[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 154 (Friday, September 29, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   SUPPORT HUMANE TREATMENT OF HORSES

                                 ______


                        HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 1995

  Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the ``Safe 
Commercial Transportation of Horses for Slaughter Act of 1995.'' This 
legislation would improve the handling care and equipment requirement 
for the safe transportation of horses for slaughter. Similar 
legislation has been introduced in the Senate.
  Last year, I was stunned by an article in Equidae, the National 
Horseman's Inc., publication, that exposed the inhumane treatment of 
horses transported for slaughter. Imagine injured, pregnant, and ill 
horses crammed into cattle cars with combative stallions and other 
horses to be shipped on long journeys to slaughterhouses with no 
dividers separating them. For those of you who are not horse 
enthusiasts, it's like putting a fox in a hen house. As a thoroughbred 
owner, I find this appalling. Many including myself, consider horses to 
be a part of their families like a dog or cat. Can you imagine this 
treatment to Fido or Fluffy? I think not.
  I recently met with Kelly Young and Nancy Waite from my district and 
Trina Bellak of the Humane Society of the United States about this 
matter. On a recent trip to a horse auction in New Holland, PA, they 
described the horrible conditions to which these horses are subjected. 
One mare was found so ill, she lay trembling on the floor of a trailer. 
An attendant attempted to rescue it, but, unfortunately, was too late. 
The mare had to be put down. The tragedy is that had she not found this 
horse, it would have been thrown into a trailer with dozens of other 
horses, and most likely would have died from overcrowding.
  However, what is even more repugnant is that an individual from New 
York, an attendant at the auction, has been convicted of violating 150 
counts of New York's State law regulating horse transport. He has 
accumulated fines amounting to $11,000 and has yet to pay them. 
Meanwhile, horses continue to be transported in vehicles with ceilings 
too low for their height. Pregnant mares, new born foals, rambunctious 
stallions, and injured horses continue to be packed together, often 
without food or water for days.
  Mr. Speaker, my legislation would give the Secretary of Agriculture 
the authority to ensure that protections are in place to prevent these 
horrendous practices that occur during the transport of horses for 
slaughter. This legislation makes no attempt to outlaw the slaughter 
industry, but rather protect horses from unnecessary pain and 
suffering.
  This bill would require horses to be rested and provided food and 
water after traveling no longer than 24 hours; vehicles would be 
required to be in sanitary condition and provide at least 6 feet, 6 
inches of headroom; provide adequate ventilation and shelter from 
extreme heat and cold; be of appropriate size for the number of horses 
transported; allow for position of horses by size, and separation of 
stallions; provide for veterinarians to determine if horses are able to 
withstand stress of transportation.
  Several States have passed legislation similar to this bill. However, 
because this is an interstate industry, it is necessary to have a 
uniform Federal law. My bill has the full support of the American Horse 
Council, the American Horse Protection Association, and the Humane 
Society of the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this legislation which 
is specifically geared toward providing horses adequate protection 
during transportation for slaughter. I plead with all animal 
enthusiasts to support this bill.

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