Humane Society Press Release on Horse Slaughter

Federal Court Blocks Horse Slaughter on U.S. Soil

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(Aug. 2, 2013)?A federal court has issued a temporary restraining order to halt U.S. Department of Agriculture inspections of horse slaughter plants, which effectively prevents any plant from opening on U.S. soil. Front Range Equine Rescue, The Humane Society of the United States, and other horse advocates filed suit against USDA last month challenging the agency?s failure to conduct the required environmental review prior to placing inspectors in horse slaughter plants. The injunction will remain in place for 30 days, at which time the court will decide whether to extend the order.

Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS, said: ?We’ve won a temporary but life-saving reprieve for horses, and it’s good news indeed that the kill boxes in New Mexico and Iowa will be empty of horses in the weeks ahead.? We?ll continue to make arguments when our case resumes in a month that these plants cannot legally operate because of inadequate environmental review.?

From the ASPCA:?

The ASPCA has issued the following statement in response to yesterday?s federal court ruling preventing horse slaughter plants from opening in the U.S while it considers the environmental hazards associated with such facilities:

The ASPCA is encouraged by yesterday?s federal court ruling, given that nearly 80 percent of Americans do not want our horses slaughtered, here or in any other country. The court?s actions are consistent with what the American people already know ?that horse slaughter is a cruel and reckless practice that harms horses, public health, and the environment. Now, Congress must stop horse slaughter in the U.S. once and for all by passing the SAFE Act to protect horses, consumers, and communities.

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