No Country for Horses - CBC Looks at Horse Slaughter in Canada
Saturday June 14, 2008
I wasn't home last Tuesday evening to watch CBC's airing of "No Country for Horses." CBC news investigated the horse slaughter issue in Canada. Since the ban on slaughtering horses for human consumption in the United States, thousands of horses have been trucked north of the border. CBC has examined how horses are being slaughtered and "No Country for Horses" features hidden camera footage and a grim look at the industry. Watch the featured video with caution. It is graphic and some viewers may find it disturbing.
Comments
There is NO ban on horse slaughter in the US. The three kill houses were shut down by individual state laws. In Texas, the courts upheld a 1949 law that was being blatantly ignored and in Illinois, we passed a new law that, after appeals, finally shut them down on September 21, 2007.
Anyone that wishes to send their horse to slaughter can still do so. The same channels are available; same auctions, same kill buyers and same number of horses being slaughtered. The next time someone on the pro side starts with their stories of abandoned horses, ask them how that can be if slaughter prevents abandonment. You won’t get an answer.
Kudos to the CBC. They’re seeing what we have seen and been saying for years. There is no humane way to slaughter a horse – even on those rare occasions when they follow regulations. Interesting that the plant they investigated is the plant where Cavel is operating. That was the plant in DeKalb, Il and as everyone who has been following this knows, they are above the law. They have their own rules and play only by those. If they are called on something, they call their lawyers and appeal. And while they are appealing, it’s business as usual. If Canada tries to shut them down, get your court system ready. It will be a long, drawn out journey.