Kentuckians Feel Strongly About Horse Slaughter According to Pacelle

Slaughter of horses denounced
HUMANE SOCIETY CHIEF CITES SENDING MEAT OVERSEAS FOR HUMAN FOOD
By Jack Brammer
HERALD-LEADER FRANKFORT BUREAU

"Wayne Pacelle shares with many Kentuckians a strong affection for horses with their strength and beauty.

But in his line of work, Pacelle often confronts a seamy side of the horse business: their slaughter for human consumption overseas...

'He said interest is strong in Kentucky, particularly in the Lexington area, to "stop the terrible and utterly unnecessary practice" of slaughtering horses.

'No one raises horses for slaughter, but they are acquired at auctions from what we call 'killer buyers.' They show up in Kentucky, trying to get ex-racing horses, pets or whatever they can for human consumption.'

Each year, about 90,000 horses are slaughtered in three U.S.-based plants -- one in Illinois and two in Texas -- and exported principally to France, Belgium and Japan for human consumption, Pacelle said.

Horse meat is not sold for human consumption in this country, he said.

'Killer buyers show up in Kentucky, wherever there is an abundance of horses,' Pacelle said. 'They go to auctions and do the bidding for the slaughterhouses.'" [READ MORE...]