New York's Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick  wants to make sure not only is the slaughter of horses for human consumption illegal in that state, but also that horsemeat or flesh does not come into or pass through the state for that purpose.

Several resolutions and bills have been introduced in state legislatures in support of horse slaughter.  So it is good to see a state legislature taking up a bill that reflects what most Americans think: Horse slaughter is a seedy, barbaric and horrifically cruel practice that should be outlawed.

This bill, A.B. 3736 would make it illegal to slaughter horses if there is a reason to believe the horse will be used for human consumption. The new law would also prohibit any person from "selling, bartering, giving away, purchasing, possessing, transporting, delivering or receiving horseflesh" in the state.

A violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1000 fine. Civil penalties can also apply and can mean a fine up to $1000 for individuals and $5,000 for a corporation for a first offense and $25,000 for subsequent offenses. 

As justification sponsors have stated, "Pet horses, work horses, racehorses and even wild horses go to slaughter. Most arrive at the slaughterhouse via livestock auctions where, often unknown to the seller, they are bought by middlemen working for the slaughter plants. These so-called "killer buyers" travel from one auction to the next collecting young, old, sick and healthy animals until their trucks are full. Some are shipped for more than 24 hours at a time without food, water or rest, and suffer horribly along the way.

"Callous treatment of horses at the slaughterhouse often results in their prolonged suffering. Panicked horses are prodded and beaten off the truck and into the kill-chute. The improper use of stunning equipment, designed to render the animal unconscious with a swift shot to the head, means that horses sometimes endure repeated blows and remain conscious during their own slaughter. This bill would ensure that such cruelty and blatant disregard of one of America's most
majestic and noble creatures will no longer be tolerated in New York State."

Horse slaughter for human consumption cannot be legally done in the U.S. A federal bill, H.R. 503, pending in Congress, would stop the export of American horses to other countries, usually Mexico or Canada, for slaughter for human consumption and ensure this corrupt, cruel practice could never resume in this country.

Not only is horse slaughter animal torture and cruelty, it has been detrimental to the communities where slaughtering facilities have been located, with significant negative impacts to these communities ranging from nuisance odors to chronic sewer and environmental violations. Horse slaughter has also been found to increase and abet horse theft. When California banned horse slaughter in 1998, horse theft actually declined up to 88%.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Here is a copy of the bill.  Contact Assembly Agriculture Committee members here and urge them to vote yes on A.B. 3736. If you live in New York, go here to find your Assembly member and also find all Assembly members, and write or call and urge them to support this legislation.

Write or call your U.S. representative and senators found here and urge them to support H.R. 503 to end the slaughter of American horses for human consumption.