“All horses love to run, my horse loves to gallop (without any coaxing, i.e. kicked, whipped) on the beach; then she stops when she has had enough! But there is a big difference between letting them run freely & forcing them to carry on galloping, when they have given their all, by whipping etc. This just totally pxxxxs’s me off! Why? Because it’s all down to money!”
Two horses, both aged six-years-old, lost their lives at Plumpton Racecourse yesterday afternoon (Sunday 11 May).
In the first race of the day, Head Rush was pulled up injured, halfway through the two-mile hurdle race in which he was competing. Then, in the final event of the day, a National Hunt flat race, grey gelding Eastbury fell to the ground injured and was seen struggling to get up.
Horse deaths at Plumpton are not rare. Two other horses, Ironically and Business Mover, were killed in almost identical circumstances to yesterday’s victims on the same race day in May 2013. And a total of 29 horses have perished at the East Sussex course since March 2007.
“Please share the video below with everybody you know! Most country’s were built on the back of horses & this is how they are repaid…it’s Fxxxxxg disgusting!!”
“Please support all horse welfare charities that are trying to stop the slaughter of horses for human consumption. Please try to watch so you can understand the suffering they go through…the first video is fine to watch; the second, well it shows the truth & it’s not pretty or nice!!”
This video shows a mare delivered to the Cavel horse slaughter plant in Illinois on behalf of kill buyer John Birdsong. The mare should have never been loaded in this horrific condition. This is just more proof that horse slaughter – no matter if on US soil or in Canada or Mexico – will NEVER be humane. Please share wide and far and urge your representative to support the SAFE ACT, legislation that would ban the slaughter of US horses for human consumption.
WARNING – GRAPHIC CONTENT THAT MIGHT BE DISTURBING TO SOME VIEWERS.
Animals’ Angels (www.animalsangels.org) latest video shows the brutal reality of the horse slaughter industry in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Argentina. Our investigators followed the slaughter horses’ torturous journey all the way from US auctions to kill buyer feedlots and from there to export pens and slaughter plants across the border.
Please share this video wide and far, it is more proof that horse slaughter will never be humane and that it needs to stop immediately.
Please support the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE ACT; S.541;H.R.1094) Act , legislation introduced to stop the export of US horses across the border for slaughter in Mexico & Canada and to prevent US horse slaughter plants from reopening.
Contact your representative now and urge him/her to support this important legislation. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
“I am seriously shocked & disgusted at the following painful treatments these poor horses have to endure. A horse, forced to run with a makeshift super glued hoof; later had to be killed! Please watch the video & read on screen or listen to how trainers, vets or owners talk about their horses…the sick POS need putting down; not the horses! I am furious & sickened by what PETA documented. If you love animals; Please DO NOT BET ON any RACE HORSE either in the US or UK!!”
“PLEASE TAKE ACTION at the link BELOW; please don’t let them suffer!”
Imagine being forced to run, being pushed beyond the breaking point, the bones in your legs straining to hold up the weight of your body, your bleeding lungs incapable of breathing in enough air, and forced to keep running in spite of it all.
This is what life is like for racehorses who are chronically drugged by trainers in order to mask their pain and make them run faster.
All this, just so their owners and trainers can win money or fame.
For the first time ever, PETA has captured these cruel, standard industry practices on camera during an undercover investigation of leading thoroughbred trainer Steve Asmussen. Watch now:
UGH: Horses Drugged for Racing!
Published on 20 Mar 2014
A PETA undercover investigation of a leading thoroughbred trainer reveals that horses are DRUGGED to make them run faster and to hide their injuries. http://peta2.me/2nnnb
“We witnessed a horse so sore it hurt him even to stand, thyroid medication dumped into horses’ daily feed, and horses who had been blistered in a bizarre attempt to stimulate healing. Even at this top level of racing, the syringe is the top training tool, and if the horses get out alive, they’re broken.”
PETA’s investigation revealed the following …
Many if not all horses in Asmussen’s New York stable were giventhyroxine, a powerful drug that treats hypothyroidism. Horses may not have needed the drug―they may have been given it solely to “juice them up” and push them beyond their natural capabilities.
