WASHINGTON, JULY 25, 2006 - "As someone who is from Ocala, Florida -- horse country -- I can understand the emotion that runs deep with an issue that not only represents our responsibility to care for our animals properly and with humanity, but truly captures a culture and way of living that is uniquely American," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Chairman of the Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee at the start of the hearing. The subcommittee heard testimony on H.R. 503, the Horse Protection Act, which would ban the trade and slaughter of horses for human consumption.
Witnesses presented contrasting views on H.R. 503, as well as on the humane treatment of horses. Dr. Patricia Hogan, an equine veterinary surgeon, stated that the practice is inhumane, "Horse slaughter is NOT euthanasia by anyone's definition. Euthanasia is a peaceful process that most commonly involves the overdose of an intravenous anesthetic drug administered by a veterinarian. Horse slaughter uses a method called the captive-bolt which involves aiming a bolt gun at the forehead of a partially restrained horse."
Bonnie Beaver, DVM, Past President of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), made the opposite point. She testified, "The AVMA convened a panel of experts, veterinarians and scientists, which I chaired, to evaluate what was known about chemical and physical euthanasia methods. In that panel's report, euthanasia is defined as a 'humane death' in which unconsciousness is rapid and followed by the cessation of vital functions. The report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia recommends two types of euthanasia for horses - an overdose of barbiturate anesthetic and the use of a penetrating captive-bolt gun with appropriate head restraint."
Douglas G. Corey, DVM, President -Elect American Association of Equine Practitioners, addressed the issue of unwanted horses. He stated, "While H.R. 503 and its supporters are well intentioned, the passage of this legislation, without adequate funding for an infrastructure in place to care for unwanted horses it will create a series of unintended consequences that negatively impact the health and welfare of the horse." Dr. Beaver also hit on this point, "Currently, horse rescue and retirement facilities in the United States have a maximum capacity of about 6000 horses. It would be a daunting, and probably impossible, task to create facilities that could house an additional 10 times that number of horses every year."
T. Boone Pickens, CEO of BP Capital, noted, "According to the USDA, nearly all of the thoroughbreds, Arabians, quarter horses and wild mustangs arriving at these plants are healthy young horses that are in 'good to excellent condition.'"
"I commend you all for your strong beliefs and passion to do what is right and just - protecting and treating horses humanely," concluded Stearns. "This hearing gave us the opportunity to better understand what the bill could mean for the financial obligations involved in caring for additional horses, for closing plants, or for supporting better and more humane ways of euthanizing unwanted and abandoned animals." The full Energy & Commerce Committee is scheduled to consider H.R. 503 on Wednesday, July 26th.
For Further Information Please Contact Paul Flusche at 202-225-5744 or Email.
