Horse Slaughter is a Humane Option for Abandoned Animals
Published
12/3/2008
At the same time, no one is arguing that horses should not be euthanized, when sickness, old age or infirmity requires it, but when we stopped U.S. slaughter we pulled the rug from the economics. The radical ban has not been good for the horse, the horse owner and the entire horse industry. It is time for states and congress to rethink this issue before more horses suffer abuse.
Editor's Note: Below is a commentary from a volunteer for an Equine Rescue Organization in Texas who responded to this editorial.
Like Mr. Rogers, I am a horse lover/owner.
I am also an active volunteer for an equine rescue organization here in Texas, and am forced to agree that the equine slaughter houses have a place in our culture. Most equine rescues are full to capacity, due to economics. Add to that drought situations in the South and we are looking at some serious potential for our horse population.
Those who are able to properly care for their horses are having to pay horrendous prices to do so. Is undoubtedly a supply and demand dilemma mixed in with a little old fashioned greed, but the cost is increasing daily to keep a horse fed daily. This number is noticeably dwindling and many are looking for options for winter care, assuming they survive the heat.
People are already having to choose who to feed i.e.: their kids or their animals. Hamburger or hay? This is not a new problem. It is however a huge problem when you consider that, unlike small animal facilities, equine humane societies/rescues are not so readily available and most are too full to accept donated animals.
People are forced to keep animals they can't care for, and become criminals by default when the animals condition declines. What are they to do? The fact that they can't afford the food that would prevent the issue tells me that they surely can not pay the cost of euthanasia/disposal, which is generally around $200.00 - $300.00 per horse.
"Dumping" is becoming as common to horses as it has always been for dogs (rurally), and is dangerous for all concerned. It is a painful decision people find themselves making when they can't even give the animal away. They are not criminals, they are struggling. Horse owners need an option that would be both humane and legal.
I am no fan of slaughter for profit, I assure you. I am a realist. We all must recognize that it is far more humane to euthanize an animal, any animal, rather than to allow it to die the slow, confusing, painful death of starvation.
Though I do not know when the article was written, he failed to point out this significant factor in the argument to open (keep open?) the equine slaughter facility in Arizona.
Luck to Mr. K. Rogers in his efforts.
With all Sincerity,
D. H.
Whitney, Tx. Horse Slaughter is a Humane Option for Abandoned Animals