House Votes to Outlaw Horse Slaughter

Demonstrators carry signs during a rally on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006, in support of a bill to ban horse slaughter for human consumption. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) (Dennis Cook - AP)

Defenders of horse slaughter said it offers a cheap and humane way to end a horse's life when the animal no longer is useful. They say many owners cannot afford to care for an unproductive horse.

"These unwanted horses are often sick, unfit or problem animals," said Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn. "Many of them are already living in pain or discomfort, and tens of thousands more could be neglected, starved or abandoned if their owners no longer have processing available as an end-of-life option."

Supporters said a U.S. ban would likely send horses to Canada and Mexico for slaughter. Unlike other countries, U.S. law requires that horses and other livestock be unable to feel pain before they are killed.

"These facilities provide a humane alternative to additional suffering or possible dangerous situations," said GOP Rep. Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.

Horses are slaughtered at three foreign-owned plants _ two in Texas and one in Illinois. In all, about 88,000 horses, mules and other equines were slaughtered last year, according to the Agriculture Department.

The administration had the backing of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the biggest horse doctors' group. The American Quarter Horse Association also supports the practice.

Opponents had the backing of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association as well as the Humane Society of the United States.

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