PRESS RELEASE

RELEASE DATE: Immediately (June 7, 2005)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Gene Baierschmidt 
                        (801) 261-2919 ex. 202 - office

MAJORITY OF UTAHANS OPPOSE SLAUGHTER OF AMERICAN HORSES
FOR FOREIGN CONSUMPTION -
HUMANE SOCIETY URGES PUBLIC TO CONTACT REPRESENTATIVES

   According to latest statistics gathered in Kentucky, Texas, and Utah, opposition to slaughtering horses for overseas consumption is, respectively, 82%, 72%, and 69%, and a bill which would ban the slaughter of American horses for human consumption abroad will be heard in the U.S. House of Representatives this week. The Humane Society of Utah is urging Utah citizens to contact their representatives at once to express support for HR 503, as well as for the Sweeney/Pratt Amendment to the bill, which would prohibit the use of tax monies to fund the practice. According to HSU Executive Director Gene Baierschmidt, "Americans have traditionally viewed horses as companion-type animals, not food, and the figures from this poll confirm that perception."

   Last year almost 66,000 American horses were slaughtered in just one of the three foreign-owned, U.S.-based facilities located in Texas and Illinois. Animals like show horses, racehorses, wild horses, and family-owned horses have all fallen victim to this industry, say opponents of the practice. "The horsemeat industry is carefully hidden from the American public, and that's the way the slaughtermen want it," says Mr. Baierschmidt. "Most of the horses are sold to middlemen who give no indication of the fate awaiting the animals. Many more are stolen each year, and, since the horses are usually killed within 24 hours, there's no way for owners to trace or recover their animals."

   The Humane Society urges the public to contact their elected officials before the end of the week and ask them to support HR 503 and the Sweeney/Spratt Amendment. To contact your Congressman, call the Capitol Hill Operator at (202) 224-3121, or send an e-mail by going to http://www.house.gov/writerep/ .