Opponents of Montanas Horse-slaughter Bill react

Click on title above for article;

http://www.kfbb.com/news/local/44327242.html

Another pro-slaughter "horse-lover," painting a Grand Illusion

"Horse-loving breeder" speaks out in support of horse slaughter, asking us, what is so special about a horse;

Click on title above to go to the blog and REBUT REBUT REBUT

Thanks for caring.

Will we Ever Know if ole' Leroy Paid His Fine?

Well I hear ole' Leroy Baker is still in the equine auction business so I am
wondering did he pay the $162,000 fine that was due by January 16, 2009. I
called the USDA APHIS office in washinton DC and spoke to a Carlton Bradshaw at
the Hearing Clerks Office (202) 720-4443. I gave him the docket # of leroys case
(AQ-08-0074) and he looked it up and told me that he did not know if the fine
was paid yet or not. He explained that once a judgement is final, and a fine
imposed, it is the Treasury Dept that is responsible for
collection.......sooooooo, I called the Treasury Dept Debt Collection Services
(888-826-3127)and reiterated my question as to whether or not the fine imposed
upon Leroy Baker of Sugarcreek Auction was paid,....only to be told that the
pubic WAS NOT PRIVY to that information!

My next attempt at trying to find out is to contact Thomas N. Bolick, Esq., the
USDA attorney of record for Leroys case,....but I dont hold out much hope for an
answer from him. Apparently, because ole' Leroy and his co. is a private
business, we may never know if he paid the fine or not.

R we Ok with that? I dont think so!

CJ/MK

Click on title above to see a copy of the judgement against Leroy;

Horse Counsil Survey Results

On March 8, 2009, I sent the survey (below) to each and every one of the state horse counsils, and only two responded, NY and TX, and of course, they professed to be pro-slaughter. At least they had the wherewithall to admit it.

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

A National Survey of Horse Councils & Other Equine Organizations

Keeping Our Eye on the Horse


Greetings Fellow Equine Lovers!

We are conducting a National Survey for use in helping us to determine the “National Conscience” of horsemen and woman in the United States in regards to the issue of horse-slaughter. As you may know, currently there are two (2) bills in Congress that would prohibit the slaughter of American Horses for human consumption abroad. The bills, HR 305 & 503, would also prohibit their exportation to other countries for slaughter and human consumption. These two bills are the subject of much debate, not only in Congress but in every state in the nation as well. We are hoping to put some clarity into the issue by helping to identify and define more clearly the “mind-set” of the two positions , both for and against. We are attempting to answer the questions, “Who is for” and “Who is against” and why. We are also seeking to determine, what, if any, alternatives to slaughter there may be. We are hoping that your organization will assist us in our efforts by completing this short and simple survey. Once completed, you can email it back to us by hitting the reply to this email, or email us at Qarr@nycap.rr.com

Thank you!


1. Name of Organization:________________________________________________

2. City / State: _________________________________________________________

3. Number of Members: ___________

4. Stated Purpose, Mission & Goals: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Your Organizations “Official” Position on Horse-Slaughter;

For ( ) Against ( )


Explain: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Was the official position as indicated above arrived at by a vote of all its members?

Yes ( ) No ( )

7. If not determined by vote of its members, how then was the determination arrived at?

Explain:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. If your organization is FOR horse slaughter, would your organization reconsider its position if there were real alternatives and workable solutions to the “unwanted” horse problem, such as more rescue, rehab and retirement facilities? Yes ( ) No ( )

9. If alternatives to slaughter existed, such as listed above, would your organization be willing to contribute a small part of its annual proceeds to such alternative programs? YES ( ) NO ( )

10. Of all your organizations members, how many are:

Breeders:__________________ Casual owner / riders that dont breed_______________

Click on title above to see (and sign) petition;

American and State Horse Councils Pro-Slaughter;
Click on title above to see petition;
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/state-horse-counsils-lobby-for-horse-slaughter

SOS for Starving Horses, Mares, Babies

PRESS RELEASE SOS FOR EQUINES

Ipswich Equine Rescue Corp
Irish Mist Farm
18644 Mathis Road,
Waller, Texas 77484

936-372-0028

281-239-9643

EIN Federal Number 04-3282940

Federal/State 501(C)3 non profit equine rescue.