A horse’s legs were burned with liquid nitrogen, according to one trainer, and other horses’ legs were blistered with chemical paint, purportedly to stimulate blood flow to their sore legs but leaving multiple scars.
Horses were also given muscle relaxants, sedatives, and other potent pharmaceuticals―treatments designed for ailments such as ulcers, lameness, and inflammation―at times when they had no apparent symptoms.
Horses are reportedly sometimes electro-shocked with concealed buzzers to make them run faster.
One horse, Nehro (who came in second in the 2011 Kentucky Derby), was forced to run with chronically painful hooves that actually had holes in them and that were held together with superglue and was eventually killed after becoming violently ill.
HELP HORSES NOW!
Contact your U.S. representative and senators and ask them to support the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2013, Senate Bill 973 and House Bill 2012, which would increase oversight and penalties for overusing drugs in horse racing.
Remember: The best thing you can do to help horses in the racing industry is never to attend any race, including the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes.
Participation in this action alert is limited to those who live in the U.S., but if you are outside the U.S., you can still help horses by sharing the video and encouraging everyone you know to skip horse races.
“I actually started writing this several weeks ago, but can only now bring myself to finish it, as my tears have dried up & given way to anger! No animal deserves to be used & tortured in such a heinous manner, for human entertainment; which is why it should be stopped.”
“This barbaric, disgusting spectacle should have been outlawed many years ago; this should not be allowed to continue in the 21st Century. Where are the animal welfare laws? We have to make the Mexican Government listen & they will only do that if enough people shout…so I beg you; please sign these petitions:-
The pain and suffering inflicted on the horses is immense. The fact that this is a “public event” witnessed by all, including children is very harmful to all.
They call it a feast. In the state of Yucatan, Mexico there is a “rodeo” type event called “Torneo de Lazo” where bulls ram horses and eviscerate them. THIS CAUSES A VERY HIGH LEVEL OF PAIN TO THE HORSES.
These horses usually collapse and while still alive continue to get trampled by bulls and other horses during the length of this violent and cruel event where horsemen try to lasso the running, charging bulls (the bulls are specifically bred and trained to ram horses).
Although it is against the law, this is only in name. Mexico’s federal government as well as the local authorities do nothing to stop this. This event takes place state wide all year round.
One bull was well known for killing horses, but the bull was eventually strangled to death by cowboys sick of him defeating their horses.
Horse collapsed after being gored by bull!
“Can you imagine the horses terror & pain if gored; trying to escape the bull, with their stomach contents pouring out! If they make it out the ring, I’ve heard that some owners may try to put the horses organs back inside (if not that bad) & stitch it up so it can go another round! Some owners may figure the horse is going to die, so might as well get the most out of it until it collapses. If a gored horse can’t be patched up; it gets a bullet! These owners can not possibly love or care for their horses or their safety, if they did they wouldn’t put them in harms way in the first place!”
“Don’t forget the poor bulls, this is all they know, they don’t distinguish between the horse & the rider; the bulls are roped & provoked, so of course they charge at the horse! But the bulls also suffer injuries, they can break off part of a horn or break legs trying to free themselves from the ropes. One can not blame the bulls for goring horses, those to blame are the ones riding the horses, antagonising the bulls; along with those allowing this despicable event to happen in the first place!”
“The horses have no protection…this horrific form of so called ‘entertainment’ depends on how fast the horse can run or outwit the bulls; bulls are not slow or stupid!! One can’t help but wonder the sheer terror these horses feel, when pitted against a bull!
Please demand the Mexican government to put and end to this barbaric event.
The video below shows what the bulls are capable of!! I find it astounding that when a horse is gored the crowd start screaming in shock etc! Erm….excuse me, but they paid to see this sickening event!!!
Viewer discretion Advised – The Terrible vs The Black 2013
Published on 13 Apr 2013
Best Black Bows with his horse The little note at the Rancho Don Chencho Terrible. Proving it is one of the best cowboys of the peninsula.
“People wonder why children abuse animals; well if they are allowed to see animals being ridiculed, abused & tortured, then they will probably grow up to have little or no respect for animals either!
“I feel I must explain the following video, for those who do not wish to view it; because you need to know how horrific this gruesome, so called form of entertainment is; to help put an end to it!
