html