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Post by safehorses on Feb 12, 2006 12:06:34 GMT -5
What a great ad! I am glad that NHPC is doing this campaign...I'll mosey over to their site to donate to the cause.
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Post by gwenrowdy on Feb 14, 2006 11:37:30 GMT -5
This is hot off the press, kids. Yoohoo, the HSUS is suing the USDA: February 14, 2006 Dear Judy, Last week I wrote you to relay some shocking news: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is moving forward with its plan to allow the slaughter industry to continue to butcher our horses for human consumption overseas. I'm writing today to update you on an important development in the fight to stop the slaughter of our horses. Since the USDA has ignored the will of Congress and the American people, The HSUS is taking the agency to court. Just this morning, we filed a lawsuit with a coalition of animal protection groups in federal court to block the USDA from carrying out its illegal plan. Concerned horse advocates like you helped us win a temporary ban on horse slaughter, which was set to go into effect on March 10, and we are not about to sit by and watch this victory slip away. It is clear that we can not rely on the USDA alone. We must urge Congress today to pass a permanent ban on horse slaughter. It is the only way we can put our horses out of the reach of agency bureaucrats who will apparently do anything to keep American horsemeat flowing to French and Belgian chefs. Their actions are shameless, and they must be stopped! 1. Take action. We have no time to waste -- Congress must act now and pass the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act this year. Click here to contact your members of Congress. 2. Spread the word. Most people are shocked to learn that our horses are being slaughtered and shipped overseas for human consumption. Click here to tell your friends and family how they can help end horse slaughter. Thank you for continuing to stand with us and the horses. With your help, I know we can prevail and save tens of thousands of American horses from the butcher block. We all must take action now to save these horses from a grim and painful end. Sincerely, Wayne Pacelle President & CEO The Humane Society of the United States Copyright ©2006 The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) | All Rights Reserved. The Humane Society of the United States | 2100 L Street, NW | Washington, DC 20037 humanesociety@hsus.org | 202-452-1100 | www.hsus.org
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Post by gwenrowdy on Feb 14, 2006 11:40:42 GMT -5
Here's another one that came in this morning, this one is from the ASPCA:
State Funded Spay/Neuter Programs: How New Hampshire Became the Model Millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized annually or suffer as strays. Many of these are the result of unwanted, unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering. Many states, such as New Hampshire, Illinois and Maine, have established low-cost spay/neuter programs that make this surgery easily affordable. Many cities also offer reduced licensing fees for owners of spayed and neutered pets. To find a low-cost program near you, call your local humane society or shelter, or call toll-free (800) 248-SPAY. Please visit the New Hampshire Innovation Bank site (link above) to learn more about this effective program and how it can be implemented in your state.
Federal: Update! USDA To Allow Horse Slaughter in Spite of Congressional Ban! In 2005, after a tremendous public outcry, Congress overwhelmingly passed an appropriations bill that effectively stopped horse slaughter for fiscal year 2006 by cutting funding for USDA inspections of plants that slaughter horses. Now, in a move that flies directly in the face of that Congressional mandate, the USDA has granted a petition submitted by the three foreign-owned plants that slaughter horses in the United States to allow for the continuation of horse slaughter in this country!
Illinois: Support HB 4363-Instant Scratch-Off Game to Generate Funds for Animals HB 4363 would create a “Wild about Animals” instant scratch off game to generate funds for education programs, wildlife, and pet population control.
Illinois: Animal Advocates Support HB 2946! HB 2946, which passed the House with 108 votes, makes it a Class A misdemeanor for convicted felons to possess unsterilized dogs. The bill has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee and will be heard in Committee next week.
Illinois: Support HB 4238, a Public Safety Bill in the House Agricultural Committee HB 4238 will make it a Class 4 Felony if an owner knowingly allows any dog to run at large and the dog inflicts serious physical injury to a person.