“A stunning grey horse is gored by the bull on its hind flank; it looks to me like its external abdominal oblique muscles start to spill out almost at once! Unfortunately the horse collapses as it is being taken out of the ring…sadly there is no hope for this stunning sentient being. So it is dragged through the gates; children watch as someone casually takes a gun out & points it at the horses head, it takes a couple of bullets to end the horses suffering! Then, in the final & most undignified act, the once beautiful grey is pulled through the mud & away from the gates, by other horses; as if it was some inanimate object! It looks like the bull pays with his life also, as at the end of the video it shows the ropes etc. possibly caused him to break his lower leg!
Jaripeo rancher coat, tie and rider. trajedias in Moroleon, Gto
Published on April 4, 2012
Jaripeo in Moroleon, Gto last March 25, 2012 Toro trimming of the Novillo JL hits the horse Chivo de la Cruz and then in a bad bull sale Jalon fractured his hand. (In this video there are strong images are warned of its content) thanks …
“WTF….what sort of people pay & also let their children watch, such a gruesome form of entertainment & think it normal? Humans can choose to fight in a bull ring; the animals can not!”
Please sign these petitions & share them; no animal should die for human entertainment:-
Ruby Walsh attacked on Twitter for comments describing animals as replaceable
Ruby Walsh created controversy when he said animals are replaceable after Our Conor suffered fatal fall at Cheltenham on first day
One tweet: ‘Ruby Walsh I hope you get your skull crushed by one of the horses you’re so heartlessly flippant about…’
On Wednesday, Mail reported how Walsh, who has twice won the Grand National, said there is a difference between death of a human and a horse
A star jockey has received death threats after he played down the death of a horse during a race.
Star jockey Ruby Walsh (above) has received death threats after he played down the death of a horse during a race. Above, Walsh on Faugheen celebrates victory in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle during Ladies Day at Cheltenham on Wednesday
Animal rights campaigners have accused the 34-year-old Irishman of being callous, while others have bombarded him with threats.
One tweeted: ‘Ruby Walsh I hope you get your skull crushed by one of the horses you’re so heartlessly flippant about. Animals should not die for sport.’
Another added: ‘Shame more jockeys aren’t killed instead of beautiful horses!!!!!! All jockeys are complete c**ts!! No horse is replaceable!’
Ruby Walsh created controversy when he said that animals are replaceable after Our Conor suffered a fatal fall at Cheltenham on the first day of racing. Above, Our Conor (right) ridden by jockey Daniel Mullins
While another wrote: ‘@Ruby Walsh Don’t worry if you die in a race, there’ll be someone to replace you too.’
On Wednesday, the Mail reported how Ruby Walsh, who has twice won the Grand National, said that there is a difference between the death of a human and a horse.
He said: ‘It’s sad, but horses are animals, outside your back door. Humans are humans. They are inside your back door.
‘You can replace a horse. You can’t replace a human being. That’s my feeling on it.’
Dene Stansall of campaign group Animal Aid told the Mail: ‘He has shown callousness for the animals that have earned him a good living.
‘It’s completely disrespectful. To treat the death of a horse in such a way shows that they are merely machines for people to make money.
‘Ruby Walsh is the leading jockey at Cheltenham and wants to support the event as much as he can, but you cannot disregard the lives of horses just because they are not humans.
‘We would expect more from him. This shows he has got little empathy for a horse that really suffered before it died.’
‘Lacking respect’: Ruby Walsh, seen after taking a record sixth Mares’ Hurdle title at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday, has been attacked by animal rights activists
Ingrid Newkirk, founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), said: ‘Walsh’s comments expose the true emotion behind horseracing: greed. They are deeply offensive to anyone who has ever loved and lost a horse or other beloved animal companion.
‘Unlike Walsh, horses are not unfeeling but experience joy, anxiety, fear and affection, just as human beings do.’
Mr Walsh last night declined to comment on the threats against him. He told the Mail: ‘I didn’t even know about it.’ Dozens of messages criticising Walsh have been sent directly to his Twitter account.
One user, with the profile name Amy, wrote: ‘Do you hate horses because you are so short and this makes you angry?’
