Like Illinois, Rhode Island is considering a bill that would ban the transport of horses in double decked trailers.  But the committee considering the bill, the Rhode Island Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture, has decided to hold the bill, S. 2566, for further study.

Under this bill a violation on the first offense would be a fine of $500 per animal and $1000 per animal for second and subsequent offenses.   

Click here for a copy of the bill.

These double decked trailers are used to haul horses to Mexico or Canada to slaughter. The horses suffer terribly during these transports. The horses are crowded into these trailers in which they can't even raise their heads at all or stand comfortably. They are held on these trailers in this way for more than 24 hours at a time without food or water. Many suffer serious injuries during these arduous journeys to slaughter and are trampled and even killed.

The USDA has issued a regulation banning the use of double decked trailers. 9 CFR 88.3 But the USDA has said it does not have the resources to enforce the regulation, giving the industry a virtual green light to continue using double decked trailers to haul horses to slaughter.  It is important for the states to take action to stop this.  

Click here for more on the Illinois bill to ban use of double decked trailers to haul horses.

What You Can Do

Write or call members of the Rhode Island Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture, listed below, and urge them to vote yes on S. 2566.  

Also, contact Rhode Island state senators and urge them to vote to ban the use in the state of double decked trailers to haul horses. Click here to find Rhode Island state senators.