Slaughter is ok, abuse, not so much

by Elizabeth Saunders
(Nashville, TN USA)

I would just like to say that I wouldn't have an issue with horse slaughter if the proper regulations with respect to the humane treatment of the animals were enacted and followed. That means finding some way of ensuring that slaughter animals are treated humanely prior to slaughter. I tend to think of horse slaughter like organ donation, only we don't always kill human donars (but sometimes we do; mainly with people who have been in accidents and who are on life-support, who have no brain activity, and who have no hope of recovering).
I think of horse slaughter this way because their bodies are used in a whole bunch of productive ways. We need dog food. We need glue. Zoo animals need food, and I need Jello.
If a horse is dying, injured to the point of no longer being able to lead a fulfilling life (like not being able to stand up and walk anymore), or has been the victim of gross negligence in his care and training and has come to represent a danger to himself, other horses, or humans--maybe it's ok to put that horse down. We euthanize dogs and cats all the time in the same situations, and we incinerate their bodies. At least horses have something to offer, even in death.
Also, have you ever had to bury a horse? Not exactly practical.
But the obscene manner in which slaughter animals are treated causes the entire practice to be called into question. A MUCH greater effort should be made to ensure that slaughter animals are treated humanely, greater penalties should be asessed to those who dare treat the animals with wanton disregard, and yes, we should help each other arrive at practical solutions to help horse owners when they run out of options in terms of financing their hobby--because it's not like their hobby is knitting--it involves a 1200+ pound, living, breathing animal. We should all do more to fund rescue organizations, we should all pitch in and volunteer some of our time, and we should all do more to ensure our voices are heard with respect to this issue. The "spay or neuter your pet" people have Sarah Mclachlan all over the TV singing and looking all doe-eyed in order to get their particlar message across, and it's effective. I wonder how many people know what many horses go through at the end of their often too-short lives.