Bear Valley Rescue: About Horse Slaughter
Investigation at Natural Valley Farms Horse slaughter plant horrors unveiled ***Warning: very graphic content!*** Download pdf! http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/pdf/envf0802.pdf Natural Valley Farms, Saskatchewan's horse slaughter plant, is one of seven abattoirs now federally licensed to slaughter horses in Canada. THIS IS A MUST READ! White Paper on Horse Slaughter by Veterinarians for Equine Welfare. This is a clear statement against horse slaughter that is backed up by rational argument - Click here. Here is a link to the US Humane Society website -WARNING- there are some very graphic videos of the slaughter of horses in Mexico. Just a word of warning, they kill them using a dagger to the spine. Very disturbing (the one about the dog meat industry in the Philipines is awful too - actually they're all pretty awful, not happy viewing). - Click here to see the awful truth. 'Save Our Horses from Slaughter' license plate holders can be ordered for $7.00 apiece (includes shipping to Canadian destinations). To order, please send an e-mail to info@defendhorsescanada.org Also check out the links page for more information on horse slaughter.
Alert: Dealing in Blood Money ...Canada's Betrayal of Horses! (February 1, 2008)
Canadian Horse Defense Coalition representatives have been extremely busy in the field over the past several months. We have both good and bad news to share. As you read this, please remember that we cannot expect to see an end to horse slaughter without a huge fight from industry; those who profit from the suffering and untimely deaths of our companion animals are bound to be upset about potential loss of revenue. The more they fight, the more threatened they feel. And here's an additional thought as we proceed: a movement is only as strong as its most committed forces. YOU are part of that!
The Bad News: Sudden growth of horse slaughter in Canada
In 2007, the last U.S. equine slaughterhouse in Dekalb, Illinois, was forced to close its doors due to upholding of state legislation. Horses are therefore no longer being slaughtered in the United States. (That by itself is wonderful news!) However, since the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act has not yet been enacted (along with protective provisions that would ban transport for slaughter as well), horses have been moving south to Mexico and north to Canada en masse. In 2006, 50,242 horses were killed in Canadian abattoirs. In 2007, this figure rose to nearly 80,000. USDA statistics indicate that there has been a 46% increase in the numbers of horses exported to Canada from the U.S.: 18,901 in 2006 and 27,688 in 2007. The horse killing industry in Canada has responded to U.S. slaughterhouse closures with a colossal effort to cash in. Canada is fast becoming the horse slaughter capital of the world, boasting seven slaughterhouses that are now licensed to kill horses. The ultimate betrayal of our equine companions is federally sanctioned in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec. The most recent addition to the list is Norval Meats at Proton Station, Ontario. Detailed information on individual slaughter plants can be found here: http://active.inspection.gc.ca/scripts/meavia/reglist/reglist.asp?lang=e (click on horses and then hit Submit).
The Good News: Help arrives on a southerly breeze
On January 14, 2008, actress Bo Derek brought a crucial message to Vancouver, B.C.--that horses should not be slaughtered for human consumption. She expressed her concern about growing numbers of American horses now being transported to Canada for slaughter. "These same horses that we saved in one respect--a lot of them are ending up here and that only increases their suffering because the distances are further and the conditions that they are transported in are really horrendous," Ms. Derek stated. Written, radio and television coverage of this press conference and the issue of horse slaughter generally was extensive: National Post: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=264975 Vancouver Sun: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=9c5303ec-3907-459c-a313-990951111b9c&k=76004 Vancouver Province (canada.com): http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=21890079-00da-4c1a-869a-65aaab77e944 AFP: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i4oDZywN5FQkOxXgNrODWuIv-0GA Saskatoon Star Phoenix: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/local/story.html?id=2928b3a8-c730-4bbc-b4a6-164cd5c969d1 LeSoleil: http://www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20080124/CPSOLEIL/80123290/6787/CPSOLEIL In addition, eleven television news clips covering the press conference aired on January 14th and 15th. We are so very grateful to Bo for her compassion and commitment to this cause! With her assistance, the campaign to stop horse slaughter in Canada has officially been launched and the issue continues to be debated on radio talk shows and forums, delivering the message even further.
Call to Action!