Another posted: ‘YOUR (sic) AN IDIOT!! ‘A horse can be replaced’ really??? So can jockeys so I hope you fall off a horse & get trampled!’
Since the furore, Mr Walsh’s father, trainerTed Walsh, has compared Britain’s attitude on the issue to that in Ireland.
He said of the UK: ‘It’s a funny country. They can remember the names of horses that got blown up by the bombs in London but not the names of the people riding them.’
The British Horse racing Association has stressed that the welfare of horses is ‘paramount’ at races such as Cheltenham. “So I have to ask….why are they racing horses on flat or over jumps when the horses are not mentally & physically ready for such a task>”
A spokesman said: ‘Cheltenham Racecourseemploys eight veterinary surgeons, whose sole responsibility it is to provide care to the horses throughout their time at the racecourse.
‘In the event of an incident on the racecourse, any horse affected will receive immediate attention and treatment from the racecourse’s veterinary team.” I.E put them to sleep, because they can be fixed but wouldn’t be worth any money to the owners or syndicate if they are not bring the money home;plenty more being bred for this very reason!!!”
‘Qualified paramedics and doctors are also on hand in the case of any incident involving a jockey.
‘If necessary, horses and riders will be transported from the course to receive further treatment at the most appropriate equine hospital or Accident & Emergency hospital.
‘British Racing is open and transparent about the risks involved in the sport – the BHA Veterinary team monitors injury rates at every licensed racecourse. Over the last 15 years, the equine fatality rate has fallen by one third to 0.2 per cent of all runners. “OK, then go look at the Animal Aids ” Race Horse Death”? That will tell you exactly where, when & who was the jockey….I don’t know of any other site where I could get that information from!! http://www.horsedeathwatch.com/“
‘Despite the best efforts of all involved, as with participation in any sport involving speed and athleticism, there remains an inherent risk of injury.’
STOP PRESS: REPORTS OF THIRD HORSE DEAD AT CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
Posted 12 March 2014
A four-year-old horse, inexperienced over the jumps and ridden by a young, inexperienced jockey, became the second victim of the 2014 Cheltenham Festival. Akdam broke a foreleg racing in the 16.40 Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. On the Festival’s opening day (Tuesday), Our Conor suffered what turned out to be fatal spinal injuries in the Champion Hurdle race.Akdam was running in a hotly contested, crowded race, featuring 24 horses. His ‘conditional’ jockey, Josh Hamer, was up against leading riders including, AP McCoy, Tom Scudamore and Ruby Walsh.Akdam had been entered into 20 previous races, 11 of them hurdle events, the others on the flat or all-weather courses. In fact, he was bred to race on the flat but ended up at a very young age being put over jumps.Says Dene Stansall, Horseracing Consultant, Animal Aid:
‘Akdam died in a race that was rough messy and hazardous. No doubt racing’s apologists will offer yet another unconvincing excuse for why this horse suffered this violent end.
Stop press: It is reported this evening (Wednesday) that the Festival has claimed a third victim. Five-year-old Stack The Deck was destroyed after fracturing a knee in the 17.15 Champion Bumper.News Link:–http://www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/NEWS/news_horse/ALL/3066//
The dark side of horse racing
Uploaded on 25 Mar 2008
Most people regard horse racing as a harmless sport in which the animals are willing participants who thoroughly enjoy the thrill. The truth is that behind the scenes lies a story of immense suffering.
“Horses will continue to suffer if not properly restrained & the gun aimed at the right place, by someone trained to do so, for an instant death! The horses in this video were in open crates, outside, with no restraints etc. One horse actually has to be whipped to get it away from the horse in the kill pen, but when horses sense danger; they tend to stick with other horses. They are flight animals, just the sound of the gun would make them very skittish; they can smell fear & blood & being able to see their fellow horses killed straight in front of them is appalling! No horse is just going to stand there & not move its head around, i.e. no clean shot which means no instant death via a gun! . This place obviously has no empathy or respect; so let’s get the bastards closed down!”
ALLEGATIONS of inhumane slaughter of horses at a western suburbs knackery have sparked outrage and prompted the Melbourne and Werribee Open Range zoos to source horsemeat from other knackeries.