Kansas: SB 408 Would Strengthen Animal Cruelty Provisions SB 408 would strengthen animal cruelty provisions and classify the most serious acts of animal cruelty as felonies. Please ask your state senator to support SB 408.
New York: Assembly Passes A.3115 to Fund Low-Cost Spay/Neuter The Assembly has passed A.3115 which will direct 100 percent of the annual registration fee for animal population control fund distinctive license plates into the state’s low-cost spay and neuter fund.
Oklahoma: Oppose SB 1590, SB 1605, SB 1607 Which Would Minimize Cockfighting Ban Call your state senator and state representative today and urge them to oppose these bills!
Utah: HB 61, Passes the House, Makes Torturing an Animal a Third-Degree Felony Thanks to your efforts, HB 61 passed the House and is now in the Senate. Please urge your senator to support this important humane legislation.
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Post by lessonlearned on Feb 14, 2006 12:19:43 GMT -5
Go HSUS!!! Here's to hoping it will make a difference!
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Post by falseimpression on Feb 14, 2006 12:39:55 GMT -5
check the thread on coth... about it.. not very optimistic that they even have anything to sue about.
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Post by dakota2mariah on Feb 14, 2006 12:51:42 GMT -5
Yea! I have signed every petition against these monsters from day 1.
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Post by dakota2mariah on Feb 14, 2006 12:57:03 GMT -5
I used to be a member for Habitat for horses. Great Oganization but to political for me. the reason being was there was way to much flaming, I think they call it. I was a member of a couple of others as well and there was just way to much bashing between them. It's supposed to be about the welfare of the horses and nothing more, at least thats my opinon.
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Post by dakota2mariah on Feb 15, 2006 22:42:11 GMT -5
Suit Filed Over Horsemeat Inspections by: Chad Mendell, Staff Writer February 2006 Article # 6613 Article Tools Animal rights groups and U.S. residents living near three horsemeat processing plants jointly filed suit against the USDA on Feb. 13, less than a week after USDA announced a program to allow fee-for-service inspections of horses at slaughter plants. The Appropriations Bill eliminated funding of USDA inspectors at these plants. The groups allege that allowing fee-based inspections for horsemeat goes against the Congressional intent of the Appropriations bill, which they said was intended to end horse slaughter in the United States. They filed the lawsuit in the Washington, D.C., U.S. District Court. For more information the USDA's proposed fee-for-service program see www.thehorse.com/viewarticle.aspx?ID=6599. "The USDA's subversion of the law to appease the economically marginal and widely reviled horse slaughter industry is a blatant abuse of executive power, a violation of federal law, and an insult to the American people," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States. However, according to Steven Cohen, USDA spokesperson, the bill did not affect the legality of horsemeat processing, but only eliminated funding for inspecting horsemeat. Cohen said the bill doesn't change the agency's legal responsibility to inspect horsemeat under the Federal Meat Inspection Act. "The legal analysis supports the idea that the USDA is obligated under the law to perform these inspections, and we have an obligation to make sure the meat and carcasses are safe and wholesome," Cohen said. Other groups included in the suit are the Animal Welfare Institute, The Fund for Animals, Society for Animal Protective Legislation, Doris Day Animal League, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the American Humane Association. The USDA is accepting public comments regarding the fee-for-service program until March 10, when the program will be implemented. For more information on the program see www.fsis.usda.gov/Frame/FrameRedirect.asp?main=/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/05-036IF.htm
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Post by safehorses on Feb 21, 2006 17:30:51 GMT -5