Eyes Needed
Now, with horse slaughter in the news, it is more important than ever to do what we can to expose the cruelty. Reported incidents from concerned Canadians are received by our Coalition every week. This brings home the fact that inhumanity to horses destined for slaughter is happening right now, every day! It is becoming increasingly clear that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is doing a poor job policing the transport of horses. We need eyes looking out for horses in our communties! Please be on the lookout for trucks carrying equines, and report to the police any animal welfare concerns you may witness. For instance, lame horses should not be loaded onto trailers (this happens consistently at auctions). Remind enforcement officials about subsection 138(2) of the Health of Animals Regulations (under authority of the Health of Animals Act), which states: "...no person shall load or cause to be loaded and no one shall transport or cause to be transported an animal that by reason of infirmity, illness, injury, fatigue or any other cause cannot be transported without undue suffering during the expected journey...." Undue suffering is a fact of life in the slaughter business, from auction to feedlot to abattoir! Please keep documented records and report all details of these incidents to the CHDC at: info@defendhorsescanada.org . Pictures or video footage of animal cruelty, if you can obtain it, helps to document the evidence. We'd be interested in knowing if the authorities will not respond to your complaints.
Legislative Support More work needs to be done in the area of enlisting the support of Canadian Members of Parliament. Please make an appointment to meet with your MP as soon as possible in order to bring the concerns to his/her attention. Encourage your representative in Ottawa to support petitioning efforts to stop equine slaughter. Our horses need a Member of Parliament to put forth a private member's bill to stop horse slaughter (and transport for slaughter) in Canada. You can use the following points to help illustrate why we are trying to stop the slaughter of horses for human consumption: It is not possible for horse slaughter to be conducted humanely. Go here to view the evidence: Vets for Equine Welfare (http://vetsforequinewelfare.org/video.php); Animals' Angels investigations (http://www.animals-angels.com:80/index.php?pageID=563&synlink:docID=i8386&synlink:linkID and scroll down to Natural Valley and Richelieu investigations) Transport for slaughter is not humane. Read about the concerns: Animals Angels (http://www.animals-angels.com:80/index.php?pageID=563&synlink:docID=i8386&synlink:linkID and scroll down to Transport of American horses to Canada for slaughter) Feedlot maintenance is not humane. Go here: http://www.kaufmanzoning.net/horsemeat/GreatFallsTribune08102003.htm Please use your power as a constituent to speak out for the horses! Find your Member of Parliament here: http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainMPsCompleteList.aspx?TimePeriod=Current&Language=E The Hon. Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, also needs to hear about Canada's cruelty to horses. You'll find a feedback box to the minister here: http://www.agr.gc.ca/cb/min/index_e.php?s1=help-aide&s2=contact
For further information, as well as downloadable petitions and flyers, please visit: www.defendhorsescanada.org **Copy/paste links into your browser if they do not work by clicking on them.**
Canada Becoming Horse Slaughter Leader - How Can You Help Stop It? (September 4, 2007) There is a disturbing trend developing in Canada. We are becoming the country of choice for domestic and foreign-owned horse slaughter businesses to continue killing North American horses for human consumption overseas. In 2006, two of the last three existing US horse slaughter plants closed, as a Texas law protecting horses was upheld. In Illinois, the last remaining plant remains in operation only on appeal. Horse slaughter is close to becoming history in the US, as it is anticipated that the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act will soon become law. When this law is passed, not only will horses be protected from slaughter in the US, they will also be prevented from shipping to Canada and Mexico for the same purpose. A year ago, there were 3 plants in Canada – 2 in Quebec and one in Alberta. Today, this number has doubled – there now exist 2 in Quebec, 2 in Alberta, one in BC and one in Saskatchewan. When horses are shipped to slaughter, they are transported over very long distances, cramped in trailers built for cattle. Stallions, young colts and fillies, pregnant mares and geldings, along with sick and lame horses are not provided with food or water for days at a time. They are driven thousands of miles sometimes across Canada or from as far away as Texas. Transportation records show that normally one or more horses are found dead on arrival. For those that do survive the last journey of their lives, what awaits them in the slaughterhouse is an even greater hell. Those that can still walk are herded by electric prods inside, where they hear, see and smell the death around them. In these final steps of their lives, visibly shaking and frightened to the point of losing control of their bladder and bowels, they experience the final betrayal that we as humans