Secret footage shot by animal activists, the Coalition for Protection of Racehorses, and seen by Fairfax Media, shows several horses being killed at the Laverton Knackery, with at least one animal tied up and dragged along concrete while apparently still alive. The allegations are being investigated by the state’s meat regulator, PrimeSafe, as well as the RSPCA after Animals Australia – the group that uncovered cruelty to Australian cattle in Indonesia in 2011 – made a formal complaint.
Footage of a horse being dragged at Laverton Knackery
In a detailed letter to the Department of Primary Industries, Animals Australia claims dozens of breaches of animal cruelty, hygiene, welfare and meat industry laws, which could result in the cancellation or suspension of the business’ licence.
In one case, Animals Australia alleges a ”worker shot the horse twice, did not ensure the horse was dead, and then tied the horse to a tractor and dragged him across 60 metres of concrete and gravel after which he was found to still be breathing.
”The worker shot the horse again and the horse’s throat was then slit and the horse continued to make purposeful movements, paddling his legs and lifting his head off the ground until he eventually died.”
PrimeSafe chief executive Brian Casey said it would examine the potential breaches of the Pet Meat standard.
Mr Casey said horses are ”skittish” at the best of times but animals must always be handled and killed humanely.
Laverton Knackery did not wish to comment when contacted on Wednesday .
The RSPCA confirmed that is conducting an investigation into animal cruelty, after receiving a complaint in November.
Last week, Animals Australia showed the video to Melbourne and Werribee zoos director Kevin Tanner. ”Zoos Victoria has ceased all supply arrangements with Laverton Pet Supplies following the presentation of evidence from Animals Australia showing inhumane treatment of horses at their premise,” Mr Tanner said. He said Zoos Victoria was also reviewing all other meat supply arrangements for all its zoos, including Healesville Sanctuary, to ensure suppliers adhere to the organisation’s Animal Welfare commitments.
Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses campaign manager Elio Celotto said the group was ”absolutely unsurprised” at the vision its activist captured.
”Primesafe, in my opinion, are not doing their job, these horses deserve to be treated with dignity,” Mr Celotto said.
Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh said he would closely monitor the investigations.
”Cruelty to animals will not be tolerated,” Mr Walsh said. ”Animal handling facilities that do not adhere to the rules and regulations regarding animal welfare can expect to face prosecution and have their operation licences cancelled.” “It’s no good just saying it, Welsh needs to act & prosecute all who do not adhere to rules & regulations; but then would lead to around 90% of slaughterhouses needing prosecutions!”
The allegations come amid renewed pressure on Australia’s live export trade after footage of cruelty to Australian cattle in Israeli abattoirs was screened on the ABC’s 7.30 on Tuesday night.
The new claims have again prompted calls from the Greens, independent Andrew Wilkie and some in the Labor caucus for the trade to be shut down or for tougher scrutiny by regulators.
“THIS IS A DIFFICULT SUBJECT for me to discuss. I own horses & understand that due to overpopulation, lack of food or abandonment etc. it is causing welfare problems. Charities can’t protect every horse in need of a home, they will simply never have enough funds to protect them all. God…I wish they could, I hate to see horses or any animal for that matter suffer, no animal lover would want an animal to suffer unnecessarily. So to prevent this, if there is no other way possible to save them, I would prefer they were put out of their misery; in the kindest way possible & cremated. Horses die from disease, injury or just old age & their bodies have to be dealt with whatever the circumstance.
“If owners are not permitted to dispose of the body themselves on their own land, which most aren’t; then the body (no matter how loved) has to be dealt with! I dread the day one of my horses dies or has to be put to sleep, but I don’t have land to bury them on or the required permission…it would literally break my heart, but I will have no option but to still call the knacker man (for want of a better word) to cremate the body & return the ashes to me, so I can do with them as I wish.”
“WHAT I OPPOSE is the use of slaughterhouses TO KILL HEALTHY, ILL & ABUSED HORSES FOR FOOD & PROFIT! This planet already kills way too many animals to feed the population, some in the most barbaric, cheapest & despicable ways, with rife abuse & cruelty: which is why I don’t eat animals. Those who don’t own horses but own dogs, would find the practice of a slaughterhouse for dogs horrific & wouldn’t stand for it! Just as it is with horse owners/lovers… HORSES DO NOT BELONG ON THE MENU in this century or the next. By all means their bodies have to be dealt with…BUT NO HORSE SHOULD END UP ON A PLATE! Killing horses for their meat & profit alone is not justified; THOSE WHO WISH TO KILL HORSES FOR FOOD, ARE IN IT FOR THE MONEY, PURE GREED ALONE & IT IS THEY WHO SHOULD BE BANNED!!”
