Humane Society Uncovers Downer Cows! Where was the USDA?

I tip my hat to the Humane Society for bringing the downer cows issue to the attention of the authorities.   The USDA has to be and should be embarrassed.   I was particularly intrigued with the quote in the newspaper “USDA inspectors are there at slaughterhouses continuously.”  OK, where were they when this was going on?

It is sad that the Humane Society had to bring this issue to light.  The checks and balances in the process are obviously broken.  The workers, the supervisors and the plant manager should be called on the carpet and those directly responsible should be dealt with through the legal system.  Where were the co-workers?  Where was the USDA inspector? 

This is the problem through out our great nation.  Too many have turned aside too often.  We don’t think we should make it our business.   We turn a deaf ear and blind eye to the atrocious going on all around us.   We don’t want to get involved.

The video of this was shown on newscasts and the internet up to 2 weeks ahead of the USDA’s announcement.  Does this mean the USDA is severly understaffed or not willing to do anything until it becomes a national uproar?  I don’t know that answer and I’m not going to assume I know their situation but it makes one ponder what IS going on.

We could be force feed a vegetarian life style if we don’t get this worked out quickly.   The horse slaughterhouses were shut down instead of fixed – don’t take any of this too lightly.    Don’t pass it off, don’t think it’s an isolated incident, don’t assume someone else will step up and demand changes because those changes may not be what you expect.

Again, I tip my hat to the Humane Society.  I’m ashamed it was left up to you to do the “dirty” work.     

Horse Slaughter campaign targets Children

A chat about the Horse Slaughter Bill brought up the story that a youngster who had received an information packet from the Doris Day Animal League. 

A 9 year old had been pictured on the front page of the local paper after winning her class during the state horse show competition.  Her father assumes this is where the mailing information came from.

I know there are rotten apples in almost every barrel.  With the media attention this subject has gotten why would anyone need to target a 9 year old?  How would you feel if your child or grandchild received graphic detailed information through the mail on any subject? 

I will chalk this one up to that “one bad apple in the barrel” and expect both pro and con horse slaughter groups to present their information in an appropriate adult manner.

Farm Animal Welfare

Get off your duff America!   We are on a downward spiral!  Farm Animal Welfare is an issue that is at our doorstop now.

We have got to clean up the farm animal industry or it will be done for us.  The Horse Slaughter bill is just a stepping stone.  Once the slaughter houses were closed here, the next target was stopping the slaughter industry income completely.  The US can not stop another country from eating horse-meat, but legislation proposed can stop our ability to participate in that economy.  

If you think it will stop with horses you are living in the dark.  Check the on-line videos and you will see where farm animal welfare is all headed next.   Ignore the issue and you will wake up with no livelihood. 

Yes, there are problems in the farm animal husbandry and slaughter industry.  That’s where we need solutions not an eradication of the industry.

I challenge you to comment and/or email with solution. -  realistic, workable and humane!

Horse Slaughter Supporters

It only take a few nasty people to leave a certain bad taste in your mouth.    Being new to bogging, I did not know comments by others would not automatically post.   THANK GOODNESS!

I have not retaliated, I have not posted comments on any of the Pro Horse Slaughter blogs because even if I don’t agree, they are entitled to their opinion.  I am going to delete the nasty emails I have received.  I am not going to bash ALL pro slaughter supporters because a small handful were rude.  

Being raised in the country and  learning about life and death on the farm probably caused me to have a different perspective than some.  As a child, I came to the understanding that animals sometimes decomposed in the field, others were buried to decompose and enrich the soil, and sometimes they were picked up by a rendering service.  I thought it was the natural progression for those animals to be part of the cycle of life and when comments about glue factories were made, I thought it was an honor for them to be the same glue that allowed me to create something new in art class.

As I got older I realized other people actually ate horse-meat.  Horsemeat didn’t appeal to me, but those who did weren’t trying to cram it down my throat that I couldn’t have beef or pork or chicken or anything else.   

When all the attention got focused on the horse slaughter plants, I truly thought it was a good thing.  If inspections weren’t being done,  that needed to be handled.   If procedures were not followed in the kill room — get them fixed.  If the trucking end of things needed attention,  get it taken care of. 

Instead – it snowballed into a big ugly entity of it’s own that has caused division and strife across America. 

Why do ALL of us find it is easier to make noise, throw time and money at debating and force feeding our opinion on an issue instead of finding a solution.