Quick update from Jerry Finch on where we stand on the slaughter issue: Some of you have asked for a brief update on the horse slaughter issue.. Here’s a brief synopsis of the current status: The amendment passed by Congress and signed by the President that was designed to close the three existing equine slaughterhouses on March 10th by denying funds for Federal Inspectors has been circumvented by the USDA who, at the request of the three slaughterhouses, will start a “fee for service” program under the FSIS on March 10th that will allow the slaughterhouses to continue operation by paying for the inspectors themselves. While the USDA claims such inspections are “mandated,” the purpose of the amendment was specific in its intent. From a news release by Chris Heyde: WASHINGTON, DC (Feb. 14, 2006) - Six national humane groups representing over 9.5 million members and several individuals filed a complaint in federal court today against Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns and Food Safety and Inspection Service Administrator Barbara Masters, challenging the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to create a “fee-for-service” inspection system that facilitates the continued transport and slaughter of tens of thousands of American horses for human consumption abroad each year. This action by the USDA is in direct contravention of an amendment to the 2006 Agriculture Appropriations Bill that prohibits tax dollars from being used to fund the federally mandated inspection of horses for slaughter (beginning March 10, 2006), the Animal Welfare Institute, Society for Animal Protective Legislation (SAPL), Doris Day Animal League, The Humane Society of the United States, the Fund for Animals, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, American Humane Association, and the individual co-plaintiffs charge. -------------------------- In a separate matter, Dallas Crown has been declared a “nuisance” by the City of Kaufman and will be closing at a date yet to be determined by the Board of Adjustments. The final date will be announced at a meeting on March 9th at 6 pm at Kaufman City Hall. HfH/LSER has been deeply involved in bringing about this action and will be represented at this meeting. All of you are certainly invited to attend. Dallas Crown, Inc, is a shell corporation that leases the facility from Waldo, Inc, another shell corporation, and has no assets. They have failed to pay any fines imposed by the City of Kaufman, nor have they paid for the court ordered tests on their sewer pre-treatment plant. We already know that Dallas Crown will file an injunction once the date for closure has been announced. Two bills are now in Congress (HR503 and S1915), both virtually identical and called the American Horse Slaughter prevention Act. To date, HRT503 has 148 cosponsors. You can read the text of this bill and stay updated on its progress at: thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:HR00503:
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Post by safehorses on Feb 24, 2006 16:46:54 GMT -5
Just read that Bo Derek will be on the O'Reilly Factor (Fox News) tonight to discuss the horse slaughter issue. I try real hard never to watch that man's show, but I think I am going to make an exception tonight. www.foxnews.com/oreilly/index.htmlGo Bo!!
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Post by gypsygirl on Feb 24, 2006 17:44:54 GMT -5
Thanks for keeping up on this thread guys Glad it's here and it makes it a bit easier to keep tally!
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Post by safehorses on Mar 9, 2006 22:07:17 GMT -5
Just got this news over at the against slaughter board...the city of Kaufman has voted to close down Dallas Crown!! The bad news is that it won't close until September 30, but the vote has been taken and the horses won!
Also, there is a chance that a judge will hand down a temporary restraining order as early as tonight in regards the the lawsuit filed by the animal rights groups to stop the USDA's plan to allow a fee for service program at all three slaughter houses. The USDA program is set to go into operation tomorrow...the day that slaughter was supposed to end with the defunding of USDA inspectors at these slaughter houses. As I understand things, if the is a TRO, then the houses will have to close down until there is a ruling regarding the fee for service program.
Keep your fingers crossed...the houses could stop slaughtering on a temporary basis very soon!
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Post by schwung on Mar 10, 2006 1:23:15 GMT -5
Wow, I was wondering what was going on with this. To think that tomorrow we may be able to, at least temporarily, sleep well knowing no American horses are dying is a very heartening thought!
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Post by safehorses on Mar 14, 2006 22:15:08 GMT -5
Well...the slaughter plants are still in operation with no end it sight...the Humane Society's request for a temporary restraining order to stop the pay for inspection program was denied today: www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/3723330.htmlThe only way to stop the killing remains the work to pass HR 503 and S 1915.
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Post by schwung on Mar 14, 2006 22:57:03 GMT -5
"The legislation only changed funding for inspections. The Humane Society believes Congress intended to stop slaughter; it did not," Stenholm said in an interview. Really?? Then what was the intent, exactly??? I am so unbelievably disappointed.
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