To the Editor:
Whether in recreation, work, or war, horses have been a part of America’s culture for hundreds of years. After horses’ loyal service, sending them to slaughter is a betrayal to them and a dishonor to us.
Every aspect of horse slaughter is nothing but pain and terror for these trusting animals. Whether in the U.S. or across our borders, it was never and cannot be made humane. When horse slaughter plants operated in the U.S. before being shut down in 2007, horses endured long distance transport and suffered severe injuries in horrific conditions. Furthermore, the existence of domestic plants didn’t prevent horses from being exported to Mexico and Canada.
If horse slaughter plants are ever allowed to reopen here, it would come at the cost of millions of taxpayer dollars each year. At a time when Congress is focused on fiscal responsibility and the USDA’s budget is already stretched thin, taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to foot the bill to enable a practice that 80 percent of Americans oppose.
I urge U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock and U.S. Senators Warner and Kaine to please cosponsor the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R. 1942/S.1214) to put an end to the slaughter of American horses once and for all.
Cynthia Longo
Oakton