could possibly inflict on these loyal and trusting creatures. The Canadian Horse Defense Coalition (CHDC) asks Canadians to join in their pledge to help protect our equines from this grisly fate. Together, we must put pressure on our Members of Parliament, as well as the Minister of Agriculture, so legislation can be passed that will put an end to this barbaric practice. An Ipsos-Reid poll conducted in 2004 reveals that nearly 2/3 of Canadians (64%) oppose the slaughter of horses for human consumption. Now that Canada is becoming the “solution” for the imminent closing of this business in the US, we must increase our efforts to protect the thousands of horses that will die this most cruel death here in Canada. In 2006, over 50,000 horses were slaughtered in Canada. That is nearly 1,000 every week. With the increased number of horses shipping to Canada, and the new slaughterhouses in operation, these numbers will continue to rise. These horses are not all unwanted and untrainable. They are not all old, sick and lame. Many of these horses are picked up at auction by kill buyers. Slaughterhouses do not provide a humane euthanasia service -- they are strictly profit driven by an industry that supplies horsemeat to overseas consumers. Quite literally, no horse is safe from slaughter. How can you help? By contacting your MP and Minister of Agriculture, you are making your voice heard. By helping educate yourself and fellow Canadians about this hidden industry, you are helping to reveal it and keep it above the radar. On the CHDC website at DefendHorsesCanada.org you can: - download and print copies of our flyer and distribute it to help educate others - download and modify the petition to include the name of your MP, so you can gather signatures of others who are opposed. - Find your MP Recently, Hon. Gerry Ritz was appointed the new Minister of Agriculture. Click HERE or HERE to contact him. To help further you can: - Notify your local newspapers and television stations on this important horse welfare issue - Find other people and organizations to network with, so you can become part of the collective group opposing horse slaughter. When we band together and stand united, we can bring change. Together, we can literally help save the lives of thousands of horses. Please join us today, and start taking action now to save Canada’s horses from slaughter. ~ Shelley Grainger Director, Eastern Region Canadian Horse Defense Coalition sgrainger2434@rogers.com
Will Canadians Stomach a Horsemeat Industry? From Tuesday's Globe and Mail, September 4, 2007 at 4:22 AM EDT - Click here to read Globe and Mail’s complete revealing article on Canada’s horsemeat industry. As U.S. slaughterhouses shut down, domestic abattoirs are courting demand for the delicacy abroad and controversy at home. By KATHERINE HARDING NEAR NEUDORF, SASK. — At the end of a remote gravel road in southern Saskatchewan's Qu'Appelle Valley is the next target in a growing movement to rid North America of its horse slaughterhouses. Horse advocates in both Canada and the United States are outraged that this vast green valley, lush and rolling, is now home to this country's newest federally licensed horse abattoir: Natural Valley Farms Inc. They are also concerned that even more Canadian companies may start slaughtering and processing horses in a bid to satisfy hungry overseas markets that crave horsemeat, a pricey delicacy in many countries, since the industry is headed for extinction in the United States. "This is all happening under the radar. Ask most people, and they have no idea that horses are even slaughtered in Canada for meat," said Shelley Grainger, director of the Canadian Horse Defense Coalition's eastern region. Wild horses are rounded up in July in Eureka, Nev. Two of the three remaining horse slaughterhouses in the U.S. shut down this year. The industry is worth $60-million annually in Canada. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Her group wants the practice outlawed in Canada, arguing it is inhumane and repugnant because horses are commonly regarded more as pets and sporting animals than livestock. The coalition is also calling for a national ban on the shipment of live horses to other countries for human consumption. Currently, almost all the horsemeat processed in Canada by the six licensed horse abattoirs is exported to Europe and Asia, although there is a small domestic market for the product in Quebec. According to Statistics Canada, the top importers of Canadian horsemeat last year were France, Japan, Mexico and Switzerland. The industry is worth an estimated $60-million annually in Canada. Steven Rei, an American anti-horse-slaughter lobbyist and founder of the National Equine Rescue Coalition, said Natural Valley Farms' decision to begin slaughtering horses this summer is proof that Canada is already benefiting from the shutdown earlier this year of two of the three remaining horse slaughterhouses in the United States. (In 2006, about 88,000 horses in the U.S. were killed and processed into horsemeat.) The last operating slaughterhouse in the U.S., located in DeKalb, Ill., is struggling to remain open while it fights a new state law aimed at putting it out of business for good. It has been shipping its meat to U.S. zoos for feed, and overseas for human consumption, for about two decades. The horsemeat contract Natural