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Hi Folks,
Every month or two I like to help everyone who is interested
catch up on the recent developments in the fight against
horse slaughter.
There is good news and bad news. Most news is good, but
first let me discuss the bad news. Most auctions divide their
sales up into categories like "loose horses", "saddle horses",
etc. in an effort to get the most out of trained or registered horses
We watch the auctions very closely, and the price of "loose horses",
the category slaughter people predate the most, has slowly been
going up while the number of horses has been going down.
Unfortunately, this has not slowed the slaughter plants. The
rate of slaughter of our horses has risen from 1500 per week early
in the year to 1800 recently. If legislation isn't passed soon, this
will be the worst year in the past four or five.
Good news. The new legislation is out as most of you know and
the house version is HR 503 (it was 857 last year). This year it
was introduced into the commerce committee! This means that
my old friend representative Goodlatte will not be able to block
it from coming to a vote as he did last year. This gives us an
infinitely better chance of getting it passed. We need everyone
to push your congress person to sign on as a cosponsor!
More good news. The mayor of Dekalb Illinois, Greg Sparrow,
who has always been a strong supporter of the Cavel plant has
been unseated by Frank VanBuer in the latest election. VanBuer
is much more likely to help us get that dreadful place shut down.
Mayor Paula Bacon of Kaufman Texas has been a long time
opponent of the Dallas Crown horse slaughter plant there. This
year she was challenged by an opponent who apparently had
heavy backing from the plant. She defeated him!
In short, there is reason to be hopeful. We are being very careful
in everything we say at this point to try to nurse this through to
law. Many of you may know that the two slaughter houses in
Texas are operating against state law, and are only operating
under an injunction while a federal judge considers the case.
That has been the case for three years! Many think he will
have to rule soon.
The number of articles on horse slaughter is up dramatically
since last year. Last year I could tell you who wrote almost
every letter to the editor and op-ed. Now the professional
journalists are studying the issue. Bill Heller's new book
“After the Finish Line: The Race to End Horse Slaughter in
America.” is out and getting great reviews. Nick Zitto, a
top tier race horse trainer, has been one of the driving forces
of the movement. He has been rewarded with racing success
after success. This will give him yet more opportunity to
drive this home.
Please do not stop putting the pressure on your congressmen
and senators. I believe emails are more effective than signing
a petition, letters are more effective than emails, and follow up
calls are more effective yet.
Thanks
John Holland
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