In a Dec. 5 vote, the Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) Board of Directors took a stance against the passage of Senate Bill #1915 (H.R. 503), the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.
This bill proposes amending the Horse Protection Act to prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption, and for other purposes.
“ApHC agrees with other oppostition groups that believe this legislation sets a dangerous precedent by banning a livestock product for reasons other than food safety or public health,” says ApHC President Dennis Dean.
The ApHC supports its position by arguing that some owners of unwanted horses want to recapture value out of their animal and, without the ability to make some money back at auction, some owners will not spend money to have animals euthanized. The organization contends that unwanted horses could be neglected or abandoned.
The ApHC position counters that of the majority (263) in the House of Representatives last year who voted in favor of passing the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act; the legislative session ended before the Senate was able to vote on the bill. The bill is planned to be reintroduced this year with the new session of Congress.