A federal appeals court on Friday removed a temporary ban on domestic horse slaughter, clearing the way for companies in New Mexico, Missouri and Iowa to open while an appeal of a lawsuit by animal protection groups proceeds.
The appeals court’s order Friday said the groups had “failed to meet their burden for an injunction pending appeal.”
Blair Dunn, an attorney for Valley Meat and Rains Natural Meats, said the order lifts the emergency status of the case, meaning it will likely be months before a final decision is issued.
Dunn said the plants are ready to open, although they could agree to remain shuttered if the plaintiffs agree to post a sufficient bond to cover the companies’ losses should they ultimately prevail.
“They are getting ready to go as quickly as they can. It shouldn’t take too long. Not more than two weeks,” he said.
The Humane Society, however, said “the fight for America‘s horses is not over.”
“We will press for a quick resolution of the merits of our claims in the 10th Circuit,” said Jonathan R. Lovvorn, the group’s senior vice president of animal protection litigation and investigations.
The plants would become the first horse slaughterhouses to operate in the U.S. since 2007. Congress effectively banned horse slaughter by eliminating funding for inspections at the plants in 2006. It restored that funding in 2011, but the USDA did not approve the first permits for horse slaughterhouses until this summer.
The issue has divided horse rescue and animal welfare groups, ranchers, politicians and Indian tribes about what is the most humane way to deal with the country’s horse overpopulation, and what rescue groups have said are a rising number of neglected and starving horses as the West deals with persistent drought.
Valley Meat and Responsible Transportation were set to begin horse slaughter operations in August, but U.S. District Judge Christina Armijo blocked their plans while she heard the lawsuit by The Humane Society of the United States, Front Range Equine Rescue and others. The groups claimed the plants should have been forced to undergo environmental reviews under provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act.
Responsible Transportation abandoned its horse slaughter plans and converted its plant to cattle before Armijo dismissed the lawsuit in November.
Attorneys for the plants have argued that the plaintiffs are simply in court because they are morally opposed to horse slaughter and are looking for a way to delay the plants while they lobby Congress for a ban.
Proponents of a return to domestic horse slaughter point to a 2011 report from the federal Government Accountability Office that shows horse abuse and abandonment have increased since domestic horse slaughter was banned. They say it is better to slaughter the animals in humane, federally regulated facilities than have them abandoned to starve across the drought-stricken West or shipped to inhumane facilities in Mexico.
Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, calls the practice barbaric and has said blocking a return to domestic horse “is an issue of national importance and scale.”
“PLEASE NOTE – GRAPHIC IMAGES OF HORSE TRAILER ACCIDENTS – AT THE END OF THIS POST. Do not scroll down the post if you do not want to see them! They are just one of many reasons why these companion animals should not be slaughtered for human consumption; would you think it ok to send your family pet dog to slaughter? Horses were not put on Gods green earth for humans to eat, they are our pets; just as much as cats & dogs are!”
“It is pure greed, FFS we slaughter enough animals to satisfy the human hunger for meat. Nobody is going to starve, horses are not part of a normal persons diet. I am totally sickened & disgusted that this heinous act, the killing of Gods noble most beautiful creatures; is once more going to be in action!! I can only hope & pray that those who want to eat any part of a horse, after all the health scares etc. suffer a miserable & painful existence!! PLEASE sign the petitions”
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A New Mexico meat plant received federal approval on Friday to slaughter horses for meat, a move that drew immediate opposition from animal rights group and will likely be opposed by the White House.
The U.S. Agriculture Department said it was required by law to issue a “grant of inspection” to Valley Meat Co, Roswell, New Mexico, because it had met all federal requirements. Now, the USDA is obliged to assign meat inspectors to the plant.
The USDA also said it may soon issue similar grants for plants in Missouri and Iowa.