Valley Farms recently signed is with Velda Group, the Belgium-based parent company of the business that owns the troubled Illinois slaughterhouse. Ken Piller, president of Natural Valley Farms, was extremely reluctant to talk about the controversy surrounding the meat plant's move to begin slaughtering horses at its facility south of Neudorf, Sask., a farming community of about 300 located 1½ hours east of Regina. The meat is processed at a plant in nearby Wolseley, Sask. It took several unreturned phone calls and an unannounced visit to the company's Neudorf plant before he agreed to speak. "We saw an opportunity here," Mr. Piller explained in an interview. "I really don't want to talk about the politics involved." According to Mr. Piller, the producer-owned business opened in 2005 and has been struggling ever since. The meat plant, which has tried to set itself apart from competitors by only producing hormone- and antibiotic-free beef, received money from the Saskatchewan government to help get started. Mr. Piller, whose family has been farming and ranching in the Qu'Appelle Valley for several generations, said that to keep the company's two plants operational and its 150 employees busy, side ventures such as processing horse meat are necessary. Even as late as April, it had to lay off some workers because of a lack of work. Mr. Piller understands that slaughtering horses for meat is an emotionally charged issue for many, but added: "Nobody in Saskatchewan cares. Everybody here raises horses ... Everybody understands at the end of the day there has to be a cull." Mr. Piller said about 95 per cent of the horses slaughtered at Natural Valley Farms are from Canadian suppliers, and that many are "retirees" - often older, unwanted animals, including former racehorses. Despite the collapse of the U.S. horse-slaughter industry, he doesn't expect more Canadian companies to rush in to fill the void. Mr. Piller said it's a difficult business to get into and that to ship product to Europe requires European Union certification, which Natural Valley Farms already had. If anything, he expects Mexico will benefit more than Canada from the closing of American horse abattoirs. People living near Natural Valley Farms' slaughterhouse are generally supportive of the company's move to produce horsemeat for foreign markets. "The plant has been good for this community. It has brought money and jobs here," said Glen Bender, who works at Cooper's General Store & the Chicken Coop Cafe in Neudorf. Not all locals are happy with what's happening at the plant. Mr. Piller's uncle, Raymond Piller, a 70-year-old farmer, shook his head and said: "Those poor, poor horses. But I know that they have to do what they have to do to keep that place running. They've had a hard go of it." Ms. Grainger said that while only a small percentage of horses in Canada are sent to the slaughterhouse (about 50,000 annually), there is no need for any of them to end up there. "The fact is that my horse is my pet, just like my dog and my cat. We don't slaughter our pets for people to consume," she said. "Horses are a part of our culture in a way that traditional livestock aren't." Ms. Grainger admits the anti-horse-slaughter lobby in Canada isn't as strong or organized as its counterpart in the U.S., but she expects it to gain steam as the "hidden industry" is exposed to more Canadians. ~ Katherine Harding * * * * * Horse d'oeuvres Which provinces have licensed slaughterhouses for horses? Quebec (two), Alberta (two), British Columbia and Saskatchewan. (Westwold, B.C., Lacombe, Alta., Fort Macleod, Alta., Neudorf, Sask. Massueville, Que., and St.-Andre-Avellin, Que.) How are horses slaughtered? The process is similar to how cattle are slaughtered: The animal is usually stunned with a captive bolt pistol that drives a spike into its brain and renders it immediately unconscious. Ken Piller, president of Natural Valley Farms, a Saskatchewan- based meat plant that slaughters horses, said compared with other animals the horse "is probably the easiest and cleanest animal to process." What's the history of horsemeat? Humans have eaten horsemeat since the beginning of time. However, as with pork and beef, some religions have either discouraged or banned the consumption of it over the centuries. For example, in 732, Pope Gregory III issued an edict to Roman Catholics that forbade them to eat it. Today, the meat is generally considered to be taboo in most English-speaking countries such as Canada, the United States and Australia. However, many European and Asian diners still regularly enjoy the delicacy. China is the leading producer of horsemeat. What does it taste like? The high-protein, low-fat meat is often described as tasting slightly sweet and similar to beef. How is it usually prepared? Similar to other meats, horsemeat can be prepared in numerous ways: smoked, salted, grilled, even eaten raw. ~ Katherine Harding * * * * * A Foreign Delicacy Almost all the horsemeat processed in Canada by the six licensed horse abattiors is exported. CANADIAN EQUINE* MEAT EXPORTS, 2007 to June: Country Quantity, KGM (Kilogram-meter) Value, $ Japan 2,492,889 $10,637,632 France 2,344,079 $12,097,347 Switzerland 947,337 $9,247,247 Mexico 904,337 $1,386,200 Italy 370,510 $1,725,454 Czech Rep 96,952 $151,925 Finland 48,354 $90,595 South Africa 23,618 $45,881 USA 18,606 $33,601 Belgium 15,300 $165,586 Swaziland 12,897 $117,204 Jamaica 7,664 $17,504 *includes horse, ass, mule and hinny (horse/donkey cross) SOURCES: STATISTICS CANADA, AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD CANADA
