Wild horse lovers take note of Rep. Allen Boyd's letter to me - and he's a Democrat up for election

I appreciate you taking the opportunity to contact my office to share your thoughts on H.R. 503, the American Horse Slaughter Act. It is always nice to hear from the people of North Florida.

I agree with you that horses are some of nature's most magnificent animals. Over time, man has learned to live together with horses, and at one point in history, horses were one of a person's most important possessions. They served a number of purposes, including the important role of companionship. While we no longer use horses the way we once did, these beloved animals can still provide the same loyalty and companionship that our ancestors enjoyed.

H.R. 503 would amend the Horse Protection Act to prohibit the shipping, transporting, receiving, possessing, and purchasing of horses to be slaughtered for human consumption. In the past, I have had serious concerns about this legislation because of statements by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). Both of these groups stated that there are already large numbers of unwanted horses and that current rescue facilities would not be able to adequately care for the additional 110,000 horses a year which are currently exported for slaughter or slaughtered domestically. Given this large number, and the fact that studies have shown that caring for an unwanted horse can cost up to $2,300 a year, even the proponents of H.R. 503 concede that many of the horses in question will simply be sent to rendering plants and slaughtered there, instead of being slaughtered for human consumption.

Having horses slaughtered for use in industrial products instead of being slaughtered for human consumption does not represent a victory for horses or those who care about them. In addition, it would also impose a cost on horse owners because rendering plants charge to remove the animal while slaughter plants do not. This is why I do not support H.R. 503.

While we disagree on this issue, I hope that you will continue to stay in touch with my office on other matters of importance to you in the future.

Sincerely,

F. Allen Boyd, Jr.
Member of Congress

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