SOS for starving PREGNANT mares and foals in TX

Ipswich Equine Rescue started rescuing OTTB'S in the late 80's.We became a federal/state 501(c)3 non profit equine rescue in Ipswich, Massachusetts.We strive to improve the lives of neglected,abused,mistreated,starved and slaughterbound equines.IER started the PREMARIN FOAL MISSION in 93 to 94.We promote ,educate and teach horsemanship through our experienced professional licensed trainers and instructors.We use the natural Irish/Indian horse whispering join up methods with all of our rescue horses.We have educated the general public regarding the atrocities of Equine Slaughter and Premarin through media coverage and national TV coverage. We strive to excell in all that we do.We had a 100 % success rate with YOUTH AT RISK, 4 H,local horsemanship classes and volunteers, also with teaching therapuetic riding to the less fortunate handicapped individuals.We have several successful years as horseman in Eventing, Jumping, Hunters, english Pleasure, Showing in Hand, dressage, etc.We have many years of education and practicum combined to give the safest possible equine haven and sanctuary.

SOS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE is NEEDED ASAP.

On May 10th,2009 we are rescuing 11 starved equines from Anderson County, Texas.We are working with Marie a professional Arab rider and rescuer.The equines are at 301 Private Road, Tennesse Colony,TX.

These paint mares /Quarter horse mares , Arab and Thoroughbred/Qh mares are all PREGNANT and need ER VET care ASAP?Here is a list of the equines we will be rescuing. Contact Marie 903-729-6068 or Kathleen 936-372-0028

1.5 year old appaloosa mare

2.5 year old big bay thoroughbred mare

3.3 year old paint breeding stock colt with stunted growth

4.chestnut quarter horse mare 18 years old very thin and PREGNANT

5.bay Quarter horse mare 4 or 5 years old

6.black PREGNANT arab mare

7. black and white tobiano paint mare with a less than 1 month old black and white filly weanling at her side(these 2 horses will die without proper feed and nutrients)

9. Big black quarter horse stallion 15.3 hands 6 years old

10.medicine hat paint mare PREGNANT very thin 7 years old

11. red roan quarterhorse appendix older PREGNANT Mare

Donations can be sent to;
Ipswich Equine Rescue/Kathleen Hofferty
Irish Mist Farm
18644 Mathis Road, Waller, TX 77484

Paypal donations can be made by visiting our website at www.ipswichequinerescuetx.bravehost.com
You can click on the title above to go there

We and the horses thank you!

BOTULISM, EQUINE - USA: (WYOMING)

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

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


Date: 30 Apr 2009
Source: Star Tribune [edited]



Metro investigates 10 sudden horse deaths
-----------------------------------------
Metro Animal Control is investigating the sudden
deaths of 10 horses on a property west of Casper,
Wyoming, in April 2009, its manager said Thursday
[30 Apr 2009]. Metro learned of the deaths on 11
April 2009 from the veterinarian of the horses'
owner, Rick Sulzen said. A total of 6 horses were
already dead by that date and the other 4, which
were lethargic and unable to stand, died within
the next 24 hours, he said.

The causes and manners of their deaths are
unknown, Sulzen said. "We didn't see anything out
of the ordinary." The horses appeared well cared
for, investigators did not find any apparent
environmental problems, and there was no evidence
of foul play, he said.

The horses drank from Casper Creek, which has
selenium in the water, Sulzen said. But other
animals drink from the stream and don't have
problems, he said. The owner kept the horses in
an area near 7 Mile Road and U.S. Highway 20-26.
The owner, Sulzen said, did not want to talk to
the press about the deaths.

Metro officials sent specimens of the horses to
the state veterinary laboratory in Laramie, and
to a lab at Colorado State University in Fort
Collins, Colo., he said. Metro is still waiting
for the results of the necropsies from the labs,
Sulzen said.

State Veterinarian Dr. Walter Cook learned of the
deaths by e-mails sent from local veterinarians.
Although the tests on the specimens are not
finished, a tentative cause of the deaths may
have been botulism, Cook said. Botulism is a form
of food poisoning caused by the bacterium
botulinum, which secrets a virulent nerve toxin
called botulin. It is not infectious, Cook said.
Spoiled food often is the culprit for animals and
humans, he said.

Botulism grows in an anaerobic -- oxygen-free --
environment such as canned goods consumed by
humans, Cook said. With livestock, botulism can
occur when a dead animal is trapped in a hay bale
and the bacteria grow because of the lack of
oxygen in the compressed feed, he said. When
consumed, the contaminated food causes paralysis
and almost always death, Cook said. He urged
animal caretakers to contact a veterinarian if an
animal becomes ill, and urged them to constantly
monitor the food sources.