from CANADIAN HORSE DEFENSE COALITION: Alert: Two More Slaughterhouses Killing Horses in Canada! (August 7, 2007) As an end to horse slaughter in the United States becomes an increasingly tangible goal, Canada has unfortunately slipped backwards in the arena of protection for our equine population. Natural Valley Farms in Saskatchewan has announced that horses will now be slaughtered in their facility near Neudorf. Meanwhile, Canadian Horse Defense Coalition discovered that Medallion Meats near Falkland, B.C., has been quietly shipping horsemeat to Japan. There are now four Canadian provinces actively butchering horses: Quebec, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and B.C. To read more about Natural Valley Farms and its custom contract with countries in the European Union, CLICK HERE. Medallion Meats is owned by Kour Holdings Corporation. The slaughterhouse is located at 6478 Kamloops Vernon Hwy. Additional contact information: BOX 69, FALKLAND, BC, V0E 1W0; phone: 250-375-2588 (office); 604-562-8680 (cell). For updated horse slaughter statistics in Canada, please see the first two tables on this webpage: http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/info.php?id=stats.inc Additional statistics from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada indicate that during the first four months of 2007 Canada's slaughter horse imports were on the rise: 2,049 in January; 2,319 in February; 2,422 in March; and 2,851 in April. This is a logical progression, considering the fact that equine slaughter is grinding to a stop in the United States (with only Cavel in DeKalb, Illinois, operating temporarily). We can thus expect growing numbers of American horses to enter Canadian slaughter facilities, at least until such time that U.S. legislation is enacted, prohibiting the transport of horses to Canada and Mexico for slaughter. **50,242 horses were killed in Canadian slaughterhouses in 2006.** Please consider approaching your Member of Parliament at the earliest opportunity in order to discuss a bill to end the slaughter of our horses! ~ Canadian Horse Defense Coalition
from CANADIAN HORSE DEFENSE COALITION: Call to Action! (February 25, 2006) Dear Horse Defenders, THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION FROM THE CANADIAN HORSE DEFENSE COALITION. We represent organizations and individuals who are committed to protecting our nation's horses from slaughter. We are ultimately seeking a ban on the practice of horse slaughter in Canada, as well as the export of Canadian equines for the purpose of human consumption. One of our goals is to gain horse industry support, as well as the backing of our legislators. Please get in touch with us as soon as possible if you are affiliated with an arm of the horse industry, or know of a supportive MP or senator. What's New in the Movement? First, the good news: We welcome the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of Canada to our growing list of supporters. The HBPA is a racing industry organization, dedicated to equine welfare. At a national meeting in July 2005, the HBPA of Canada voted to join the movement to defend Canadian horses. Next, the not-so-good news: During a recent radio interview, Dr. Terry Whiting, Chairman of the Animal Welfare Committee for the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, expressed his opposition to a ban on horse slaughter. This may come as a surprise to those who care deeply for horses; however, the CVMA stance is a carbon copy of the argument used by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): that ending horse slaughter will likely result in increased neglect cases. In truth, this is nothing more than guesswork, and even Dr. Whiting admits, "The risk is not proven of increased neglect, but it is a concern." There are other holes in Dr. Whiting's theories...please read on. Dr. Terry Whiting on CBC's "The Current" ( http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/2006/200602/20060215.html ): Dr. Whiting further implies that slaughter is acceptable if it is "humanely conducted". He assumes that slaughter is, in fact, humanely conducted because veterinarians have been hired to oversee the slaughter process in the killing plants. He states that there is a "difference" between livestock and companion animals. Lastly, he talks about having an obligation to the "owner" of an animal, as well as respecting various "cultural differences". The Canadian Horse Defense Coalition responds: 1) Assumptions are not good science. - - a) Dr. Whiting assumes that a ban on horse slaughter might automatically result in an increased incidence of neglect, but history actually proves him wrong: . A law enacted in California in 1998 outlaws horse slaughter in that state and the shipment of horses for slaughter. Since this legislation went into effect, there has been no increase in the amount of horse neglect, and equine theft has decreased by 34%. The state of California boasts over 700,000 horses--second only to Texas, with one million. . In Illinois, the state's only horse slaughtering facility was destroyed by fire in 2002. While abuse cases had risen by 100 new cases