Horses Don't Deserve Slaughter
Giamo Jackson Carter
Mr. Wickenhauser
English 4
April 9, 2013
Governor Mary Fallin of Oklahoma lifted the states’ fifty year old ban on horse slaughtering on March 29, 2013. The governor signed a new law that will allow facilities to process and export horse meat for human consumption. In a state where there is an estimated 326,000 horses some Oklahoman slaughter supporters believe that horse slaughtering facilities will provide a humane alternative for aging or starving horses. There are hundreds of horses that because of economic hardship are thrown out and abandoned by owners. Governor Fallin has shared her opinion on the matter by saying to the media, “In Oklahoma, as in other states, abuse is tragically common among horses that are reaching the end of their natural lives. Those of us who care about the wellbeing of horses, and we all should, cannot be satisfied with a status quo that encourages abuse and neglect, or that rewards the potentially inhumane slaughter of animals in foreign countries.” However, there are people that are very strongly against the slaughtering of horses. Cynthia Armstrong, the organization’s Oklahoma state director had very solemn words to say on the issue. “It’s a very sad day for Oklahoma and the welfare of the horses that will be exposed to a facility like this. It’s very regrettable.” People who are anti-slaughter do not only believe that the welfare of horses is being compromised, but they also believe that horse slaughter for human consumption could pose a threat to human health and safety. The issue around whether horses should be slaughtered is a national one and has many different opinions. I believe that horses should not be slaughtered because the slaughtering process is inhumane; horses are different than other farm animals and it is unsafe to eat horses.
Jennifer Kunz who works with Duchess Sanctuary, a 1,120 acre facility which was established in 2008 in Oakland, Oregon, as a safe haven for abused, abandoned,
Mr. Wickenhauser
English 4
April 9, 2013
Governor Mary Fallin of Oklahoma lifted the states’ fifty year old ban on horse slaughtering on March 29, 2013. The governor signed a new law that will allow facilities to process and export horse meat for human consumption. In a state where there is an estimated 326,000 horses some Oklahoman slaughter supporters believe that horse slaughtering facilities will provide a humane alternative for aging or starving horses. There are hundreds of horses that because of economic hardship are thrown out and abandoned by owners. Governor Fallin has shared her opinion on the matter by saying to the media, “In Oklahoma, as in other states, abuse is tragically common among horses that are reaching the end of their natural lives. Those of us who care about the wellbeing of horses, and we all should, cannot be satisfied with a status quo that encourages abuse and neglect, or that rewards the potentially inhumane slaughter of animals in foreign countries.” However, there are people that are very strongly against the slaughtering of horses. Cynthia Armstrong, the organization’s Oklahoma state director had very solemn words to say on the issue. “It’s a very sad day for Oklahoma and the welfare of the horses that will be exposed to a facility like this. It’s very regrettable.” People who are anti-slaughter do not only believe that the welfare of horses is being compromised, but they also believe that horse slaughter for human consumption could pose a threat to human health and safety. The issue around whether horses should be slaughtered is a national one and has many different opinions. I believe that horses should not be slaughtered because the slaughtering process is inhumane; horses are different than other farm animals and it is unsafe to eat horses.
Jennifer Kunz who works with Duchess Sanctuary, a 1,120 acre facility which was established in 2008 in Oakland, Oregon, as a safe haven for abused, abandoned,
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