With all the money spent on this issue both Pro and Con,  wouldn’t a workable solution have been significantly cheaper? I had an employer years ago who said –  If you don’t have a solution to the problem, you’re just whining.   

Folks we’re not accomplishing anything —–we’re all just whining.

Humane Welfare of Unwanted Horses

It appears as written the bills proposed have made no provision for the humane welfare of unwanted horses.   These are huge animals that require room to move, consume lots of feed and require specialized care. 

I applaud those who are financially able to send their horse to a “retirement home.”   What about the rest of the horses? 

What are the options for truly dangerous horses?   The ones that have been taught a dangerous habit.   I know a mare that was “taught” to rear over backwards.  She is beautiful in color, confirmation and has fantastic bloodlines.  Her introduction to saddling caused a situation where she was overwhelmed, reared, broke a lead rope and went over backwards.  This was repeated several times by the then current owners.  Today, her first reaction at being saddled is to get scared and then rear over backwards.  What are the options for her?

Would a “retirement” home be an option?  Not financially for the folks who have her now.  Taking the mare to a sale barn is out of the question,  she would not get any bids.  The 6 year old little girl this mare was purchased for is heart broken.   They can’t get rid of this mare and they can’t purchase another horse without getting rid of the first one.  

Confusion on the Highways

I scaled the truck and trailer with two yearling fillies one morning.   The DOT officer asked to see my paperwork.   The Dot officer then proceeded to explain that if I put one more horse on I would be overloaded and illegal. 

One week later I scaled the same truck and trail and horses at the same DOT station.  I pulled on and they waved me through.    I pulled around back and went inside to ask for the “top dog”.   That morning the “top dog” in the office happened to be the Captain.

After asking for an explanation of the regulations and explaining the situation the prior week,  his answer to me was ——–   “That officer didn’t understand the law.”

Now, if the folks who uphold the law don’t understand it —- how can we feel secure in having additional laws and rules put on the books?  

Have you read the horse slaughter bill?

Until you read the whole bill with all the amendments and attachments, you don’t really get the full effect of what this will do to horse owners.

The transporation restrictions they are trying to add would put each and everyone of our horses at risk for hauling them to the vet.   A stretch?  Maybe, but the way it is written a “sore” horse can be confiscated by a “secretary” anytime THEY deem it sore.  What is sore?   

I have a 28 year old gelding who is navicular.   Is he sore?  I don’t believe so most of the time.   Do I ride him?   Last year I trail rode him a little.   Technically he is a cripple -  at least according to the x-rays.   How do I get him to the vet for immunization shots?  He’s a cripple -   I don’t want him confiscated!   I love him!

PLEASE,  as a horse owner, read the bill -  see for your self what they are trying to push through -  then get on the phone or email to your representatives!

Latest MSN Headline: Hidden victims of mortgage crisis: Pets

Well, what do they think people are going to do when they can’t buy food for themselves and pay the mortage?

The supporters of the horse slaughter bill have no comprehension of what thousands of horses running around could be like.   Dogs and cats can travel unhindered by most fences to reach food and water.   Horses can not!

We had just such a situation here in the rural midwest within the last two weeks.  Two horses were found on a state highway.  Local officers ran them off the road into an unfenced cornfield.   The horses were there for over 48 hours.   No one knew who they belonged to and the “Laws” are such that you could not legally go catch them on private property unless you were the legal owner. 

After attempting to contact my state reps,  the only response was from the Humane Society.   Does that give you an idea of why we are fighting our own government?  The animal rights people have tossed around enough money to get the governments attention when they wanted it. 

Horse slaughter bill drives markets down!

We know have proof the horse the bill has definitely dropped the bottom out of the horse market for the $500 to $5000 dollar horse.

 Weanlings and yearlings are bringing $5.00 to $10.00 IF they can even get a bid on them. 

Hello ——-   I have no problem with the natural cyle of the markets.  But, the slaughter bill has dropped the bottom completely out.

We need to stand up and make our congressional reps pay attention.  They have had all the attention from the money throwers -  now they need to hear from the people who voted and put them in their jobs.

Why everyday Joe is losing.

Horse people, we are in trouble.   Setting on our rears has cost us dearly, the horse market for the everyday Joe horseowner has tanked. 

I do think the slaughter industry should be regulated.   I do not think a few people with lots of time and money should control our options.

That is what this entire bill is pointing to.   The few who decide for the rest of us.

Have you contacted your congressional representatives lately?