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Federal Action Alert: The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act Reintroduced in Congress

Bill Number: H.R. 503/S. 311
Sponsor(s): Representatives Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Nick Rahall (D-WV), John Spratt (D-SC); Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and John Ensign (R-NV)
ASPCA Position: Support
Action Needed: Send a letter to your senators and representative now and urge them to support the Horse Slaughter Prevention Act!

Update, 4/26/07: On Wednesday, April 25, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation voted to move this important bill to the entire Senate for a vote, without making any changes to it. Please take action on this legislation if you have not already done so. We’ll let you know when the Senate vote is imminent.

Update, 4/23/07: On April 25, the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will meet to “mark-up” S. 311, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. The Senate committee will decide on language that will be presented to the full Senate for a vote. It is vital that senators hear from their constituents on this issue—particularly the 23 senators on this committee. Whether or not they are members of the committee, we ask everyone to please call your senators and urge them to support this important legislation and move it to the full Senate for a vote right away! Click here to see if one of your senators is on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

Last year, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. Unfortunately, Congress recessed for the year before the Senate had a chance to vote on the measure. As a result, the bill died and had to be reintroduced in both houses of Congress this year. The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA), H.R. 503/S. 311, has now been reintroduced by the 110th Congress! The bill would prohibit the transport, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of any horse to be slaughtered for human consumption.

Last year, over 100,000 American horses were killed in the United States and shipped to Europe and Japan for human consumption. Every week that Congress fails to take action on the AHSPA, thousands of American horses will be slaughtered and sent overseas.

Additionally, the transport of horses to slaughter houses is often extremely inhumane. Many horses are injured even before reaching the slaughter plant due to overcrowded conditions during transport. Some are shipped for more than 24 hours at a time without food, water or rest. In addition, the methods used to slaughter these horses once they arrive at the plant can be exceptionally inhumane. The horses are often forced to endure repeated stuns or blows, and often remain conscious during their slaughter.

H.R. 503 and S. 311 would put an end to this cruel and inhumane practice by effectively prohibiting horse slaughter in the U.S. for human consumption.

Thank you for your support last year, and please help us advance this important legislation once again. Contact your senators and representative now and urge them to support and cosponsor H.R. 503/S. 311. Take action now!

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News Release by FDA - June 19, 2008

FDA Requests Seizure of Animal Food Products at PETCO Distribution Center

Today, at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Marshals seized various animal food products stored under unsanitary conditions at the PETCO Animal Supplies Distribution Center located in Joliet, Ill., pursuant to a warrant issued by the United States District Court in Chicago.

U.S. Marshals seized all FDA-regulated animal food susceptible to rodent and pest contamination. The seized products violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act because it was alleged in a case filed by the United States Attorney that they were being held under unsanitary conditions. (The Act uses the term “insanitary” to describe such conditions).

During an FDA inspection of a PETCO distribution center in April, widespread and active rodent and bird infestation was found. The FDA inspected the facility again in May and found continuing and widespread infestation.

“We simply will not allow a company to store foods under filthy and unsanitary conditions that occur as a direct result of the company’s failure to adequately control and prevent pests in its facility,” said Margaret O’K. Glavin, associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. “Consumers expect that such safeguards will be in place not only for human food, but for pet food as well.”

The distribution center in Joliet, Ill., provides pet food products and supplies to PETCO retail stores in 16 states including Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.

FDA has no reports of pet illness or death associated with consumption of animal food distributed by PETCO, and does not have evidence that the food is unsafe for animals. However, the seized products were in permeable packages and held under conditions that could affect the food’s integrity and quality.

As a precaution, consumers who have handled products originating from the PETCO distribution center should thoroughly wash their hands with hot water and soap. Any surfaces that came in contact with the packages should be washed as well. Consumers are further advised as a precaution to thoroughly wash products sold in cans and glass containers from PETCO in the 16 affected states.

If a pet has become ill after eating these food products, pet owners should contact their veterinarian and report illnesses to FDA state consumer complaint coordinators.