NO HORSE SHOULD END UP ON THE END OF A BUTCHERS HOOK!!
Horse meat cannot be sold as food in theUnited States, but it can be exported. Attempts to reach Valley Meat Co via a number listed on-line were unsuccessful.
Valley Meat would be the first meat plant to be allowed to slaughter horses since Congress banned it in 2006.
It is not known when the plant will start production, but two bills in Congress want to ban horse slaughter and President Obama has asked Congress to ban it.
The Humane Society of the United States and Front Range Equine Rescuethreatened on Friday to sue the USDA, saying horses are raised as pets and as working animals. Because they are not intended as food animals, horses are given medications banned from other livestock, the groups said, questioning if the meat would be safe.
The USDA says it can test for residues of 130 pesticide and veterinary drugs. It also has safeguards to keep horse meat out of the food supply.
Congress effectively banned horse slaughter in 2006 by saying the USDA could not spend any money to inspect horse plants. Without USDA inspection, meat plants cannot operate.
The ban was part of the annual USDA funding bill and was renewed a year at a time through 2011. The prohibition expired in October 2011.
Lawmakers could vote on reinstating the ban in coming weeks when the USDA appropriations bills are debated in the House and Senate. But no date has been set to consider the bills and it could be months before work is completed.
The USDA said it was required by law to issue the grant of inspection because Valley Meat met all federal requirements. At one point, the company sued the USDA for an overly long review of its application. Once it issues a grant of inspection, the USDA is obliged to assign meat inspectors to a meat plant.
“Until Congress acts, the department must comply with current law,” said a USDA spokeswoman.
Valley Meat retrofitted its plant for horses after drought weakened its cattle slaughter business.
Horse meat is sold for human consumption in China, Russia, Mexico and other foreign nations and is sometimes used as feed for zoo animals.
But in the United States, horses enjoy a higher stature, more akin to house pets, than to hogs, cattle and chickens.
An estimated 130,000 U.S. horses are shipped annually to slaughter in Canada and Mexico. Groups have quarreled for a decade whether a ban on slaughter will save horses from a cruel death or lead to abandonment by owners of animals they cannot afford to feed or treat for illness.
Early this year, regulators discovered that horse meat was being sold as beef in Ireland. The mislabelled meat was found in meatballs sold by Swedish retailer IKEA in much of Europe and in other outlets.
IF YOU SCROLL FURTHER – GRAPHIC IMAGES ARE BELOW – VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED
USDA conducts tests on domestic and imported products to identify the species that yielded the meat. The tests can distinguish beef, sheep, swine, poultry, deer and horse.
As well, USDA stepped up its species testing in April because of the meat adulteration scandal in Europe.
(Reporting By Charles Abbott; Editing by Bernard Orr)
“Please note this has been translated from Spanish”
The debate over bullfighting has come to Massachusetts (USA). The newspaper ‘The Boston Globe‘ has one devoted to publishing in which charges the “grotesque spectacle” , praised the veto imposed on the run in Catalonia and the Canary Islands and suggests that Spain should disappear this tradition.
The bullfighter Manuel Jesus ‘El Cid’, in Las Ventas, on May 22. JuanJo Martin | Reuters
In his editorial, ‘The Boston Globe’ considered, noting the drop in the number of runs and the decline of the Spanish fans for the bulls, that currently “there is no romance or honor” on the run.The paper notes that there is a “fight” but “torture an animal to enjoy the mass”. And remember that even a declared admirer of the bulls as the American writer Ernest Hemingway was “honest enough” to recognize that what fascinated him the party was “the spectacle of death”.
“THE TIME HAS PASSED BULLS”
The journal welcomes Spanish that increasingly reject “as entertainment” and stresses that the parliaments of Catalonia and the Canary Islands banned bullfighting and that these are no longer issued on public television.
By contrast, notes that the Spanish Government declare bulls weigh cultural interest . Given this possibility, the newspaper of Boston takes sides and nostalgic suggests that the bulls should “accept the reality”, which in the opinion of the newspaper is that “the bulls are inhumane and their time has passed.” “Spain’s contributions to Western culture have been many glorious, but the grotesque spectacle of torturing bulls to death for amusement is not one of them,” he concludes. “Well said, its way past time this horrific spectacle of killing for fun & family entertainment; be banned altogether!”
