Photo by Meg Frederick
Return to Freedom recently joined animal welfare and equine industry groups to pen a letter to key congressional leaders in support of the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act (H.R. 3475/S. 2037).
The bill would permanently ban horse slaughter in the United States as well as the export of American horses to other countries for slaughter.
In the letter to Sens. Debbie Stabenow and John Boozman, the chair and ranking member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, and Reps. G.T. Thompson and David Scott, the chair and ranking member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, the groups strongly urged that the SAFE Act be included in the upcoming Farm Bill.
Read the full letter and take action below.
Dear Chair Stabenow, Chair Thompson, Ranking Member Boozman, and Ranking Member Scott:
We have come together to collectively and respectfully urge you to include the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act (H.R. 3475/S. 2037) in the upcoming Farm Bill in order to protect the equine community in the United States. The funneling of American horses to slaughter for human consumption abroad is causing significant harm to the equine industry, adoption and rescue organizations, horse owners and enthusiasts, and the horses themselves. We all share the goal of advancing equine welfare and we believe this is the right moment for Congress to act to bring an end to what has been a sad chapter of American history allowing the cruel slaughter of our horses.
We have joined forces as The Final Stretch Alliance to End Horse Slaughter – an innovative effort by equine industry and animal welfare organizations to propel a ban on horse slaughter. Racing industry groups have already demonstrated real leadership in committing resources for aftercare and career transition programs, instituting and enforcing track policies against sale to slaughter, and spearheading state and federal policies prohibiting horse slaughter. These programs are critical, but it is clear that until the law shuts down the slaughter pipeline itself, no horse, no matter how beloved or decorated, will be truly safe. For this reason, we call on Congress to pass the SAFE Act now.
Horses have not been slaughtered in this country since 2007 thanks to longstanding Congressional action to ensure that no federal funds are used to enable domestic slaughter. Enacting a permanent, comprehensive ban on this unnecessary and harmful practice is consistent with the will of Congress. The American public also overwhelmingly opposes horse slaughter and wants to see our nation’s equines protected and treated humanely. Recent polling found that a massive bipartisan majority – 83% of Americans – opposes horse slaughter. Export for slaughter has been diminishing, but thousands of equines still continue to be shipped across our borders each year for this purpose while this broadly supported, commonsense legislation languishes.
We are proud of the equine community’s leadership in developing retraining and rehoming programs for horses and establishing safety-net services for horse owners in need. We are doing our part, but without action from Congress, we are fighting a losing battle. Congress must close the loophole that allows our nation’s horses to slip through the cracks. For the sake of our horses, their owners, and the health and well-being of the equine industry itself, Congress must take the crucial step to end this unnecessary and harmful practice for good. Please use this opportunity to include the SAFE Act in the Farm Bill – our future is counting on it.
Thank you for your consideration of this important issue. We stand ready to help.
Sincerely,
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Animal Welfare Institute
Craig Bernick, Glen Hill Farm
Michael Blowen, Old Friends Equine
Breeders’ Cup
Larry Collmus, NBC’s Voice of Triple Crown
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Trevor Denman, Del Mar Racetrack announcer
Bo Derek, Actor/Equine Advocate
Dennis Drazin, Chairman/CEO Monmouth Park
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners – Blue Moon Aftercare
Dr. Barrie Grant, Equine veterinarian
The Humane Society of the United States
Humane Society Legislative Fund
Julie Krone, Hall of Fame Jockey
Richard Mandella, Hall of Fame Trainer
Maryland Horse Council
Graham Motion, Kentucky Derby winning trainer
Chris McCarron, Hall of Fame Jockey
New York Racing Association
Laffit Pincay, Jr., Hall of Fame Jockey
Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation
Mike Smith, Hall of Fame Jockey
Gary Stevens, Hall of Fame Jockey
Stronach Group
Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association
The Jockey Club
Jockey’s Guild
U.S. Trotting Association Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority
United States Harness Racing Alumni Association
TAKE ACTION
Urge your representative to support the SAFE Act to permanently ban horse slaughter and the export of American horses for slaughter. Send a letter to Congress.