Because the horse deaths apparently were not
caused by an infectious disease, the state
veterinarian's office rarely hears or deaths from
botulism and in his experience those occur every
4 to years, he said. In this case, the
near-sudden deaths of 10 horses is probably
unique, Cook said.

Likewise, Sulzen said he's never seen this number
of such deaths during his time as manager of
Metro, which is overseen by a joint powers board
of representatives from Bar Nunn, Mills,
Evansville, Natrona County and the city of
Casper. Metro has not notified local
veterinarians or horse owners because they don't
know the reasons for the deaths, he said. "We
haven't sent memos," Sulzen said. "We don't know
what to look for."

[Byline: Tom Morton
]

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Susan Baekeland

[Botulism, especially in animals, is a rare but
serious paralytic condition caused by a nerve
toxin produced by the bacterium _Clostridium
botulinum_. This organism produces a pre-formed
toxin responsible for the nerve paralysis. The
toxin binds to receptors on presynaptic terminals
of cholinergic synapses, is internalized into
vesicles, and then is translocated to the
cytosol. In the cytosol, the toxin mediates the
proteolysis of components of the calcium-induced
exocytosis apparatus (the SNARE proteins) to
interfere with acetylcholine release. Blockade of
neurotransmitter release at the terminal is
permanent, and recovery only occurs when the axon
sprouts a new terminal to replace the
toxin-damaged one. The classic syndrome of
botulism is a symmetrical, descending motor
paralysis in an alert patient, with no sensory
deficits.

If this is a case of botulism, the animals would
go down, and would die over a few hours as the
muscles of respiration become paralyzed. This
article does not provide much of a clinical
picture of what is happening with the animals. We
know that 10 animals are dead, and 6 were dead
before the authorizes began an investigation. Of
the brief description, 4 more with lethargy that
died within 24 hours is suspicious of botulism.

Unfortunate animals that have been baled into hay
sets up the situation for botulism to form in the
hay, which allows for the toxin to form in the
hay and then be consumed by animals.

Fortunately, for people and companion animals
there is an antitoxin, but it becomes rather
expensive for large animals.

Portions of this comment were extracted from:
- Mod.TG

The state of Wyoming can be located in the
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map at:

- CopyED.EJP]

[see also:
2008
----
Undiagnosed deaths, equine - USA: (FL) 20081010.3217
2006
----
Botulism, bovine - UK (England) 20060925.2743
Botulism, bovine - Australia 20060524.1464
2002
----
Botulism, cattle - Israel 20020618.4531
1999
----
Botulism, bovine - USA (California) (04) 19990605.0935
Botulism, bovine - USA (California) (03) 19990528.0901
Botulism, bovine - USA (California) (02) 19990526.0883
Botulism, bovine - USA (California) 19990524.0871
1998
----
Botulism, bovine - USA (California) (05) 19980501.0854
Botulism, bovine - USA (California) (04) 19980428.0813
Botulism, bovine - USA (California) (03) 19980424.0765
Botulism, bovine - USA (California) (02) 19980424.0763
Botulism, bovine - USA (California) 19980421.0748]
....................tg/ejp/lm

Montana Passes Horse-Slaughter Bill

In disturbing news, legislation to allow horse slaughterhouses to operate in Montana while limiting opportunities for legal action against them became law today.

HELENA, Montana - Today has been a setback of epic proportions.

Legislation to allow investor-owned horse slaughterhouses in Montana while limiting opportunities for legal action against them became law on Friday.


Friday was the deadline for Gov. Brian Schweitzer to act and, when no action was taken, House Bill 418 automatically became law.

The bill includes some protection against court injunctions that would stop or delay slaughterhouse construction. The measure sponsored by Rep. Ed Butcher, R-Winifred, aims to limit the kind of legal challenges that forced the last U.S. slaughterhouses, which were in Illinois and Texas, to close in 2007.

During the 2009 legislative session, which ended Tuesday, Schweitzer rejected the limit on legal action. He said it would strip people of appeal rights important in environmental protection. The Legislature then rejected the changes Schweitzer’s proposed.

The aptly named Butcher said during the session that the governor’s amendments would make the bill “an empty shell because nobody’s going to invest five to six million in a business in Montana if they’re going to be harassed.”

Schweitzer has said that as an owner of livestock and horses, he supports the humane processing of horses to produce meat for human consumption.

His communications director, Sarah Elliott, issued a terse statement Friday, saying only that “the governor made his opinion on this bill known, the Legislature did the same. No action was taken and the bill has now become law.”

The bill brought lawmakers and the governor a flood of e-mails and telephone messages, from across the country, in support of the legislation and against it.