The Mexican state of Sonora, this week Became the first state in the country to ban bullfighting after the approval of a law against cruelty to animals, however I, cockfighting is still not banned Because its popularity.
“It Caused quite a stir Because we are the first state in the country to pass this law. I really did not expect it, and I Say This With All honesty, I did not know how the national and international reaction and impact it was going to have, “said Local congressman of Mexico’sGreen Party (PVEM), Vernon Perez Rubio.
On the radio station Formato 21, Perez welcomed the decision taken last May 2 by the Congress of Sonora, who unanimously voted for the approval of the Law for the Protection of Animals.
“It is a That law contains 72 articles, all very important for the coexistence Between animals and humans,” added the coordinator of the Green Party (PVEM).
This political party said in a statement Also That the law “not only prohibits bullfighting”, but “also Protects other domestic animals.”
Based on several surveys, the Green Party That Also factotum believes “clearly more than 70% of Mexicans are against the continuation of bullfighting in the country.”
The protest against bullfighting acerca came two years ago in Sonora, When an event was held before 18,200 people in a stadium for a ban of These events, Explained Perez.
This new legislation That is supported by five social civil organizaciones has sparked some criticism, Because on one hand it prohibits the abused, martyred, mutilation, abandonment, and deliberate killing of domestic Animals with penalties That Range from “ends” to “arrests” but it excludes cockfighting.
DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS BLOG - SOME PICTURES & VIDEOS CAN & WILL BE VERY GRAPHIC - SO PLEASE, VIEW THIS BLOG AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
You can find out more about me & this blog by reading "ABOUT THIS BLOG" on the menu (when i finish it) lol
PLEASE NOTE.....
Not all of my posts will be current news, or even about animal abuse! I do like to share other animal news, uplifting stories or videos; some that are funny or just touch the heart!
If I have anything to say on any post, you will see it in bold blue writing. I try to remain a lady, but it's hard to contain my anger & emotions at the some of the stories I post; I don’t have a heart of stone, tears stain many articles I write!
Lastly, my apologies for any errors; I am learning whilst posting, so if you find anything that doesn't work or a broken link, sorry, I'm only human!!!!
ABOUT THESE POSTS
I would just like to make readers aware, that I search for stories on the internet; regards animal abuse etc. I copy stories etc. from the internet; assuming these stories are correct at time of publishing. Having said that, sometimes the press get it wrong! So I just want to add that at the time of me posting a news story, I presume all the facts seem present & correct.
Please note....all people mentioned in this blog, are presumed innocent, until proven otherwise, in a court of law.
Error: Please make sure the Twitter account is public.
Flag Counter Added May 2012
Face Book – Please Take Notice
For anyone wishing to connect to me via my Facebook page...PLEASE NOTE, ONLY PEOPLE I ADD AS ANIMAL ADVOCATES CAN SEE MY WHOLE PAGE...I do this out of respect for those friends I have who do not wish to see graphic images, videos or links of animal abuse!
As 99% of my page is animal related; anyone not in the above group of friends; will only see a limited amount of posts!!
DUE TO ANIMAL HATERS...I WILL ONLY ADD PEOPLE WHO CAN PROVE WHO THEY ARE via Facebook, Wordpress, Twitter etc. & WHO HAVE A GENUINE INTEREST IN ANIMAL WELFARE... i.e. if your Facebook page has absolutely nothing to do with animals, I see no point in joining my page. My Facebook is solely for animal welfare, I am not interested in playing games etc. I don't mean to sound rude but I am not interested in the amount of friends I have, its the quality of those friends that count.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND REQUESTS FOR YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN. I do not want anyone to be upset by graphic images etc.
My aim is to educate & raise awareness to the horrors animals face, at the hands of humans, every day, around the world!!
We can not hope to achieve better laws, to protect animals, unless we unite as one, to speak up for those who are voiceless!!
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DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS BLOG - SOME PICTURES & VIDEOS CAN & WILL BE VERY GRAPHIC - SO PLEASE, VIEW THIS BLOG AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
STOP ANIMAL ABUSE 
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