It's Fiscally Irresponsible to Even Study the Feasibility of a Horse Slaughter Plant

In a time of severe economic difficulties, North Dakota apparently has money to burn. They have decided to pursue a $50,000 feasibility study for a horse slaughter plant.

This decision is fiscally irresponsible. Legislation is pending in the House of Representatives that will ban slaughter of American horses in this country and ban the transport of them out of the country for the same. All over America, constituents are voicing their objection to this grisley practice. The average horse enthusiast views their horse as a companion animal, like a dog or cat, and certainly doesn't want it to end up in a slaughterhouse. Even the FDA calls horses companion animals. See the second paragraph at this FDA link:

http://www.fda.gov/cvm/CVM_Updates/DraftGFIAnesthetics.htm

Knowing that the legislation is pending, and that America as a majority is opposed to horses being slaughtered, why would you throw $50,000 out the window? Obviously, the public sentiment that this journalist refers to is not of importance to the legislation of North Dakota.

And isn't it interesting that the sponsor of the study, Representative Froelich, is a quarterhorse breeder. Check out his website:

http://www.froelichranch.com/

Here's the dozens and dozens of horses he sold last September. Now where do you suppose all these horses went?

http://www.froelichranch.com/FROELICH5.htm

It will come as no surpise to you that the breed of horse most often found at the slaughterhouse is the Quarter horse. More Quarter horses are registered each year, keeping the The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) in business through registration fees. The AQHA is in favor of horse slaughter.

And now we have Quarter horse breeders in power, advocating for slaughter plants.



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Study of Horse Slaughter Plant Gets ND House Nod



http://www.kfyrtv.com/News_Stories.asp?news=27150

2/18/2009

North Dakota lawmakers have agreed to set aside $50,000 for a possible study of a horse slaughter plant.

New laws and public sentiment against horse processing have resulted in the recent closure of U.S. plants.

Selfridge Rep. Rod Froelich says that makes it difficult for ranchers to dispose of horses that are old or injured. He says North Dakota should try to solve the problem.

Representatives voted 89-5 on Wednesday to set aside money for a study. The state`s Agricultural Products Utilization Commission would have to approve the project.

The bill says state money for the study would have to be matched by private industry.

The legislation now goes to the North Dakota Senate.

The bill is HB1496.