Legislation Could Be Fast-Tracked After Wild Horse Slaughter

Lawmakers hope to save wild horses
By Benjamin Grove , SUN WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON -- The recent slaughter of wild horses sold by the federal government should give momentum to new legislation that would halt the killing of animals that many consider to be an icon of the American West, Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., said.

...Ensign next month plans to introduce a bill that would ban slaughter of horses for human consumption, Ensign said. A similar bill has been introduced in the House...

The Humane Society of the United States has been flooded with calls, pleading with the group to save the wild horses, said Nancy Perry, vice president of governmental affairs.

"This has been an un-American experience these last few weeks, few months," Perry said today. "Our deep concern has turned to outrage and frustration."

Another House bill would essentially repeal legislation passed in November. That legislation, championed by Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., directed the Bureau of Land Management to sell horses that are at least 10 years old or horses that were not being adopted. That left open the possibility that horses could end up in one of three U.S. slaughter houses where animals are killed for meat that is shipped overseas.

Bureau of Land Management officials this week announced that 35 horses sold by the BLM under the new law had been slaughtered at the Cavel International Inc. plant in Illinois. Another six were slaughtered at the same plant earlier this month.

"This is what people were fearing would happen," Ensign said.

The Interior Department this week halted the delivery of horses to buyers, pending a review of federal rules that requires the department to treat the animals humanely.

Now lawmakers are seeking to fast-track legislation to stop horse slaughter...[READ ENTIRE ARTICLE]