a year, after the facility was destroyed, they leveled off. By the end of 2003, the numbers had decreased by about 100 cases. - - b) If horse slaughter were to be banned, Dr. Whiting is concerned about where all of the extra horses would go. Here's where: Some horses would be retained by their current guardians. Some horses would be sold or adopted out. Some horses would be given to rescue organizations, numbers of which are growing in Canada and the U.S. Some horses, as a last resort, would be humanely euthanized by veterinarians. This alternative should be reserved for terminally ill or otherwise suffering horses. Individuals concerned about the cost of euthanasia/body disposal need to compare that to what it has cost them to maintain a horse over previous months and years. The eventual and inevitable loss of one's horse must be taken into account from the very beginning, and should be figured into the budget. Some horses would never be born at all. Breeding practices would automatically become more selective, and a decrease in foal production would mean an increase in horse prices. Accountability would work its way into all facets of the horse industry. 2) Slaughter is not humane euthanasia. Undercover video tells a story of terror, pain and prolonged suffering--hardly a fitting end for the noble horse. Please visit: www.sharkonline.org/horseslaughter.mv (not for the sensitive viewer). In contrast to these gruesome, cruel images of the equine slaughter process, the site offers footage of two long-time horse buddies (both ailing) who were humanely euthanized together. There is no comparison between these two roads to death--yet, with the information currently available, how can the Animal Welfare Committee of the CVMA support equine slaughter as an acceptable and humane method of euthanasia? 3) Veterinarians paid by the industry are not at arms-length from the industry. Dr. Whiting makes the assumption that slaughter is humanely conducted because the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has veterinarians in the plants overseeing the slaughter process. Employed by the Manitoba Ministry of Agriculture (the ministry involved with food production), Dr. Whiting himself has close ties to the industry. Veterinarians who observe the slaughtering of animals in killing plants should be at arms-length from any industry that profits from these activities. Veterinarians who chair animal welfare committees ought to have no ties to food production. 4) Livestock animals suffer no less than companion animals. Dr. Whiting contends that "there is a difference between livestock and companion animals". What difference? Are horses less worthy than dogs and cats, or is he suggesting that they feel less pain and terror when being killed? 5) Humane treatment of animals should not be influenced by cultural differences in our country, nor by issues of revenue. Dr. Whiting expresses "interest in the owner of an animal" and states that there is an obligation to "respect cultural differences". Who is he representing, animals or the people who profit from the use of animals? There is something you can do! Anna Maria Tremonti of CBC's "The Current" needs to hear your views on horse slaughter. Contact Ms. Tremonti: -- by phone: 416-205-7878 -- by mail: The Current P.O. Box 500, Station A Toronto, Ontario M5W 1E6 -- by Fax: 416-205-6461 -- by email: Please use the comments box at: http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/contact.html Additional facts you can use: An Ipsos-Reid poll conducted in May 2004 revealed that two-thirds (64%) of Canadians do not believe in the slaughter of horses for human consumption ( http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/pressrelease.cfm?id=2252 ) A petition presented to Canadian Parliament in 2002 by Liberal MP Sarmite Bulte contained 2,000 signatures of citizens opposed to the slaughter of horses ( http://www.parl.gc.ca/37/2/parlbus/chambus/house/debates/014_2002-10-24/HAN014-E.htm ) Ms. Bulte stated that this was perhaps the largest petition she had ever received. According to an Animals' Angels investigation on July 31, 2003, horses at Bouvry Exports in Fort Macleod, Alberta, were shot in the head with a 22 calibre rifle (without pre-stunning) while in the killing box. Although the team did not observe any horses being shot (they did witness horses being hung up immediately after this), they did note that it took three to four shots to kill individual bison. A bison has a thicker skull than a horse, but equines have long, mobile necks. Anyone who has ever attempted to place a halter on a terrified horse will recall what degree of movement an equine head is capable of. How many shots does it take to kill a horse who is visibly shaking with fear, having seen and smelled blood in the dark killing box? When horses are exported live out of the country for slaughter overseas, all control over the butchering process is lost. Those animals are then at the mercy of foreign laws, and may be dispatched by slaughterhouse personnel with minimal training. Horses, having served humankind for centuries, should not be slaughtered for human consumption! These loyal, intelligent, and beautiful animals are far more valuable as living beings than as food sources. Help us lead Canada's horses away from barbarism . . . and into the protected pastures of a civilized nation.