CALL TO ACTION TO END HORSE SLAUGHTER IN NY
HORSEPOWER
People Organizing for the Well-being of Equines and their Rights
CALL TO ACTION
S. 2163 / A5109
Addabbo / Glick
HORSEPOWER has been leading the efforts at the Capitol every day to advance Senate Bill 2163 / Assembly Bill 5109 across the finish line before the end of the 2023 legislative session, scheduled to close on June 8th. We have a great deal of traction on the bill, however, opponents have been pushing back hard, arguing they need to maintain the option of loading their injured, ill or old horses onto a trailer headed to slaughter as opposed to humanely euthanizing and rendering. We need YOU, the equestrians in our communities to help make this a reality.
S.2163 / A. 5109 will amend the agriculture and markets law to prohibit any person from slaughtering a horse where such person knows or has a reason to know that such horse will be used for human or animal consumption; prohibits any person from possessing, selling, or importing a horse or horseflesh if such person knows or should have known that any part of such horse or horseflesh will be used for human or animal consumption, and provides penalties for violation.
This bill comes at a time when the debate rages in Washington DC, to permanently ban the practice of horse slaughter and close the loophole that allows for the transportation of horses to Mexico and Canada for exactly those purposes. While horse slaughter facilities are no longer allowed to operate in the United States (since 2007 due to provisions included in the annual appropriations legislation, prohibiting the use of federal funds to inspect them), such directives only apply on an annual fiscal year and must be renewed every twelve months by Congress. In 2021, HORSEPOWER successfully lead efforts in New York to outlaw the sale or transport of thoroughbred and standardbred horses for the purposes of slaughter, a strong first step, however, this follow up legislation will make implementation of the original law more effective, as it is difficult for officers stopping a trailer headed to the border to determine what breed each equine is.
We ask that you make TWO CALLS. One to your Assembly and Senate Representatives in the next few days.
To identify your Senate member, simply log onto https://www.nysenate.gov/find-my-senator
The Senate switchboard number is 518-455-2800
To identify you Assembly Member, simply log onto https://nyassembly.gov/mem/search/
The Assembly Switchboard Number is 518-455-4100
Script: I am a constituent calling on behalf of (BILL NUMBER), an act to protect horses from being sold or transferred for purposes of slaughter. I am urging my representative to stand strong on this initiative and in doing so, recognize that equines have, for centuries, benefitted the world and served to advance humankind. Yet for all their value and the joy they bring to us, equines and their kin often suffer from inhumane treatment by the very industries they benefit. I ask that you help put an end to this this session and pass (INSERT BILL NUMBER). Thank you.