Horse Slaughter may have been banned in the U.S. back in 2007, but there are still people that are engaging in it. The horse meat is still desired in foreign countries and that is why the slaughter continues. It is an issue because a large amount of the horses that are shipped to the foreign countries are transported illegally from the U.S. to either Mexico or Canada for slaughter. This may not be an issue to many people but it can be for many others. Others have said that this is a horrible thing that is going on and I obviously agree strongly. No one really understands how these animals can be treated this badly but some may not realize that these are not the only animals that are slaughtered this way; they have just become more talked about. The biggest problem that I am seeing is the way that the horses are treated and I feel that it would make the event far less gruesome is they would humanely euthanize the horses and not treat them like dirt seeing as they can feel pain too. What is open to dispute is if they can make the event less tragic or just stop it all together. I do not have a complete thesis yet but my main goal is to find ways to improve slaughter or see if there are people that are getting close to ending it all together.
OK, Kari. I like your passion about ths issue. I'm wondering if there is any way to pursue this argument in terms fo trying to ban the export of Horses to countires where they will be slaughtered. Is there a precedent for the US stopping the exporting of goods they know will be used in a way taht violates US law? Waht about the international community? Are their other countries that might have such bans on exports?
ReplyDeleteI know that in some states they are banning the transportaion of the horses in double-decker trailers. I don't remember what all of the states are but i would be sure to include that in my paper. I think that banning any form of transport should be made illegal and that would solve a large amount of the problems because many of the horses come from the U.S.
ReplyDeleteHi Kari, My name is Rachel and I'm a student at the University of Rhode Island. I think the topic that you chose is really interesting. I had no idea that this was an issue here in America. This seems to be a topic that you really care about and I think it's awesome you found something that you care so much about. I just want to know if there is anyway to know if horses are going into Canada and Mexico to be slaughtered and how to stop it? I just want to know if horses being treated badly or being slaughtered illegally are two different things. Obviously if a horse is slaughtered it is treated badly, but are there rules or regulations as to how horses should be treated and if these conditions are check on and met? Also, are you on any committee or have you found any groups that all agree and are passionate about horse slaughtering in the United States? I think you could really voice your opinion in the right setting!
ReplyDeleteHey Kari, I'm Anna and I'm from Eacc and I am part of the English Comp 2 class. I like your topic because it is something that should be stopped and is an issue that not very many people are aware of. I think you should carry on with this topic and help make more people aware of this problem. You could probably make a newsletter or some flyers or brochures and pass them out to make this problem known better. Try to make this topic known to more people everywhere.
ReplyDeleteRachel, i am not completely sure how anyone can be completely sure whether or not the horses bought are actually being transported to canada or mexico. I'm sure that when someone goes to an auction it is evident which pens are dedicated to the kill buyers. I would say that being slaughtered and treated badly both come into play. The horses are treated terribly throughout the whole ordeal and the slaughtering process is painful and the animals die because they end up bleeding out when they are hung upside down by their rear legs. They are fully conscious the whole time. I do think that they have some regulations but they are not always followed. I have seen videos on youtube where they show the killers taking a gun and just shooting them in the forehead and others where they are taking a knife and just stabbing the horse till they severe the spinal cord. The slaughter houses have been closed in the United States and this does pose a big problem seeing as that was some people's only way of getting rid of the unwanted horses. I am not on any committee but i would if i found one in the area because i am really passionate about the horses and i don't want to see their lives ended like that.
ReplyDeleteAnna, i really like the idea of making flyers or something and i had never really thought about doing that. Might have to try that. Thank you